Firecracker Chex Mix (Spicy Snack Mix)
This homemade Firecracker Chex Mix combines the classic party mix flavors with a fiery spicy kick! A perfect treat for parties, holidays, gatherings, or a flavorful snack.
Why You’ll Love This
It’s super easy to make, tastes much better than prepackaged Chex Mix, and feeds a crowd!
It’s a spicy party mix full of flavor, a savory, crunchy snack sure to satisfy. My method of mixing the seasoning in the pan keeps the number of dirty dishes to a minimum.
I like to make our snack mixes to control what goes in them. My recipe for spicy snack mix combines the basic Chex cereals, add-ins, and common household spices.
Check out some of our other favorite snack and party recipes, such as Cheddar Cheese and Herb Straws, Dill Oyster Crackers, Dill Pickle Chex Mix, Firecracker Cheez-Itz, and Praline Crunch Snack Mix.
How to Make Firecracker Chex Mix
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Place the butter in a large roasting pan and melt it while the oven is preheating.
When the butter is completely melted in the pan, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, dry ranch seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add the cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels, and cheese crackers.
Bake for 1 hour, gently stirring every 15 minutes.
Tips
- I always skip mixing the Chex mix in a bowl and mix everything in the baking sheet. It saves time and cleanup.
- Be sure to fold and toss gently so you don’t break up the cereal too much.
- I prefer my lasagna pan over a low-rimmed baking sheet. It keeps it more contained and is much easier to use.
Variations
- Adjust the heat level to your liking.
- Chex Mix recipes are easily adaptable to your taste. Use Cheez-Itz, Gold Fish, pita chips, Bugels, Cheerios, bagel chips, pretzel sticks, or oyster crackers. Use all of one kind of nut, such as peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews.
FAQs
Yes. But I prefer the oven over the microwave for the Chex mix.
Add the Chex mix ingredients to a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in a small bowl, whisk in the remaining ingredients, pour it over the cereal mixture, and gently toss to coat evenly.
Cook in the microwave for 5 minutes, gently stirring at every one-minute interval. Spread it on a flat surface (such as parchment paper or a large baking sheet) to cool completely.
This snack mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
You can, but it will likely change the crunchy texture after thawing. I don’t recommend freezing this snack mix.
More Delicious Party Mix Recipes
Firecracker Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup Itty Bitty Mini pretzels
- 1 cup Mixed nuts
- 1 cup Cheez-Itz crackers
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter melted
- 3 tbsp Dry ranch seasoning 1 ounce package
- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Red pepper flakes more or less to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- In a large roasting pan with sides melt the butter while the oven is preheating.1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, dry ranch seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Add the cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels, and cheese crackers. Toss gently to coat evenly.3 cups Corn Chex cereal, 3 cups Wheat Chex cereal, 3 cups Rice Chex cereal, 1 cup Itty Bitty Mini pretzels, 1 cup Mixed nuts, 3 tbsp Dry ranch seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder, 1 tsp Onion powder, 2 tsp Red pepper flakes, 1 cup Cheez-Itz crackers
- Bake for 1 hour, gently stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely before serving.