Grandma's Holiday Snack Mix
A delightful and savory mix, Grandma's Holiday Snack Mix has been a cherished tradition in our family for years. This irresistible combination of cereals, pretzels, and spices is perfect for sharing with friends, family, and coworkers during the festive season. With crunchy textures and bold flavors, this snack mix is guaranteed to become a favorite at any gathering, leaving everyone craving more. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, it’s the perfect addition to your holiday festivities!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cheerios toasted oat cereal
12 ounces (none)
Rice Chex
12 ounces (none)
Corn Chex
12 ounces (none)
Wheat Chex
14 ounces (none)
Cheese Nips
7 ounces (none)
Pretzel bits
12 ounces (none)
Pretzel sticks
12 ounces (none)
Mixed nuts
7 ounces (2 cans) (none)
Oleo (butter)
1/2 cup (melted)
Bacon drippings
3/4 cup (none)
Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
Garlic salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Celery salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Onion salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
2
In a medium saucepan, melt the oleo (butter) along with the bacon drippings over low heat.
3
Once melted, add the Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, celery salt, and onion salt. Stir well to combine and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Cheerios, Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, cheese nips, pretzel bits, pretzel sticks, and mixed nuts.
5
Pour the melted seasoning mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
6
Spread the mixture evenly onto several cookie sheets.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even baking and crispiness.
8
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before transferring to ziplock bags or festive jars for serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandma's Holiday Snack Mix?
Grandma's Holiday Snack Mix is a savory and crunchy tradition made from a blend of cereals, pretzels, and nuts coated in a seasoned butter and bacon dripping mixture.
At what temperature should I bake the snack mix?
The snack mix should be baked in an oven preheated to 200°F (93°C).
How long does the baking process take?
The mix needs to bake for a total of 2 hours to ensure it becomes perfectly crispy.
How often should I stir the mixture while it is in the oven?
You should stir the snack mix every 30 minutes during the 2-hour baking period to ensure even baking.
What types of Chex cereal are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and Wheat Chex.
What kinds of pretzels are included in the mix?
This holiday mix uses both 12 ounces of pretzel bits and 12 ounces of pretzel sticks.
Does this recipe use butter or margarine?
The recipe specifically lists 1/2 cup of oleo, which is margarine, but butter is a common substitute.
What unique fat is used to flavor this snack mix?
This recipe uses 3/4 cup of bacon drippings to provide a deep, savory flavor.
What salts are used for seasoning?
The seasoning includes 2 teaspoons each of garlic salt, celery salt, and onion salt.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Is there any heat or spice in this mix?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce is added to the seasoning mixture for a hint of spice.
What cheese-flavored ingredient is included?
The recipe includes 7 ounces of Cheese Nips crackers.
How many ounces of Cheerios are required?
You will need 12 ounces of toasted oat Cheerios.
What quantity of mixed nuts should be used?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of mixed nuts, which is typically equivalent to two cans.
How much Rice Chex is needed?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of Rice Chex cereal.
How much Corn Chex is needed?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of Corn Chex cereal.
How much Wheat Chex is needed?
This recipe uses a slightly larger amount of Wheat Chex, totaling 14 ounces.
What is the first step in preparing the seasoning?
The first step is to melt the oleo and bacon drippings together in a medium saucepan over low heat.
Do I need to simmer the seasoning mixture?
Yes, once the sauces and salts are added to the fats, let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.
How should I combine the wet and dry ingredients?
Pour the melted seasoning mixture over the bowl of dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
What should I bake the mixture on?
The mixture should be spread evenly across several cookie sheets.
Can I store the snack mix immediately after baking?
No, you must allow the mix to cool completely before transferring it to storage containers.
What are the best containers for storage?
Ziplock bags or festive glass jars are recommended for serving and storage.
Is this a good recipe for large gatherings?
Yes, with over 80 ounces of dry ingredients plus nuts and seasonings, it makes a very large batch perfect for parties.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as a snack mix, holiday treat, party snack, savory mix, chex mix, family recipe, and christmas snack.
Can this be made in advance?
Yes, it is an ideal make-ahead snack because it stores well in airtight containers or jars.
Is the recipe easy to make?
Yes, the instructions describe it as easy to prepare, mostly involving mixing and periodic stirring during baking.
What makes this recipe a holiday tradition?
Its savory flavor profile and the ability to share it in festive jars make it a cherished family tradition during the holiday season.
Does the recipe require any special preparation for the ingredients?
Most ingredients require no preparation; only the oleo (butter) needs to be melted as part of the seasoning process.
How many total ingredients are in this snack mix?
There are 15 distinct ingredients used to create this snack mix.