How to Make Chex Mix from Scratch
Chex mix is a popular snack mix that combines a variety of ingredients, including Chex cereal, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. It’s a versatile snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day or as a quick pick-me-up. In this article, we’ll show you how to make chex mix from scratch, using a simple recipe that’s easy to follow and customize to your taste.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups assorted Chex cereals (Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, etc.)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc.)
- 1 cup pretzel sticks
- 1 cup puffed rice
- 1/2 cup puffed wheat
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the Chex cereals, nuts, pretzels, puffed rice, and puffed wheat.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
- Add the oil and Worcestershire sauce: Add the vegetable oil and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
- Add the dried fruits: Add the dried cranberries and cherries to the mixture and stir until they’re evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture: Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the mixture: Bake the mixture for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure it’s evenly toasted.
- Let it cool: Let the mixture cool completely before breaking it up into individual portions.
Tips and Variations:
- Customize the recipe: Feel free to customize the recipe to your taste by adding or substituting different ingredients.
- Use different types of nuts: Try using different types of nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to add variety to the recipe.
- Add some heat: If you like spicy food, add some red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos to the mixture.
- Make it a trail mix: Mix the chex mix with other ingredients, such as dried fruit, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes, to create a trail mix.
Table: Ingredients and Nutrition Information
| Ingredient | Quantity | Nutrition Information |
|---|---|---|
| Chex cereals | 6 cups | 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 2g protein |
| Mixed nuts | 1 cup | 170 calories, 14g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 4g protein |
| Pretzel sticks | 1 cup | 120 calories, 8g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 2g protein |
| Puffed rice | 1/2 cup | 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Puffed wheat | 1/2 cup | 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Dried cranberries | 1/2 cup | 60 calories, 0g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Dried cherries | 1/2 cup | 60 calories, 0g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Brown sugar | 1/2 cup | 100 calories, 0g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup | 100 calories, 0g fat, 20g carbohydrates, 1g protein |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/4 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Ground cloves | 1/4 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons | 190 calories, 22g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
| Onion powder | 1 teaspoon | 0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g protein |
Conclusion:
Making chex mix from scratch is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to customize the recipe to your taste. With this simple recipe, you can create a delicious and addictive snack mix that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a quick snack. Whether you’re a fan of sweet and salty flavors or prefer a more savory mix, this recipe has something for everyone. So go ahead, get creative, and make your own chex mix from scratch!