Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (2024)

My Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe is an updated take on classic Chex mix combining spicy, salty, and sweet flavors into one seriously irresistible snack. It’s endlessly customizable, just make sure to save some for Santa!

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (1)

Homemade party mix is a holiday tradition

Does your family make a snack mix around the holidays? My mom never made the original that was so popular ever since it was ‘invented’ in the 1950s. But I’m crazy about salty/crunchy snacks, so it was only a matter of time before I met one of these Chex mixes and fell in love.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (2)

The beauty of this party mix is that it’s totally customizable!

I loaded this version with all my favorite things, but of course, but everybody’s mix will be a little different. Don’t love cheese crackers? Ditch them. Love bagel chips? Put ’em in! Nut allergies? Leave them out and add in more of what you like. You get the idea.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (3)

Why bother to make homemade party mix when you can buy it in a bag?

It’s all about freshness, flavor, and texture ~ this homemade version is so much better than the bagged original because you toss your ingredients with a souped-up melted butter sauce, and then bake them until all that flavor is absorbed and the mix has dried out. You end up with something super buttery and with great flavor that no bag can match.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (4)

Ingredients for sweet & spicy party mix ~

I chose to riff on the flavors of a classic buffalo sauce ~ it’s a little bit sweet, and a little bit spicy. This recipe hits all the sweet spots, taste-bud wise: sweet, salty, spicy, and umami.

  • corn Chex cereal
  • cheese crackers
  • pecans
  • peanuts
  • pretzels
  • kettle corn
  • butter
  • hot sauce
  • brown sugar
  • smoked paprika
  • garlic powder
  • Worcestershire sauce
Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (5)

Don’t be afraid of a little hot sauce

It’s kick gets subdued once the sauce is tossed throughout the snack mix and everything is baked for an hour, so I suggest making the sauce a little bit hotter than you think you want. But of course, adjust to your own taste and according to the heat of the hot sauce you’re using.

And don’t forget, the sweet kettle corn in this recipe offsets the heat in a really nice way.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (6)

How much party mix to make per person?

Now that’s a loaded question. It depends on how hungry/ravenous your guests are. This recipe makes 6 cups of party mix, and I’d allow 1/2 cup per person, so this recipe serves 12.

But you can easily scale this recipe up or down. Just make sure you keep everything in roughly a single layer on the baking sheets for baking so the mix will stay nice and crisp.

How long does homemade party mix last?

This party mix will last at least 2 weeks, in an airtight container at room temperature.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (7)

Love crunchy snacks? Try these ~

  • Root Veggie Kettle Chips
  • Baked Pita Chips
  • Multi Seed Crisps
  • Oat Crackers

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (8)

Christmas Party Mix

4 from 12 votes

My Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe is updated take on classic Chex snack mix combining spicy, salty, and sweet flavors into one seriously irresistible snack. It's endlessly customizable, just make sure to save some for Santa!

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Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:1 hour hour

Total Time:1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups corn Chex cereal
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • 3/4 cup unsalted pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
  • 3/4 cup cheese crackers
  • 1 cup kettle corn

For the sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250F.

  • Add all of the mix ingredients EXCEPT the kettle corn to a large mixing bowl.

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter and whisk with the rest of the sauce ingredients.

  • Pour the sauce over the mix and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

  • Spread the mix onto a large baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour, tossing a couple of times as it bakes. Use 2 baking sheets if necessary.

  • Allow to cool before adding the kettle corn.

NEW FEATURE! Click here to add your own private notes.

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: appetizer, nuts, pecan, pretzels, snack

Nutrition

Calories: 315 kcal · Carbohydrates: 38 g · Protein: 5 g · Fat: 17 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g · Trans Fat: 0.2 g · Cholesterol: 16 mg · Sodium: 333 mg · Potassium: 127 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 13 g · Vitamin A: 331 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 58 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at @theviewfromgreatisland for a chance to be featured.

Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (9)
Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is party mix made of? ›

Combine cereals, nuts, pretzels, and bagel chips in a large microwave-safe bowl; set aside. Microwave butter in a small microwave-safe bowl, uncovered, on High until melted; stir in Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.

