Smoky Heat Crunch Mix

Smoked Chex Mix is the ultimate party snack! Fire up your smoker, grab some simple ingredients, and get ready to impress everyone with this incredibly addictive, savory, and oh-so-tasty smoked party mix! Perfectly seasoned and infused with a rich smoky flavor, this homemade snack mix will quickly become a crowd-favorite at any gathering.

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Mmm, pass the Smoked Chex Mix, please! How good does that sound? Imagine a delightful assortment of crunchy cereals, savory pretzels, and crisp crackers, all coated with a rich, spicy, buttery topping. Now, picture all of that slowly smoked to perfection, yielding a toasty, delicious snack that will have everyone talking. This isn’t just any party mix; it’s a smoky masterpiece that will undoubtedly steal the show. Forget the rest of the meal – your guests will be too busy devouring bowlfuls of this smoky goodness!

Beyond its irresistible flavor, this Spicy Smoked Chex Mix is unbelievably **easy to make** and completely customizable. Whether you prefer a mild hint of spice or a fiery kick, you can adjust the heat level to your liking. The best part? The smoky flavor is present in every single crunchy bite, offering a truly unique snacking experience. Plus, you can prepare this delectable party mix ahead of time, allowing you to relax and enjoy your guests’ company without last-minute kitchen stress.

I absolutely love bringing this savory Smoked Chex Mix to parties, casual gatherings, potlucks, and family events. It’s always the first thing to disappear, and people consistently ask for the recipe. The convenience of making it a day or two in advance means it’s ready to grab and go, making me a hero in the snack department every time!

Essential Ingredients for the Best Smoked Chex Mix

Creating an outstanding Smoked Chex Mix starts with a balanced blend of dry ingredients and a flavorful, buttery sauce. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Rice Chex Cereal: Provides a light, airy crunch that absorbs the smoky flavor beautifully.
• Corn Chex Cereal: Adds another layer of classic Chex texture and flavor.
• Life Cereal: Offers a slightly different, heartier texture and subtle sweetness.
• Shreddies Cereal: (Or Wheat Chex) Contributes a robust, shredded texture that holds up well to the sauce and smoke.
• Pretzels: Classic savory crunch that’s essential for any good snack mix.
• Goldfish Crackers: Their cheesy flavor and iconic shape make them a fun and tasty addition.
• Pita Crackers: Look for small, bite-sized pita crackers, or use another small, sturdy cracker like oyster crackers or mini toasts for extra texture.
• Peanuts: Roasted and lightly salted peanuts add a delightful nutty flavor and satisfying protein boost.

For the Irresistible Sauce:

• Butter: Salted butter is preferred as it eliminates the need for additional salt. It’s the base for our rich coating.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient that provides a deep, umami, savory tang, making the mix incredibly addictive.
• Garlic Powder: Essential for a fundamental savory note.
• Chipotle Powder: Delivers a smoky heat that perfectly complements the overall smoked theme. Adjust to your preferred spice level!
• Onion Powder: Adds another layer of savory depth to the seasoning blend.
• Smoked Paprika: Enhances the smoky flavor profile and adds a beautiful reddish hue.

Tools and Equipment for Smoking Your Chex Mix

To achieve that signature smoky flavor, you’ll need a few specific items:

• Traeger Smoker or Equivalent: Any smoker capable of maintaining a consistent low temperature will work. Pellet grills are particularly convenient for this recipe due to their precise temperature control.
• Pellets or Wood Chips: Opt for mild to medium hardwood varieties like apple, cherry, pecan, or even a classic competition blend. These will impart a pleasant smoky essence without overpowering the snack mix.
• Large Foil Container: A jumbo disposable foil pan is ideal for spreading out the Chex mix in a thin layer, ensuring even smoke distribution and crisping. Alternatively, you can use two smaller pans or a large sheet pan.

