Bacon-Loved Holiday Chex Crunch
This irresistible Chex Mix combines a savory blend of flavors that will transport you back to joyful holiday gatherings! Inspired by cherished memories of my childhood best friend's mother, Mrs. Harper, this mix has become a staple in my festive celebrations. The smoky richness of bacon combined with the delightful crunch of cereal, pretzels, and peanuts creates a decadent treat that's simply addictive. Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying during cozy family nights, this whimsical snack will be a staple in your holiday traditions for years to come!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon, slices
1 lb (Crisped and drippings reserved)
Butter
1/2 cup (Melted with drippings)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (Combined in seasoning mix)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (Combined in seasoning mix)
Onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (Combined in seasoning mix)
Celery salt
1/2 teaspoon (Combined in seasoning mix)
Ground sage
1/4 teaspoon (Combined in seasoning mix)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste in seasoning mix)
Tabasco sauce
4 dashes (To taste in seasoning mix)
Dry roasted peanuts
2 cups (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Cashew pieces
1 cup (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Pretzels
2 cups (Mixed with other dry ingredients; small shape preferred)
Corn Chex
5 cups (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Rice Chex
3 cups (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Wheat Chex
1 cup (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Cheerios toasted oat cereal
2 cups (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Cheese nips or goldfish crackers
1 cup (Mixed with other dry ingredients)
Instructions
1
Begin by frying the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once crisped, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve for later, allowing the drippings to remain in the skillet.
2
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
3
To the skillet with the bacon drippings, add the butter and melt over low heat, stirring until fully blended.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, ground sage, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and Tabasco sauce. Pour this seasoning blend into the melted butter and bacon drippings, mixing well to create a flavorful coating.
5
In a large, spacious mixing bowl, combine the dry roasted peanuts, cashew pieces, pretzels, Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, Cheerios, and cheese nips or goldfish crackers.
6
Gradually drizzle the buttery seasoning mix over the dry ingredients, gently stirring as you go to ensure an even and thorough coating.
7
Spread the coated Chex Mix in an even layer across two or three large cookie sheets.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to promote uniform toasting.
9
Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the Chex Mix cool on paper towels to absorb any excess grease.
10
Store the cooled mix in an airtight container to keep it crisp and flavorful. Enjoy your Bacon-Loved Holiday Chex Crunch!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bacon-Loved Holiday Chex Crunch?
It is a savory and addictive snack mix that combines bacon, three types of Chex cereal, pretzels, nuts, and a variety of festive seasonings.
How much bacon is needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of bacon, which is fried until crispy before the drippings are used for the seasoning mix.
What is the baking temperature for the Chex Mix?
The oven should be preheated and set to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for a slow and even toasting process.
How long does the mix need to bake?
The mix should bake for a total of 1 hour to reach the perfect level of crunch.
How often should I stir the mixture while it is in the oven?
You should stir the mix every 15 minutes during the baking process to promote uniform toasting and prevent burning.
What types of Chex cereal are used in this recipe?
This holiday mix uses 5 cups of Corn Chex, 3 cups of Rice Chex, and 1 cup of Wheat Chex.
What seasonings are used in the savory coating?
The coating is made with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, ground sage, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and Tabasco sauce.
Do I throw away the bacon grease after frying?
No, you should reserve the drippings in the skillet and mix them with butter to create the flavorful coating for the dry ingredients.
What kind of nuts are included in the mix?
The recipe includes 2 cups of dry roasted peanuts and 1 cup of cashew pieces.
Can I use goldfish crackers in this recipe?
Yes, you can use either 1 cup of cheese nips or 1 cup of goldfish crackers.
What size pretzels work best?
Small-shaped pretzels are preferred to ensure they mix evenly with the cereals and nuts.
How do I store the finished snack mix?
Store the completely cooled mix in an airtight container to keep it crisp and flavorful for several days.
Why should I cool the mix on paper towels?
Cooling on paper towels helps absorb any excess grease from the butter and bacon drippings, ensuring the final snack is not too oily.
Is the Bacon-Loved Holiday Chex Crunch spicy?
It has a very mild kick from 4 dashes of Tabasco sauce and Lawry's Seasoned Salt, but it is generally savory rather than hot.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients in total, including cereals, nuts, snacks, and a variety of seasonings.
Can I add more Tabasco if I want it spicier?
Yes, the Tabasco and Lawry's Seasoned Salt can be adjusted to your personal taste preferences.
What inspired this particular recipe?
This recipe was inspired by holiday memories of the creator's childhood best friend's mother, Mrs. Harper.
What cereal besides Chex is used?
The recipe also includes 2 cups of toasted oat Cheerios.
How much butter is used in the coating?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of butter which is melted along with the reserved bacon drippings.
What is the best way to apply the seasoning?
You should gradually drizzle the buttery seasoning mix over the dry ingredients in a large bowl, stirring gently to ensure an even coating.
How many cookie sheets will I need for baking?
You will need two or three large cookie sheets to spread the mix out in an even layer.
Is there any celery in this recipe?
There is no fresh celery, but the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt for flavor.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe doesn't specify, but since there are several salty ingredients like bacon and seasoned salt, you may want to monitor the salt levels.
Does this recipe contain sage?
Yes, it contains 1/4 teaspoon of ground sage which adds a unique holiday aroma to the mix.
Is this a good snack for a holiday party?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a whimsical, decadent treat perfect for festive celebrations and family nights.
Can I make this recipe in a microwave?
This specific recipe is designed for the oven at 250 degrees F to ensure a traditional toasted texture.
How many cups of Rice Chex are needed?
You will need 3 cups of Rice Chex for this recipe.
What is the primary flavor profile of this mix?
The flavor profile is a smoky, savory blend with a delightful crunch.
Should the bacon be chopped before or after frying?
The instructions suggest frying the slices until crispy and then reserving them; you can crumble them after they have cooled.
Can this recipe be halved?
Yes, you can half all the ingredients, though it is so addictive you might want to make the full batch for sharing.