Table of Contents
  1. Watch how to make this herb party mix:
  2. Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
  3. Brown Butter Herb Party Mix Recipe

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I don’t think anything smells more reminiscent of growing up than party mix. I knew the seasons were changing as soon as I started to smell that buttery, garlicky, and Worcestershire-filled scent emanating from the kitchen.

The original recipe was posted in an advertisement in Life magazine in the 1950s. Recipes were often included as part of an ad to help push a certain product. I always wonder if the first person who actually made party mix from the recipe thought it was odd, but decided to give it a try anyway. Maybe once they made it, their eyes bulged out and they exclaimed that this was the best thing ever! Honestly, I still have that reaction sometimes.

Baking pan sitting on white surface filled with cereal pieces and pretzels all toasted slightly in the oven

Party mix is ever-evolving. No matter whose party mix I try, there are often an innumerable amount of different additions. I remember in high school, my friend’s family added Cheerios. I know others who add cheese crackers. The list is truly endless. I think that’s the real draw of party mix: you can make it your own and add whatever you want!

My grandma was a perfector of anything she made. In her later years, she didn’t make as much as she always had, but the recipes she did make were always perfect. Party mix was one of them. Each ingredient was important and it was one of the few times that name brand varieties were important to her.

Close up view of piece of Corn Chex cereal sitting on top of other pieces of cereal and pretzels, all browned in the oven

For years, I too only stuck with the recipe as it was written in our family. I would always pick out the pieces I loved the most and often leave others I didn’t care for as much. Finally, I started making it just how I wanted. Grandma’s flavors were great, but this revised recipe really amps them up in a few important ways:

  • Butter. To start, the butter is browned. Big surprise there, I know. If you follow me regularly, I tend to switch out regular butter for browned butter. You know why? Well, something magical happens when the milk solids in the butter toast and turn brown. The flavor becomes nutty and caramelly.
  • Herbs. This is called herb party mix, so rosemary and thyme are cooked alongside the butter. While the butter sputters and cooks, the herbs release their oils and become crisp.
  • Spices. The spices in this party mix are pretty classic, but I increase their traditionally conservative amounts. That translates into a punch of flavor that’s a bit more noticeable than the regular recipe.
Top down view of herb party mixed sitting in baking pan after being slightly browned in the oven

The mix-ins remain true to Grandma’s form with just a few additions:

  • Chex cereal is always found in any party mix, that’s the whole point. I like the Corn Chex variety best for its sturdiness.
  • Wheat Chex is classic in our family and the heartiness is needed.
  • I love a sweet-salty vibe, so Oat Squares cereal is a must. They’re little pockets of sweetness which become savory with the butter mixture.
  • Some pretzels add a saltiness that’s welcome. For me, I scale back on the quantity, because they were never my favorite, but I know they’re needed.
  • Grandma always used Parmesan fish crackers and it now feels like home.
  • You can’t forget about the sesame sticks!
  • Instead of just peanuts, which is what my Grandma traditionally used, I add in deluxe mixed nuts. They’re oversized, have all the fun varieties, and are the exact treat needed at Christmas.

This all becomes the ultimate party mix, which is why I tend to only make it at Christmas. To be honest, it really should be on constant repeat throughout the year. Maybe that’s should be a New Year’s resolution this year? Sounds good to me!

Watch how to make this herb party mix:

YouTube video

Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Top down view of browned pieces of cereal, pretzels, and nuts sitting on top of each other all on baking sheet after being toasted in the oven

Brown Butter Herb Party Mix

4.61 from 53 votes
With hints of some sweetness, this salty treat is the perfect snack for the holidays! It's amped up with flavors of thyme and rosemary and made so much better with brown butter!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 26 servings

Ingredients

  • 12 tbsp (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp seasoning salt
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
  • 2 cups Oat Square cereal
  • 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
  • 1 cup Parmesan fish crackers
  • 1 cup sesame sticks
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • 2 cups mixed nuts

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 275°F.
  • To start, brown the butter. In an 8-inch skillet, melt the butter with the thyme and rosemary over medium heat. Once melted, continue to cook until the foaming slows down and the butter becomes a deep golden color and smells nutty, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.
    12 tbsp (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, 1 sprig fresh thyme, 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • While the butter is cooling, in a large bowl, combine the Corn Chex, Oat Squares, Wheat Chex, Parmesan fish crackers, sesame sticks, pretzels, and mixed nuts. Stir to combine and set aside.
    4 cups Corn Chex cereal, 2 cups Oat Square cereal, 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal, 1 cup Parmesan fish crackers, 1 cup sesame sticks, 1 cup pretzels, 2 cups mixed nuts
  • Once the butter has cooled, remove the thyme and rosemary, and set aside. Add the onion and garlic powder, seasoning salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk to combine.
    1 ½ tsp onion powder, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp seasoning salt, 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Drizzle a few tablespoons of prepared butter mixture over the party mix and stir well. Continue to drizzle and stir in small amounts to ensure the cereal mixture is evenly coated.
  • Pour onto two parchment-lined baking sheets. Spread out to an even layer and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring and switching racks every 15 minutes.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven. Cool 20 minutes and serve or store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to one month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 230kcal
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Difficulty Easy
Method Baking

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Kaleb

I’m Kaleb! I'm not a chef, professional baker, landscaper, or designer, but I like to play each on Knollgate Farm. Come join me on my journey and let's learn together!

