Spicy Chex Mix

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Looking for a delicious twist on the classic snack mix? Try Spicy Chex Mix! Infused with just the right amount of cayenne pepper, this savory snack packs a punch and is sure to be a hit at your next party. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly, making it perfect for meal prep or snacking on the go.

Try our Honey Roasted Nuts next!

A bowl of the bold chex mix.

Oven Baked Chex Mix

NOTE: This recipe has been updated. Instead of using hot sauce in this spicy chex mix recipe, I modified it to use cayenne pepper.

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Tell me. Do you eat Chex mix by ingredient? For instance, do you pick all the pretzels out first and work your way around the rest? Do you eat it by the handful? Or do you place it in a bowl and eat one piece at a time?

While these questions may not seem important, I beg to differ. I want to know how you eat your snacks!

Me? I eat one ingredient at a time and rotate through them. I also like to eat this spicy snack straight out of the bag! 😀

Why This Recipe Works:

  • SIMPLE – This spicy snack mix uses simple ingredients. The original recipe is yummy but this one is even better!
  • SPICY – We added a spicy kick to the original chex mix recipe. As you may know, I can never get enough spicy foods!
  • TASTY – Your taste buds will love this homemade chex mix. This is a perfect snack to munch on during a weekend Netflix binge!
  • TEXAS TRASH – While our favorite snack may be called Texas Trash in some circles, I’m still gonna say it originated in Iowa. LOL
A bowl of the chex mix without m&ms.

(Scroll by if you don’t want to read about the history of this recipe.)

Memories

It’s all about the memories. Two words –> Lake Okoboji. (The best part of my childhood summers!)

My family always spent at least a week or more at Lake Okoboji (in Iowa) every summer of my childhood and beyond, oftentimes with some cousins, aunts, and uncles. Mom and Dad would rent a place and the eight of us would cram in and fully partake in life at the lake.

We’d live in our swimsuits, turn bright red from the sun (in the days of no sunscreen), go boating for hours at a time (and swim off the boat/eat picnics in the boat). We’d cook breakfast on the grill, shop at the clubhouse ($1 per kid per day went a long way back in the day), play flashlight tag and kick the can, fish off the dock, swim in any water temperature, and end the day with a smear of sunburn ointment before collapsing in our beds each night.

And then there were the snacks that we couldn’t get enough of. The Twizzlers and lollipops, cheesy meat dips and chips, veggie and cheese platters, and TUBS of party mix. Yes, we ate chex mix out of old recycled ice cream tubs. Mom would freeze them weeks ahead of our trips in preparation and we were so happy.

A hand reaching for a bowl of spicy chex mix.

Ingredients needed to make Spicy Chex Mix:

The only difference between my mom’s party mix and mine is the seasoning and maybe some of the mix-ins. This recipe is really easy and stays fresh in the freezer for several months.

The seasoning blend:

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and cayenne pepper.

The mix-ins (ANY combo):

  • Chex cereal – Use your favorite types of chex cereal.
  • Pretzels
  • Bugles
  • Peanuts
  • Others – Cheese-Its, Wheat Thins, Goldfish, Cheerios, Bagel Chips, etc.

How to make Spicy Chex Party Mix:

Step 1
Prep. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Prepare a sheet pan with baking spray (or parchment paper).

Step 2
Combine the dry ingredients. Combine 13-14 cups of dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You can combine any snacks you like, but I used corn chex, rice chex, wheat chex, bugles, pretzels, and peanuts. I occasionally use various other snacks too.

Step 3
Combine the seasoning blend. In a measuring cup, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings (seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper). Mix well and then pour over the dry ingredients. Stir well.

A measuring cup of the seasoning mix.

Step 4
Bake. Spread the chex mix on the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Step 5
Dry. Spread some paper towels on the kitchen counter. Then spoon the chex mix on the paper towels to dry.

A pan of the spicy chex mix.

Step 6
Repeat. Repeat the process (if desired) until you run out of ingredients. I normally make multiple batches to use up most of the snacks I’ve bought for this recipe.

Step 7
Sprinkle on add-ins. After the mix is cooled, add M&Ms and/or raisins (if desired).

Storing and Freezing Spicy Chex Mix:

  • STORING. This Chex mix stores well on your countertop in an airtight container for about a week. I often times put it in a large jar for convenient munching. 😀
  • FREEZING. You can freeze Chex mix in a freezer bag for up to six months or so. It’s yummy cold too!
Closeup on a bowl of chex mix with m&ms.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue

A bowl of the spicy chex mix with m&ms.

Spicy Chex Mix

Looking for a delicious twist on the classic snack mix? Try Spicy Chex Mix! Infused with just the right amount of cayenne pepper, this savory snack packs a punch and is sure to be a hit at any party. Plus, it's freezer-friendly, making it perfect for meal prep or snacking on the go.
4.50 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 14 cups
Calories: 311kcal
Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

For the snacks:

  • 3 cups corn chex
  • 3 cups rice chex
  • 2 cups wheat chex
  • 2 cups Bugles
  • 2 cups pretzels
  • 1 cup peanuts
  • M&Ms and/or raisins – optional (added after baking)

For the seasoning:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter – melted
  • 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt – like Lawry’s
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper – or more for extra spice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet with baking spray (or parchment paper).
  • Combine 13-14 cups of dry ingredients in a large bowl. You can combine any snacks you like, but I used corn chex, rice chex, wheat chex, bugles, pretzels, and peanuts. You can also use various other snacks.
  • In a measuring cup, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings (seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper). Mix well and then pour over the dry ingredients. Stir well.
  • Spread the cereal mixture on the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  • Spread some paper towels on the kitchen counter. Then spoon the chex mix on the paper towels to dry.
  • Repeat the process (if desired) until you run out of ingredients.
  • After the mix is cooled, add M&Ms and/or raisins (if desired).

Notes

  • Change up the mix-ins according to what you like best!
  • This mix stores well on the countertop, in an airtight container, for up to five days.
  • You can freeze the party mix, for up to six months.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 734mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 8mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

6 Comments

  1. It’s like popcorn, but better! All of a sudden, the bowl was empty!

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      Haha yes! It could be a problem!

  2. A fun dish to take to a party as an appetizer! Guaranteed to be a hit and gone quickly!

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      Yes and yes!! 🙂

    2. How long does last stored in an airtight container?

      1. Suebee Homemaker says:

        It should last a couple of weeks in an airtight container. However, I love to keep it in the freezer and just remove what I need. It’s even tasty straight out of the freezer!

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