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TheBestHomemade Spicy Chex Mix Recipe or “Texas Trash” is a homemade Chex Mix recipe with a cheesy kick that’s bound to become a family favorite snack. The zesty and savory spice combination comes together perfectly with the crunch of Chex cereal with the cheesy goodness of puffs, all seasoned to perfection with a hint of smoky spicy goodness.
When it comes to satisfying your snack cravings this slow-roasted Chex Mix recipe with cheese puffs is a kicked-up twist on the original Chex Mix recipe. The subtle but bold flavors combined with the toasted cheese crunch of the Cheese Puffs is no ordinary original recipe… it’s the stuff of delicious memories and family traditions!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS SPICY CHEX MIX RECIPE WITH CHEESE PUFFS
This spicy Chex mix recipe makes a huge batch of snack mix that’s a perfect make-ahead treat to have on hand during the long holiday season.
It also makes delicious gift snacks for special friends and family members.
The best part, besides the cheese puffs, is that the longer it sits in an air-tight container, the bolder the flavors become. You can make it months in advance of the holidays or before football season starts. Just don’t let anyone know where you store it!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE SPICY CHEX MIX RECIPE
Dry Ingredients
- 4cupsCheese Puffs (PUFFS, not crunchy Cheetos), Orange Cheese Puffs & White Cheddar Cheese Puffs
- 2cupsthin pretzels
- 2cupsCheerios
- 1cupmini saltines (or oyster crackers)
- 2cupsRice Chex
- 2cupsCorn Chex
- 1.5cupsdry roasted peanutsmore or less to taste
Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 8tbspWorcestershire sauce
- 3tbspchili powdermore or less to taste
- 1tspcumin powder
- 2tsphot saucemore or less to taste (I use Tabasco)
- 2tsponion powder
- 1tbspgarlic powdermore or less to taste
- 1stickmelted butter (8 tbsp)
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHEX MIX WITH CHEESE PUFFS
Recipe Instructions
- STEP ONE:Place the first 7 ingredients in a very large bowl or ungreased large roasting pan. Gently mix cereals, cheese puffs, pretzels, mini saltines, and peanuts together with a big spatula or wooden spoon.
- STEP TWO:Over low heat, melt the butter…be careful not to burn. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and hot sauce to taste.
- STEP THREE:Pour half of the butter mixture in a circle over the dry snack mix and stir gently with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Pour the second half of the butter mixture again in a circular motion and mix again. Mix until everything is evenly coated…this will take about 15 minutes of constant gentle mixing.
- STEP FOUR:Heat the oven to a very low temperature (215° to 230°). Place the coated mix on an ungreasedlarge baking sheet(this will probably take 2) or use an ungreasedlarge roasting panwith at least 2″ sides. Make sure the mix is spread out evenly and not deep.
- STEP FIVE:Stir every 15 minutes for an hour or until crispy and yummy.
- STEP SIX:Cool on cut-up brown paper sacks, newspaper, or parchment paper, or paper towels.
- STEP SEVEN:Repeat steps 4-6 until all the unroasted Chex party mix is gone.
- STEP EIGHT:Store in large air-tight containers or gallon Ziplock plastic bags.
CRUNCHY SNACK INGREDIENT VARIATIONS
Just browse through the snack and cracker aisle and you can come up with your own version of this special treat. A few items I’ve included over the years are below👇
- garlic rye crisps
- goldfish
- Fritos
- wheat chex
- oyster crackers
- pecans
- cheese crackers
- cashews
- bagel chips
FAQ
Chex Mixis one of those tasty treats that never comes out the exact same and is so easily personalized to fit your taste buds.
The recipe is very straightforward and extremely simple to double.
If you like a little more garlic flavor…like my husband… add more garlic powder.
Use 1 tablespoon ofChipotle Chili Powderin place of regular Chili Powder for a different spice taste. If you really like it hot, then try substituting 1 or 2 tablespoons of Chili Powder withJalapeno Powder…Yum!
CHEESE PUFF CHEX MIX RECIPE ITEMS
ALTERNATIVE CHEX MIX BAKING METHODS
While slow-roasted Chex Mix is the preferred method for this perfect snack, you can also make this homemade Chex mix recipe in the Crockpot or the Air Fryer!
A Slow Cooker Chex mix recipe might seem like it would be the easiest, hands-free method, the truth is, it takes more time (2 hours at the least on low) and you still have to stir it. Plus, in my opinion, it’s not as toasty. The enclosed area is much smaller than an oven and it tends to “steam” the Chex mix.
TheAir FryerMethod is a really good alternative method to oven roasting especially if you want to make an individual portion. I filled the Air Fryer basket halfway up with the Chex Mix, then set the fryer at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. In 2 minutes intervals, I pulled the basket out and shook it…then resumed cooking. It was super yummy and a lot less cleanup!
HOW TO STORE CHEX MIX
The best part about this delicious homemade spicy Chex mix recipe is you can make it weeks ahead of the holidays. It stores very well in air-tight containers. The mix is actually much better if you allow the flavors to “meld” over a week or two. The only downside to this is “some” people might be inclined to sneak a couple of handfuls of this addictive snack!
Lastly, this homemade spicy Chex mix makes great gifts for the holidays. Our family saves gift tins from previous food gifts. Make sure the tins are clean and ready to go before you make the Chex mix. It’s a great way to reuse and recycle!
Make up individual snack sacks for game-day munchies. Everyone needs their own personal stash of this glorious stuff!
HELPFUL KITCHEN ITEMS
MORE SNACK RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE 💙❤💜
Simple Spicy Everything Snack Crackers
Easy Italian Dill Snacks
Zesty Italian Mini Pretzels
Easy Fiesta Chedder Crackers
Spicy Chex Mix
Elise
Crunchy, spicy, savory Chex Mix with Cheetos, mini saltines, pretzels, nuts, and chex cereal.
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Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 120 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cheese Puffs (cheese curls, cheetos) I mixed Cheese Puffs & White Cheddar Cheese Puffs
- 2 cups thin pretzels
- 2 cups Cheerios
- 1 cup mini saltines (or oyster crackers)
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Corn Chex
- 1.5 cup dry roasted peanuts more or less to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 8 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp chili powder more or less to taste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp hot sauce more or less to taste
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder more or less to taste
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
Instructions
Place the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl or roasting pan. Mix up gently.
Over low heat melt the butter…be careful not to burn. Add the seasonings…Worchestershire, chili, onion, garlic, cumin powder, and hot sauce to taste.
Pour over the dry snack mix and stir preferable with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Mix until everything is evenly coated….this will take about 15 minutes of constant gentle stirring.
Heat oven to 215°. Place coated mix on large baking sheets (this will probably take 2) or use a large roasting pan with at least 2" sides. Make sure the mix is spread out evenly and not deep.
Stir every 15 minutes for an hour or until crispy and yummy.
Cool on cut up brown paper sacks, newspaper, or paper towels until cool.
Store in large plastic bags or plastic tubs. Enjoy!!!
Notes
Extra Notes: Make weeks ahead of the holidays and give this as a delicious gift.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal
Keyword cereal, cheetos, chex, savory, spicy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
