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Best Easy Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chex Mix Recipe

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This Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chex Mix is the ultimate game day snack, combining crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and a kick of cayenne for an addictive, crowd-pleasing treat. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or any time you need a crunchy, savory-sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups Rice Chex Cereal
  • 3 cups Corn Chex Cereal
  • 1 cup Pretzel Sticks
  • 1 cup Mixed Nuts (peanuts, cashews, or almonds)
  • 6 strips Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (melted)
  • 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Cook the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Alternatively, bake them at 400°F for 15-18 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Once cool, crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, pretzel sticks, and mixed nuts. Toss gently with your hands to distribute evenly.
  4. Make the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved.
  5. Coat the mix: Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
  6. Spread on the baking sheet: Pour the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Do not overcrowd — use two sheets if needed.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. The mix should look slightly darker and smell amazing. It will crisp up as it cools.
  8. Add the bacon: Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top and toss gently to combine.
  9. Cool completely: Let the mix cool on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes. It will continue to crisp as it cools. Do not rush this step.
  10. Serve or store: Transfer to a serving bowl or store in an airtight container.

Notes

For the best texture, use fresh cereal. Stale Chex will turn soggy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pretzels and double-check your Worcestershire sauce brand. Add bacon after baking to keep it crispy. Cool completely before storing to avoid sogginess. The flavors get better after a day or two.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet and spicy bacon chex mix, bacon chex mix, game day snack, party mix, easy snack recipe

Find it online: https://cookdella.com/best-easy-sweet-and-spicy-bacon-chex-mix-recipe/