How To Make The Best Smoked Chex Mix: Step-by-Step Guide

Making this incredibly delicious Smoked Chex Mix is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps for a snack that will tantalize your taste buds:

1. Preheat Your Smoker: Begin by preheating your smoker to 180°F (82°C). While I personally use a Traeger pellet grill/smoker for its convenience and consistent results, any reliable smoker will work perfectly for this recipe. Ensure it’s at the target temperature before proceeding.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a very large foil pan (the jumbo size is recommended for best results), measure out all your dry ingredients: the various Chex cereals, Life cereal, Shreddies, pretzels, Goldfish crackers, pita crackers, and peanuts. Gently toss them together to ensure an even distribution.
3. Prepare the Flavorful Sauce: In a separate bowl, melt the salted butter. Once melted, whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chipotle powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until thoroughly combined. This creates the savory, spicy, and smoky coating for your mix.
4. Coat the Mix: Drizzle the prepared butter and spice mixture evenly over the dry cereal, pretzels, nuts, and crackers in the large foil pan. Using a large spoon or spatula, mix everything very well, ensuring every piece is coated with the delicious sauce. This step is crucial for an even flavor in every bite.
5. First Smoke Cycle for Deep Flavor: Place the foil pan with the coated mixture into your preheated smoker. Smoke at 180°F (82°C) for 30 minutes. This lower temperature allows the mix to absorb a significant amount of rich smoky flavor without overcooking.
6. Second Smoke Cycle for Crispness: After 30 minutes, increase the smoker temperature to 225°F (107°C). Continue to smoke the party mix for an additional 60-90 minutes. During this phase, stir the mix every 20 minutes or so. Stirring prevents burning and ensures uniform crisping and seasoning throughout the batch.
7. Cool and Serve: Once done, remove the Smoked Chex Mix from the smoker and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. As it cools, it will become even more crispy and crunchy. Transfer to serving bowls and watch it disappear!

How Do You Know When Your Smoked Chex Mix Is Done?

Since you’re not really “cooking” raw ingredients, the doneness of your Smoked Chex Mix is all about texture. The goal is a perfectly crisp and crunchy snack. Here’s how to tell:

Start checking around the 60-minute mark of the second smoking phase. Carefully take a small spoonful of the mix with sauce on it and let it cool for a moment. Taste it! It should be pleasantly crunchy. If it still feels a bit soft or soggy from the sauce, give the entire batch a thorough stir and continue smoking for another 10-15 minutes before testing again. Repeat until you achieve that irresistible crunch. Remember, cooling completely will also help it crisp up further.

Chef Jenn’s Pro Tips for Perfect Smoked Party Mix

Recommended Smoked Appetizers and Snacks

Delicious Variations and Substitutions for Your Smoked Party Mix

One of the best things about this Smoked Chex Mix recipe is its incredible versatility. Feel free to get creative and customize it with your favorite snacks! The general rule is to maintain roughly 14 cups of dry ingredients (cereals, crackers, nuts, pretzels) to ensure the sauce ratio remains balanced. Remember, depending on your location, some Chex cereal varieties can be difficult to find, so don’t hesitate to experiment with these fantastic alternatives or add-ins:

• Cereal Swaps:
  • Quaker Corn Squares: An excellent substitute if Corn Chex is unavailable.
  • Cheerios: Adds a different, slightly sweeter whole-grain dimension.
  • Wheat Chex: A perfect alternative if you can’t find Shreddies, offering a similar robust texture.
  • Crispix: Provides a unique waffle-like texture that soaks up flavor.
• Cracker & Pretzel Alternatives:
  • Any kind of Goldfish cracker: While the original flavor is a classic, try cheddar, pretzel, or even parmesan for a twist.
  • Pretzel rods or bites: Instead of twists, these shapes can offer a different visual appeal and bite.
  • Rye Chips: Adds a rich, hearty, and slightly tangy flavor.
  • Bagel Chips: For extra crunch and a more substantial bite.
• Nutty Additions:
  • Mixed nuts: In place of or in addition to peanuts, use almonds, cashews, or pecans for a richer medley.
  • Pecans or Walnuts: These tree nuts add a buttery, earthy flavor.
• Spice & Flavor Adjustments:
  • Cayenne Powder: If chipotle powder isn’t on hand, cayenne is a great substitute for heat, though it lacks the smoky undertone.
  • Regular Paprika: You can swap regular paprika for smoked paprika, but note that smoked paprika truly enhances the overall smoky flavor of the mix.
  • Ranch Seasoning: Add a packet of dry ranch seasoning for a zesty, herbaceous kick.
  • Dill Weed: A touch of dried dill weed can add a fresh, tangy note.
• Sweet & Savory Touch:
  • Candy-Coated Chocolates: For a surprising sweet and savory contrast (add these *after* smoking and cooling).
  • Dried Cranberries or Cherries: Introduces a chewy texture and tart sweetness, also added post-smoking.

