Recipe: Thanksgiving Chex Mix

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the…read more
updated Mar 30, 2020
thanksgiving
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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Our favorite snack mix dressed up for Thanksgiving.

Serves10 to 12

Makesabout 10 cups

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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

I’d argue that there is no occasion where a bowl of crunchy, salty, cereal-studded party mix isn’t welcome. We make big batches for birthday parties, game nights, and even our Christmas Eve celebration. So when it comes to Thanksgiving, chex mix should be on everyone’s holiday menu too.

You can make a big batch of this snack mix a week before Turkey Day and snack on it while you prepare, cook, or otherwise celebrate (like when you’re out-of-town in-laws swing by for a game of Risk while you’re brining the turkey). Or you can throw it in the slow cooker the day of Thanksgiving and serve big bowls of it for guests to snack on as they arrive.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Classic Party Mix with a Thanksgiving Twist

A classic party mix is flavored with savory spices like garlic and onion. While serving that traditional flavor at Thanksgiving would be more than welcome, this Thanksgiving mix has some warming spices, pumpkin seeds, and sweet cranberries added to make this a really special mix. You can swap the traditional cheese crackers for cheese bugles (pretend they are a cornucopia), but feel free to use whatever snacks, nuts, and spices you prefer as long as you keep the cereal and butter amounts the same.

Thanksgiving Chex Mix

Our favorite snack mix dressed up for Thanksgiving.

Makes about 10 cups

Serves 10 to 12

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 4 cups

    Corn Chex cereal (4 1/2 ounces)

  • 4 cups

    Rice Chex cereal (3 3/4 ounces)

  • 2 cups

    Wheat Chex cereal (4 ounces)

  • 2 cups

    pretzel sticks (2 ounces)

  • 2 cups

    cheese-flavored Bugles, mini breadsticks, mini crackers, or oyster crackers (2 ounces)

  • 1 cup

    raw peanuts

  • 1 cup

    raw hulled pumpkin seeds

  • 8 tablespoons

    (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/4 cup

    Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon

    smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon

    ground cinnamon

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    ground nutmeg

  • 1 1/2 cups

    dried cranberries (8 ounces)

Instructions

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  1. Place the cereals, pretzels, Bugles, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds in a 6-quart (preferably oval-shaped) or larger slow cooker. Using 2 wooden spoons, gently toss together, being careful not to crush the cereal.

  2. Whisk the butter, Worcestershire, paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour half over the dry ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Pour in the remaining half and toss again. Place a double layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker to catch condensation.

  3. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. When it is done, the party mix should look toasty and relatively dry.

  4. Pour the party mix onto a work surface or baking sheets lined with parchment or paper towels. Spread into a single layer and sprinkle with the cranberries. Cool for 5 minutes before serving or storing.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.