Why is my homemade Chex Mix soggy? ›

Using too much liquid. Don't go over the recipe's suggested liquid amounts; that is a sure way to get soggy mix (which, again, nobody wants). Follow this tip: If you need to make a change in liquid ingredients, just keep the amount the same.

How many Chex Mix flavors are there? ›

In total, General Mills produces 13 varieties of Chex Mixes, not including limited editions. These flavors can be broadly divided into three categories: savory, chocolate (usually marketed as "Muddy Buddies"), and sweet 'n salty. Sometimes, limited edition varieties of Chex Mix are released.

Who invented party mix? ›

There are at least two origin stories for the party mix. Snackhistory says the recipe was perfected in the Ralston Purina kitchens to help the lagging sales of Wheat Chex and Rice Chex. The recipe appeared on the cereal boxes in 1953, after appearing in “Life.”

How long does party mix stay fresh? ›

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

This Original Chex™ Party Mix can be made ahead of time and stored until ready to eat. Once mix is completely cooled, spoon into airtight containers and store for up to 2 weeks in a cool pantry.

What are the ingredients in Allen's party mix? ›

Ingredients. Glucose Syrup ( Wheat Or Corn), Cane Sugar, Thickener (Dextrin Roasted Starch, Acid Treated Starch Or Starch Acetate)( Wheat ), Gelatine, Food Acid (Citric), Colours (Titanium Dioxide, Carminic Acid, Black Carrot, Copper Chlorophyllin, Paprika Oleoresin, Turmeric, Vegetable Carbon), Flavours.

Is it cheaper to make or buy Chex Mix? ›

Homemade Chex Mix is cheaper AND better tasting than anything you can buy at the store. Does homemade Chex Mix need to be refrigerated? You can store homemade Chex Mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

What is the least favorite Chex Mix piece? ›

Other than the rye chip, nothing brought more people together than pretzels — combined, 38% marked the circle and square pretzels as the worst pieces.

Is Chex Mix healthy or not? ›

Who doesn't love traditional Chex Mix? It's salty, crunchy, and everyone has a favorite item– the perfect party snack! But sadly, what makes it taste so good also makes Chex Mix not the healthiest option. It's full of refined grains, sugar, and tons of sodium.

Why isn't Chex Mix sold in Canada? ›

Chex has really not caught on as a brand in Canada. Although many other products of General Mills, like Cheerios, are very popular, Chex is seen as a “niche” product.

Why is Chex Mix so good? ›

Chex mix is the ultimate DIY snack. It's crunchy, just the right amount of salty, and stays good for several weeks, making it the perfect thing to keep on the counter for midday or pre-dinner nibbling. Plus, our version can be made with whatever cereal, toasted nuts, and crunchy snacks you've stocked up on.

Did Chex Mix used to have peanuts in it? ›

Indeed, after this tasting I found the argument that peanuts upset the balance of Chex Mix very curious, as a Chex Mix without nuts is all crunchy carbs. Uniformity is not balance. It is, however, a little boring. This is probably why the original Chex Mix recipe called for the addition of nuts in the first place.

What are the ingredients in the Fini party mix? ›

Sugar, glucose syrup, glucose and fluffy syrup, water, gelatin, wheat flour, starch, acidulants: E330, E296, E270, gelling agent: pectin, vegetable fat, aromas, acidity correctors: E325, E331, E350, salt , emulsifier: E471, fruit concentrates and vegetable extracts preparations (carrot, black currant), humectant: E420, ...

What is in all dressed party mix? ›

Whole Grain Yellow Corn, Enriched Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil And/or High Oleic Canola And/or Sunflower Oil, Dehydrated Potatoes, Potato Starch, Cornmeal, Sodium Acetate, Sugars (sugar, Corn Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Corn Syrup, Barley Malt Extract), Spices, Salt, Torula Yeast, Whey Powder, Monosodium Glutamate, Onion ...

What does party mix mean? ›

a mixture of small pieces of foods such as nuts and cereals that are covered in a thin savory (= salty or spicy) or sweet sauce and baked until crunchy, suitable to be served at a party: Pistachios can be used in muffins and cakes, party mixes, trail mixes, and granola.

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