Party Mix is our family’s version of traditional Chex Mix combining Cheerios, Rice Chex and Wheat Chex cereals with pretzels, mixed nuts and seasonings and slow roasted to perfection.
There are several versions of “Chex Mix” out there, but my mom’s recipe is the only one for me. Growing up, we simply called it “Party Mix,” and it was something we looked forward to each year around the holidays.
My mom would make one large batch leading up to Christmas, enough to fill a giant Tupperware container. It would pain me and my brothers when she’d give some away in the holiday treat packages she’d give to others because that meant less for us. Today, I also fill up the large Tupperware container with Party Mix each December and try to make it last the whole month, saving the last little nibble for New Year’s Eve.
My mom’s recipe (pictured below) combines Cheerios, Rice Chex and Wheat Chex cereals, pretzels, mixed nuts and seasonings. Note, she mixes the oil and seasonings in a blender before adding it to the other ingredients. I haven’t tried that method, but I do take some liberty with the actual amounts of each ingredient, sometimes adding more of one item and less of another. And, I love to mix up my pretzels with some holiday-shaped ones (snowflakes, bells and trees) that are out this time of year.
Heads up, this is a recipe that can’t be rushed. It requires a few hours time, spent in close proximity to the oven, in order to give the Party Mix a good stir every 15 minutes. But, in the hustle and bustle of the season, I look forward to this process each year knowing it will fill my house with good smells and ensure I have one of our family’s favorite holiday treats to last throughout the entire season. Fingers crossed!