Visual Step By Step Process

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★★★★☆ (Average 4.39 from 13 votes)

Smoked Chex Mix

The ultimate hit of any party, Smoked Chex Mix is spicy, savory, smoky, and absolutely irresistible! Easy to prepare and fun to eat, this amazing party mix can even be made a day or two in advance. Get ready to dig in and savor every crunchy bite!

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chex, party mix, pellet smoker, smoked chex mix, smoked party mix, snack mix, savory snack

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Servings: 14 servings

Calories: 598 kcal per serving

Author: Chef Jenn

Equipment

• 1 Traeger pellet smoker (or another smoker)
• Hardwood pellets or wood chips
• 1 Large foil pan (jumbo size recommended)

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups Rice Chex Cereal
• 2 cups Corn Chex Cereal
• 2 cups Life Cereal
• 2 cups Shreddies Cereal (or Wheat Chex)
• 2 cups Pretzels
• 2 cups Goldfish crackers
• 2 cups Pita crackers (small crackers)
• 1 cup Roasted peanuts (lightly salted)

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup Butter (salted)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat Smoker: Set your smoker to 180°F (82°C). Allow it to reach temperature before adding the mix.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large foil pan, combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Life Cereal, Shreddies, pretzels, Goldfish crackers, pita crackers, and peanuts. Mix gently.
3. Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chipotle powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until well combined.
4. Coat the Mix: Drizzle the butter and spice mixture evenly over the dry ingredients in the pan. Mix thoroughly to ensure all components are coated.
5. Smoke for Flavor: Place the pan in the preheated smoker. Smoke at 180°F (82°C) for 30 minutes to infuse a rich smoky flavor.
6. Smoke for Crispness: Increase the smoker temperature to 225°F (107°C). Continue smoking for 60-90 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes to ensure even cooking and crisping.
7. Cool and Serve: Remove from the smoker and let the Smoked Chex Mix cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. It will crisp up further as it cools. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips:

• If your smoker has a “Super Smoke” setting, use it! Set to super smoke and skip the initial 30 minutes at 180°F for maximum smoky flavor.
• For the best smoke flavor and crispy texture, use a jumbo foil pan or a large sheet pan to ensure the party mix is spread in a thin, single layer.
• This recipe offers a mild spice level. For a spicier kick, double the chipotle powder or add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 598 kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1054mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 18mg

A Note on Nutritional Information: Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is an approximate value only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on specific brands and exact measurements used.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smoked Chex Mix

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying this delicious smoked party mix:

1. Can I make Smoked Chex Mix in the oven instead of a smoker?

   Yes, you can! While it won’t have the distinct smoky flavor, you can bake it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the coated mix in a single layer on a large baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. For a hint of smoke, you could add a few drops of liquid smoke to the butter mixture, but it won’t be quite the same as a real smoker.

2. What kind of wood pellets or chips should I use for smoking?

   For Chex Mix, lighter fruitwoods like apple or cherry work wonderfully, offering a subtle sweetness. Pecan or a mild competition blend also provides excellent, balanced smoke. Avoid strong, heavy woods like mesquite or hickory, as they can easily overpower the delicate flavors of the snack mix.

3. How far in advance can I make this party mix?

   Smoked Chex Mix is a fantastic make-ahead snack! You can prepare it up to 5-7 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crispness and flavor. It’s perfect for gifting or having on hand for unexpected guests.

4. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

   Absolutely! Many brands offer gluten-free versions of Rice Chex and Corn Chex cereals. For the other components, ensure you select certified gluten-free pretzels, crackers, and any other add-ins. Always double-check ingredient labels to confirm they are suitable for a gluten-free diet.

5. What if my Chex Mix isn’t getting crispy?

   If your mix is still soft, it likely needs more time in the smoker. Ensure it’s spread in a thin layer, and continue smoking at 225°F (107°C), stirring frequently, until it achieves the desired crunch. Sometimes humidity can affect crisping, so a few extra minutes might be necessary.

Want More Delicious and Easy Smoked Recipes?

If you loved this Smoked Chex Mix, you’re in for a treat! Explore more of our fantastic smoked recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

• Steaks on the Blackstone
• Smoked Lamb Chops
• Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff
• Smoked Shotgun Shells