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Why I Love This Party Mix
Growing up in Iowa, there was always some kind of snack mix tucked in a big Tupperware, kept in our slightly cool breezeway, once December hit. And still to this day, when Christmas music starts playing, Mom will ask if I’m making a big enough batch for the both of us or if she needs to make her own!
This sweet and smoky version feels like the grown-up cousin to that nostalgic party mix, but with just enough spice and a hint of sweetness to keep everyone reaching back into the bowl.
I love that it’s as easy as stirring together pantry staples, pouring on a buttery mixture, and letting the oven do the work. It keeps for a full month, so I can make it early in the season and have a go-to snack ready for when my sister’s family arrives at the farm or a last-minute holiday party snack.
Here is why you’ll love this party mix, too:
- Big batch recipe that’s perfect for holiday parties.
- A perfect ratio of smoky, sweet, and a little spice.
- Uses easy-to-find cereals, nuts, and pretzels.
- Keeps for up to a month, so it’s great for gifting and snacking.
This recipe originally appeared in my 2023 Holiday Guide, which is available to order!
Sweet & Smoky Party Mix Ingredients
A few unique ingredients make this party mix a delicious combination of sweet and smoky:
- Unsalted butter – The undeniably delicious ingredient that makes the spices cling to everything in the party mix.
- Smoked paprika – Brings the signature smoky flavor to this mix.
- Cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder – A classic mixture of flavors that make this snack mix super delicious.
- Cayenne pepper – Adds a gentle heat without making the mix too spicy.
- Seasoning salt – Seasons everything evenly with salt and savory flavor, so every handful is balanced.
- Light brown sugar – Gives a touch of sweetness that caramelizes slightly in the oven while balancing the smokiness.
- Worcestershire sauce – It’s the secret ingredient that makes this party mix so good.
- Corn Chex cereal, Oat Squares cereal, and Wheat Chex cereal – The trifecta of delicious cereals to use in a party mix, in my opinion.
- Cheerios cereal – Adds a hint of sweetness and a different shape.
- Sesame sticks – Bring an extra amount of crunch and a different shape for variety in every handful.
- Pretzels – A classic party mix addition; adds a bit more salt and texture to the mix.
- Mixed nuts – Make the mix feel hearty and a little bit indulgent.
How to Make This Smoky Party Mix
Mix – In a large bowl, combine the Corn Chex, Oat Squares, Wheat Chex, Cheerios, sesame sticks, pretzels, and mixed nuts. Stir to combine and set aside.
Make the butter – In a small saucepan, combine the butter, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, seasoning salt, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat and melt the butter, stirring as it melts to fully blend the spices and sugar into the butter mixture. Once the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Combine – Drizzle a few tablespoons of the butter mixture over the cereal and nut mixture and stir well to coat. Continue drizzling and stirring until all of the butter mixture is used, and everything looks evenly coated. Divide the coated mix between two parchment-lined baking sheets and spread into an even layer.
Bake in a preheated 225°F oven for 1 hour, stirring and switching the pans between racks every 15 minutes so the mix toasts evenly. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pans for about 20 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Stir often for even coating – Stirring every 15 minutes keeps the seasoning distributed and helps everything crisp up evenly.
- Taste and tweak the heat – You can always make this party mix more or less spiced. While the cayenne pepper and paprika add a gentle bit of warmth, you can always adjust this amount to suit your own personal preferences.
- Cool completely before storing – If any warmth or steam is trapped in the container, the mix will lose its crunch more quickly.
- Make it your own – The beautiful part of party mix is that you can swap in your favorite crackers or nuts, or leave out anything you are not a fan of. Just make sure to keep the total volume about the same.
Follow These Tips
Serving & Storage
To serve – Once the party mix has cooled, it’s ready to eat! Pile the party mix in a fun serving bowl (or a vintage Christmas tin if you’re like me) and set out at room temperature right before guests/friends arrive. This would work really well as an addition to a snack board alongside cheese, fruit, and a few sweets for an easy, no-cook appetizer spread.
To store – This party mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. If you make this during the summer or a humid time of year, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. For longer storage, place completely cooled mix in a freezer-safe, airtight container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Let it sit at room temperature before serving to take the chill off.
More Snack Recipes
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Sweet & Smoky Party Mix
Ingredients
- 12 tbsp (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp seasoning salt
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 2 cups Oatmeal Squares cereal
- 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 1 cup Cheerios cereal
- 1 cup sesame sticks
- 1 cup pretzels
- 2 cups mixed nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 225°F. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the Corn Chex, Oat Squares, Wheat Chex, Cheerios, sesame sticks, pretzels, and mixed nuts. Stir to combine and set aside.4 cups Corn Chex cereal, 2 cups Oatmeal Squares cereal, 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal, 1 cup sesame sticks, 1 cup pretzels, 2 cups mixed nuts, 1 cup Cheerios cereal
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, seasoning salt, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat to melt the butter. Stir the mixture while the butter is melting to evenly combine, 4 minutes. Once the butter is melted, remove the saucepan from the heat.12 tbsp (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, 3 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cumin, 1 ½ tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp seasoning salt, 3 tbsp light brown sugar, 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Drizzle a few tbsp of butter mixture over the mixture and stir. Continue until all of the butter mixture is used.
- Pour onto the baking sheets. Spread out to an even layer and bake in the preheated 225°F oven for 1 hour, stirring and switching racks every 15 minutes.
- Once baked, remove from oven, cool for 20 minutes, and serve or store for one month.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Oat squares cereal what is the brand name? I’m making this snack mix and can’t find this cereal.
Hi Julie! It is Quaker Oatmeal Squares. I hope this helps!