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4.61 from 53 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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30 Comments

  1. Can’t wait to try this recipe tomorrow.
    I may have to substitute one of the ingredients as I’m not sure it’s available here in Canada. Love all your recipes but more so love watching your videos…you are a delight Kaleb…thank you!

  2. Don’t even know why I questioned it! All of your recipes have been the best!! I was totally impatient waiting the hour for it to cook in the oven, to taste it! But I had to know how good it was so I could make a second batch to share!The house did smell amazing! Keep on doing what you do, you are inspiring many people, I believe!

  3. 5 stars
    Our family loves traditional chex mix but I saw the video and it sounded so good. We made it yesterday and it is our new favorite and will be making this recipe from now on. Yum!

  4. Kaleb-love this! Just for my own waistline’s sake, how much really is a serving here based off of the nutritional list?😬👍🏻

  5. 5 stars
    This sounds really good. I will have to try this for Christmas this year for our holiday parties we have at our home. I make a Tex-Mex mix I found in a Goose Berry Patch cookbook years ago. It’s always a hit at our parties. Instead of making it in the oven, you cook it in a slow cooker on low, UNCOVERED stirring occasionally. So, this year I will have to have 2 different snack mixes set out because yours sounds so good too. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  6. Just wanted you to know I was so surprised when I found out that you went to EMC. I just thought that was so cool. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much. Thank you for the service you provide. God bless you, and Merry Christmas.
    Jennie😊

  7. 5 stars
    Made this recipe yesterday morning and looks like I will be making more. This yummy party mix disappeared so fast I was scrambling to find something else to put in the bowl. I liked it didn’t have the usual ingredients, but looked upscaled with the sesame sticks and mixed nuts. The brown butter and herbs makes this mix AMAZING. Just wanted you to know we love this recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness!! Every year I look for a savory treat to give to friends, neighbors, etc. as I don’t like to bake ( I know, I know). I’ve been holding on to this recipe for a while. I had to make a couple of changes per supply issues. There were no corn Chex to be had and thyme was also a no go. I subbed life cereal and had to forgo the thyme. Luckily I have fresh rosemary. It still came out AMAZING and my home smells fabulous!! Thank you Kaleb for another keeper! Next year I’m stocking up earlier; lesson learned.

  9. 5 stars
    The first time I made this, I left out the rosemary and thyme. Don’t do it! In the second batch, I infused the herbs in the brown butter and the result was spectacular. I couldn’t really taste the herbs specifically but the mix had such great flavour. I also infused a couple of cloves of minced garlic in the butter with the herbs and eliminated the granulated garlic. Best party mix I’ve ever had. Thanks Kaleb!

  10. Which Oat Squares do I buy. I made it once and it’s soooo good!!
    But there is Brown Sugar and Cinnamon. Thanks!!

  11. I made this last night. It is so good. I did add an additional Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce and added two Tbsp of real Maple syrup. Delicious and great for a holiday gift.

  12. 5 stars
    Oh, my God, Kaleb! A friend just gave me this recipe!. I am known for making “traditional party mix” for Christmas, send to my son in Seattle. Make it for son here every time I know he’s coming around. But this “new” version is the ULTIMATE! I always put in my “W” sauce, and yours calls for more, too! I LOVE the sesame stix and the Quaker oat squares!!! And of course the little fishies… Going to see son in Seattle this weekend and going to surprise them with this! They even gave me empty containers this year when I visited in anticipation of me making more this Christmas. Boy, this new version is a MUST! I can’t thank you — and my friend who put me on to this recipe — ENOUGH!!! I will be eating daily as a treat. THANK YOU!!! P.S. (I only had thyme and rosemary (organic) in containers, but noticed they separated from butter when done cooking so discarded. Hated to, but the flavors are in the butter now, right? It’s all GOOD!! THX! Lisa

  13. 5 stars
    I cannot wait for this to get out of the oven! Do I really have to wait (lol)

    The herbs and the oatmeal squares are perfect modifications!!

  14. 5 stars
    This was GREAT. Don’t skip the brown butter, the fresh herbs, or the spices, they all really do work together to make this a big step up from a “regular” Chex Mix. I made this twice and the second time I couldn’t find the mixed nuts I wanted, so I used all pecan halves and I loved that even more. This is such a good recipe. Great for an elevated bar snack or for giving away.

  15. 5 stars
    This is the best recipie ever! I have numerous requests from family to make several times a year. The brown butter and fresh herbs take it yo another level!

  16. 5 stars
    You hit this out of the park! The thyme and rosemary elevate this to a whole new level. Love all the helpful info you give as well! I don’t brown butter often, and have had a couple mishaps, but not since following your guidelines! Great recipe! Great host! Really do enjoy your videos!

  17. 5 stars
    This is delish! The herbs really shine in this! Couldn’t find sesame sticks or oat squares so I did without. Still really good

  18. Plz tell me if I don’t have the fresh herbs do the dried work @ all? I wouldn’t want to buy all the stuff to make it & you can’t even taste the herbs. Any suggestion besides the dry??

  19. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe twice now. We love it. It’s one of my teenagers favorite snacks. The brown herb butter just elevates the entire thing. Thank you Kalub for all of your amazing content. I have never been disappointed in anything you make. thank you!!!