A Smoky Party Mix for Your Next Gathering

Chances are, you’ve had Chex Party Mix at least once in your life. Recipes for Chex Party Mix have been floating about since 1952. That’s a long time. However; that first recipe was nothing like the Party Mixes of today. No pretzels, or any chips. It was a blend of Wheat Chex, Rice Chex with Worcestershire Sauce, Butter, garlic, lots of salt and nuts that was baked in the oven.

Ralston Purina (yes, as in Pet Food) want people to eat lots and lots of their cereal. What better way then to come up with a party mix that featured to varieties of the brand? Chex Party Mixes became popular almost immediately. People made big batches for parties, or to eat while watching television. After all , television in the home was becoming a new pastime. Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook even featured a recipe.

By 1985, the makers of Chex Mix decided it was time for them to give the consumer what they wanted – packages of the Party Mix already made and seasoned to perfection. General Mills, the owners of the Chex Cereal brand, continue to print recipes on their various cereal boxes. It makes for a convenient stroll through the grocery store, much the same way at Christmas Time you’ll see shoppers with jars of Marshmallow Fluff in their hands shopping for fudge ingredients.

We’ve got New Year’s coming up. A great time to put out a few bowls of Smoky Party Mix. And then there’s the big game otherwise known as Super Bowl Sunday. Bowls and bowls of grab and gobble goodies are bound to be served. Party mixes ranks right up there with Chicken Wings when it comes to Super Bowl foods.

Smoky Party Mix
2 cups Crispy Corn Snack Crackers (Bugles)
2 cups Rice Cereal Squares (Rice Chex)
2 cups White Cheddar Squares (Cheez-Its)
1 cup Mini Pretzels
1 cup Smoked Almonds
6 tablespoons Butter
2 teaspoons Chipotle Powder
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Put Bugles, Rice Chex, Cheeze-Its, Mini Pretzels and smoked almonds in a large mixing bowl. Toss a few times to get the mix mixed. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat. Stir in the Chipotle Powder, smoked paprika, salt and garlic powder. Drizzle the seasoned butter over snack mixture, and toss to coat.

Spread mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the heated oven until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice during baking.

Let the mix cool completely on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.

Serve in popcorn containers, cups, bowls or paper cones and enjoy.

Author: Rosemarie's Kitchen

I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and avid home cook.I believe in eating healthy whenever possible, while still managing to indulge in life's pleasures. View all posts by Rosemarie's Kitchen