Party Snack Mix

This easy Party Snack Mix recipe is the kind of snack that everybody loves eating by the handful. It’s filled with Chex cereal, pretzels, Bugles, crackers, Cheetos and peanuts all coated in a seasoned butter sauce. Roasting turns it into a handheld treasure snack fans love to devour. 

Easy Party Snack Mix Recipe

Where did party snack mix originate? The cereal used in Party mix better known as Chex Mix, has been around since the 1930’s. While there are several theories in culinary circles about the origin of this snack, party mix is most likely the result of a desire to market cereal for uses other than eating it in a bowl with milk. The original wheat Chex cereal introduced in the mid 1930’s, had a texture more like shredded wheat. That recipe was changed in the early 1950’s to a more crunchy texture like we’re used to today. Subsequently, Rice Chex was introduced to the market and the recipe for Chex Mix was published on the box. So party mix has been around a very long time and enjoyed by generations of snack eaters.

Checkout the quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Chex Mix with Bugles: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Cereal Mixture– Square wheat, rice and corn cereal. You can use your favorite brand or a private label store brand.
• Mix-ins – Cheetos, mini pretzels, cheese crackers, Bugles and peanuts. You can have fun with this snack mix including your favorite cracker and pretzel flavors and variety of nuts.
• Sauce – Butter and worcestershire sauce for a buttery flavor.
• Spices – Seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin and a few dash of hot sauce.

How to Make the Best Party Snack Mix Recipe

• Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 250°F. DHave nearby a large rimmed sheet pan.
• Combine Ingredients – Either directly on the pan or in an x-large mixing bowl, mix together cereals, Cheetos, Bugles, pretzels and peanuts until evenly distributed.
• Transfer Mixture to Pan – Spread evenly on sheet pan. 
• Make Seasoned Butter – Melt the butter with seasonings. Add a few dashes of hot sauce to suit your taste.
• Combine – Stir until the seasonings have dissolved. Pour over cereal mixture and gently stir. 
• Oven – Place into the oven and bake per the cooking time in the recipe stopping to stir every 15 minutes. 
• Cool – Spread chez mix on parchment paper to cool completely.
• Store – Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Kitchen Equipment to Make Snack Mix with Bugles

• Extra large rimmed baking pan or 2 large sheet pans.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Medium microwave safe bowl.
• Extra large mixing bowl.
• Large spoon or rubber spatula for stirring.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Bugles are a Must for this Chex Mix – While Bugles aren’t necessarily a classic ingredient in the original snack mix, it’s a staple ingredient in our family’s party mix. Bugles were always in my Grandma’s kitchen waiting for us to enjoy when we visited and they hold a nostalgic place in my heart. I can’t imagine making a batch of chex mix without them. If you prefer to substitute, you could use Fritos, instead.
• Cereal – You could substitute another cereal such as Cheerios for a portion of the Chex cereal.
• Popcorn – Add caramel popcorn if you like sweet and salty flavors. You could also include cheesy popcorn or simple buttered popcorn.
• Crackers – There’s also flexibility to utilize different flavors of crackers. Cheez it crackers in party mix is classic, but you could add Italian flavored crackers, goldfish crackers, everything bagel crackers or sesame sticks for added flavor.
• Spice – Wasabi peas are a fun spicy addition as well as bite-sized crisp breads and bagel chips for crunch.
• Nuts – If cashews or walnuts are your thing, use them in place of the peanuts in the same amount. If the word “party” is in the title you have full reign to turn this snack mix into something fun to eat.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store Party Snack Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer – You can freeze snack mix after it completely cooled for up to 2 months.

More Appetizers and Party Snacks to Make

Handheld snacking is a must for the holidays, picnics, football parties and tailgating. You can even make this party mix and packaged it in cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon for gift giving. Other snack food recipe you may enjoy trying:

• Ranch Seasoned Oyster Crackers are perfection for topping a bowl of soup, salads or chili.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers are a retro snack ideal for the holidays, game days and parties.
• Sweet and Salty Pineapple Cheeseball.
• White Chocolate Snack Mix during the holiday season is an absolute must make coating everything in melted white chocolate.
• Southern Pimento Cheese for tea sandwiches, stuffing celery or dipping with fritos or crackers.
• If you’d like to try a sweet recipe using cereal see my No Bake S’mores Bars recipe here.
• Whip up a batch of homemade Caramel Corn for snacking and gift giving.
• Italian Herb Snack Mix from The Chunky Chef

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pan
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Mixing Bowls