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High-Class Trash Chex Mix on Steroids

A Southern Belle’s Spicy High-End Chex Mix
Some years back, I had Chex Mix at a party, and it was different from the Chex Mix of my childhood. I liked it better. Some parts of the country call Chex Mix 'Trash.' This recipe uses additional ingredients than the original. It’s not an inexpensive recipe; however, I get more requests for it than any other during the holidays. People ask if I’m making it every year. (This is a double recipe).
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Ingredients

  • 4 cups Corn Chex
  • 4 cups Rice Chex
  • 4 cups Wheat Chex
  • 2 cups Bugles
  • 2 cups Cheez-its
  • 2 cups rye chips
  • 2 cups pretzel sticks
  • 2-3 cups Cheerios
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups Mixed nuts Walmart’s premium nut mix is great, as is Costco’s mix. Kroger has a premium pecan mix that is great when you can find it).  Raw pecans will roast in the mix.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
  • 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
  • 4 tsp seasoned salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp Cavender’s Greek Seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional for extra spicy mix)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 275°F and have one to two large, rimmed baking sheets ready.
  • Add all the dry mix into pans and mix well.
  • Add the butter, Worcestershire sauce, Tony's Creole Seasoning, seasoned salt, and garlic powder, onion powder, and Cavender’s Seasoning to a microwave-safe bowl. If you want the mix to be extra spicy, add the hot sauce as well. Heat at 30-second intervals until melted. Or cook on the cooktop. 
  • Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cereal mixture, then use your hands to toss until everything is evenly coated gently. Be sure to wash your hands well.
  • Add the mix to the rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, no thicker than 1 inch. Use a second baking sheet if necessary. 
  • Bake for 60 minutes. Every 20 minutes, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, return it to the oven, and bake for 20 minutes more. Allow to cool, then serve or store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
  • Note: I make on average 10 gallons of Trash during the holidays. I will be honest. I use a 36-quart plastic tub and dump in all the ingredients at once. I doubled the sauce mix to get it spicy and buttery. This is a double recipe.
Author: Mary Harvey Gurley