If you enjoy spicy foods, try this hot & spicy party mix recipe. This simple yet flavorful snack is sure to be a hit! Additionally, this recipe is gluten-free, using Chex cereal and a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
A Spicy Twist on Classic Chex Mix
I make a Chex Mix with crushed pepper and hot sauce, which is always a popular snack. However, I often noticed several add-ins, such as pretzels, left at the container’s bottom. After seeing this several times, I concluded that most people preferred the rice and corn cereal and were less fond of the add-ins and the wheat cereal. To accommodate these preferences, I created a recipe with just three ingredients: rice cereal, corn cereal, and nuts. Then, I added crushed red pepper and hot sauce to give it a moderate heat level.
Customization Options for Hot & Spicy Party Mix
This recipe is easy to modify to suit your taste. For instance, if you like to add crackers, simply remove one cup of cereal for every cup of crackers added. This way, you can maintain a balanced sauce ratio to dry ingredients.
Ideas for Add-Ins for Hot & Spicy Party Mix
If you enjoy add-ins in your party mix, consider these options:
- Bite-size cheese crackers
- Oyster crackers
- Pretzels
- Bugles
- Potato sticks
- Wheat Chex cereal
- Sesame sticks
- Goldfish crackers
- Cheerios
Note: Remember to remove 1 cup of cereal for every cup of add-ins used.
Gluten-Free Hot & Spicy Party Mix
To make this a gluten-free snack, use Rice and Corn Chex. Be careful with other rice and corn cereals, as some may contain barley malt, which isn’t gluten-free. Opt for a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, such as French’s or Lea and Perrins. Most add-ins may contain gluten, so avoid those if you want a gluten-free mix.
Overnight Drying in Oven
You can dry the party mix overnight in the oven for an extra crispy mix. After baking for one hour and 15 minutes, turn off the oven and leave the pans inside overnight or for a few hours. By morning, the mix should be crispy and dry. Store it in a covered container.
Shelf Life
You can keep this party mix for a few weeks in an airtight container.
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Hot & Spicy Party Mix
Equipment
- 1 extra large bowl or pan with deep sides
- 2 large baking sheets
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter (use salted or unsalted)
- 6 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (use gluten-free)
- 4 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank's Hot Sauce or equivalent)
- 4 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 7 cups Chex Rice cereal
- 7 cups Chex Corn cereal
- 2 cups mixed nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in a measuring cup or bowl. Add the Worcestershire, hot sauce, crushed red pepper, sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, and thyme. Stir to mix well.
- Add the cereal to an extra-large bowl or pan that can accommodate all the ingredients. Pour the prepared sauce over the cereal and stir until evenly coated, ensuring no excess liquid is at the bottom. Stir in the nuts.
- Split the party mix between two large baking sheets, spreading each into a flat layer.
- Bake both sheets for 90 minutes, stirring every 15-20 minutes, until the cereal is crispy. If any cereal remains damp after an hour, continue baking in 15-minute increments until done. Cool completely before storing in a covered container.