What separates my Bolder Party Mix from the rest of the snack mix recipe contenders? Mine has more of the good stuff! I’ve upped the flavor ante by more than doubling the amount of the typically called for butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and spices but I also add a teaspoon of Tabasco sauce to add just a little more oomph in the flavor department.
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As I child, I clearly remember holidays spent surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins. Playing games with a large marigold colored Tupperware container full of party mix nearby for snacking purposes. The party mix was always one of my mom’s contributions to family gatherings and definitely the jumping off point for my Bolder Party Mix recipe. It’s the perfect snack no matter what time of year – I stashed bags of it in my carryon for a quick trip last weekend! – but it always makes me think of the holiday season.
I’ll admit to never making party mix all that often as an adult. In fact, I only have this Maple Chipotle Snack Mix and my sweet and savory Animal Cracker Snack Mix to show for it in my archives. But after my mom visited this summer and made it for us, my obsession was renewed and I love to make it as a surprise snack for our nine year old who loves it just as much as I do. Unfortunately for me, she also loves to pick out the same pieces that I do so I have to be quick to snag the best ones! And just what are the best pieces you might ask? The pieces of cereal soaked with all of the butter and seasonings. My absolute favorite and the ones I will shamelessly dig for in a mountain of my Bolder Party Mix to find.
What separates my Bolder Party Mix from the rest of the snack mix recipe contenders? Mine has more of the good stuff! I’ve upped the flavor ante by more than doubling the amount of the typically called for butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and spices but I also add a teaspoon of Tabasco sauce. Now, don’t go all crazy and think that that one little addition makes this snack spicy. No, sir! (Or ma’am.) It simply adds a little more oomph in the flavor department.
And I have one more secret that makes my Bolder Party Mix the best of the best. Instead of spreading out a layer of cereal, nuts and pretzels and then showing it with a stream of flavor goodness, I find it works best to have it in a large mountain on a baking sheet before then bathing it in seasoning. The butter mixture then soaks through all of the layers of the cereal mixture and you can then toss it together easily before spreading it evenly before baking.
A super easy change that makes a super flavorful difference! Case in point? That piece of cereal in the lower left corner of the photo above. That one has my name written all over it! And you better believe that as soon as that photo was taken, it made its way to my mouth in record time.
Bolder Party Mix
Ingredients
- 8 cups Crispix cereal
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 2 cups pretzels
- 1 cup Cheerios
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 8 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- Add Crispix, nuts, pretzels and Cheerios to a large sheet pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together remaining ingredients and pour over cereal mixture. Toss to combine.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Looking for a sweet mix instead of savory? I’ve got my eye on this 5 Minute Reese’s Snack Mix, easy Pantry Popcorn Mix and this classic S’mores Snack Mix.
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