Crispy cereal and seasonings - what's not to love about party mix? These three recipes give you sweet and savory options to serve at your next gathering.
Chex Party Mix Recipe
Contributed by Cheryl Cirelli, Event Planner
This standard party mix started the trend. If you're going to offer just one of these mixes, this is the one most people will expect. This recipe yields 13 cups of mix and will serve about 26 people based on a 1/2 cup serving size.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of each: Corn, Rice, and Wheat Chex cereal
- 1 cup of mixed nuts
- 1 cup of pretzels
- 1 cup of bite size bagel chips
- 1 cup cheese crackers
- 8 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
Instructions for Microwave Preparation
- Place cereal, nuts, bagel chips, pretzels and crackers in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- In a separate bowl, melt butter on high for 40 seconds or until melted.
- Stir all seasonings into butter and pour over the cereal.
- Stir until cereal is completely coated.
- Microwave mixture on highest power for 5 minutes. Stir after the first 2 minutes and return to microwave for final 3 minutes.
- Allow mixture to cool on paper towels or on a baking sheet.
Instruction for Oven Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat and then add seasonings.
- Pour mixture over cereal and toss until well-coated. Spread on one or more ungreased baking sheets and bake for 1 hour.
- Let the mix cool on a paper towel or baking sheet.
Ranch Party Mix Recipe
Contributed by Beth Asaff
Ranch seasoning is always popular, so this mix should be a hit at your party too. The recipe yields about 4 cups of mix which will serve about 8 people based on 1/2 cup serving per person.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 cup small pretzels
- 1 cup Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup Wheat Chex cereal
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
- Spread the cereal, nuts and pretzels in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and pour the butter mixture on top.
- Stir and toss the cereal to coat thoroughly with butter and ranch seasonings.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Serve hot or cold.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cereal Party Mix
Contributed by Cheryl Cirelli, Event Planner
This sweet party mix is a little more dessert-like and would be great at any gathering, but it's especially fun to offer at a teen party, Halloween, or Christmas celebration. This recipe yields about 9 cups of mix and will serve approximately 18 people based on a 1/2 cup serving size.
Ingredients
- 9 cups of Crispix cereal
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup M&Ms candies
- 1 cup peanuts
Instructions
- Combine peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl.
- Microwave for one minute and then stir until all ingredients are blended completely.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and stir.
- Place the Crispix cereal in a separate large bowl and pour the melted mixture over, stirring until all the cereal is coated.
- In a large Ziploc bag, place the powdered sugar and slowly begin adding the cereal mixture to the bag.
- You will want to leave room in the bag, so you can shake the mixture to coat it with the powdered sugar.
- This process can be repeated until all the cereal mix has been coated in the powdered sugar.
- Pour the mix from the bag into a large serving bowl. Stir in the M&Ms and peanuts before serving.
Storing Your Party Mix
These party mixes can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days before serving if you want them to be their freshest. Leftovers may be stored in the same manner for another week. Although you may find other recommendations that give longer storage times, it's really best to just store no longer than two weeks at the maximum and treat yourself to another freshly made batch if you want more.
Snack On
These party mixes can be addicting, so remember to keep your total number of expected guests in mind and plan to make multiple batches if you think you'll need them. If you have leftovers at the end of your event, set out baggies so your guests can take a scoop for the road.
