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Christmas Eve at our house has always had a very specific smell: buttery, garlicky Chex Mix toasting away in the oven while everyone hangs around the kitchen.
My mom’s version is all about adding more of the pieces everyone reaches for first—pretzels, bagel chips, and nuts—then coating everything really well in butter and savory seasoning. It’s crunchy, salty, extra toasty, and one of those simple traditions that instantly feels like Christmas.
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Personally, I am just a tad sad.
My very favorite time of year if almost over and it seems like Thanksgiving was just yesterday. I think the month of December needs to be like a whole sixty days and not just thirty-one. Really, the Christmas holiday deserves a whole two months of celebration in my opinion.
So this is the last of my mom’s recipes.
She only has a handful of recipes, and I’ve already shared three. Maybe next year I will share possibly one of my very favorite things she makes. We only have it once a year and it is amazing. And yes, it is totally all about chocolate and a little booze too. What? Yep, booze in Christmas desserts are a must.
Right now though we are talkin’ Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix. In our family, this too, is only made on Christmas Eve. You walk in the house, take a deep breath and you know right away it’s Christmas Eve at the Gerard’s. It’s one of the best smells ever.
I have to say, it was really weird making this before Christmas. It felt totally wrong and I will probably never do it again. Chex mix is a Christmas Eve only thing around here, and you better bet I will be making another double batch today.
Just gotta have that smell and something to munch on all night.
So, Mom’s recipe is really not a secret, it is just smart.
Basically, she added more of the good stuff. You know, the stuff everybody always picks for. The pretzels, bagel chips and nuts. And then the most important thing she upped? The butter and seasonings. Yup, she is pretty smart.
Gotta have lots of butter on Christmas. Well, really just lots of everything good on Christmas!
Also, Mom has always baked her chex mix in the oven.
Seriously, do not try to make this in the microwave. Eww, that is just not good. Go for the oven.
Nothing is better than chex mix baking in the oven, the Christmas music + movies going and people just about everywhere! Mom and I in the kitchen, the brothers hanging around eating, the brother’s friend joining them and the cousins telling stories and just plain making thing so much better!
Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix.
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn chex
- 3 cups rice chex
- 2 cups whole wheat chex
- 2 cups mixed nuts
- 2 cups bite-size pretzels
- 2 cups garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular bagel chips
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.2. In large bowl, mix the chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels and bagel chips. Set aside.3. Melt the butter in a bowl and mix in the worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and a good pinch of pepper. Pour the butter over the cereal mixture, tossing well for 3-5 minutes or until the cereal mixture is evenly coated.4. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes (or just start eating!!). Store in airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Merry Christmas Eve!! It is my favorite night of the year!! 🙂
Oh, and I almost forgot to announce the winner of the KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway. First, can I just say I was BLOWN AWAY by the incredible comments you guys left. WOW! Pretty much every comment was not about a gift for you, it was about making your family happy, healthy and together for the holidays. I read every single comment and really, you guys that is what Christmas is about. Family, happiness and being together. I am simply in awe of all of you! Ok and the winner is Kortnie Madison-King! Congrats!! Shoot me an email as soon as possible (like by Thursday night)!
The bagel chips are my favorite part of Chex Mix so I just love this. Wish I was snacking on some right now!
The bagels chips are the best!! My favorite too! 🙂
Thanks Laura!
Thanks for sharing your mom’s secret recipe! I will be trying this chex mix recipe for new years.
Thanks Layla!
It’s New Year Day mix in my family–my mother always made a lovely batch, and we would eat it while watching the Rose Parade (and Rose Bowl), so Chex Mix has good associations for me, also! This looks like a good one (a couple years ago, I rounded up a variety of recipes, but I think classic is best). Going to print this, and think I better add you to my blog feed!
Thank you, Rebecca! 🙂
Hope you love this recipe and thanks for adding me to your feed!
Merry Christmas Tieghan! This mix sounds delicious! And so does your Monkey bread you posted yesterday (I think!) I’ve never cooked a mix like this in the oven, I bet it makes it nice and crispy/crunchy!
Thank you, Chelsea!! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!! 🙂
This looks SO good and reminds me of making chez mix with my grandparents when I was a kid. We always added extra butter and spices, too!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Kristin! And I hope you had a great Christmas!
Thank goodness for simple, delicious recipes like this! And it’s super special since it’s from Mom 🙂
Thanks!
Oh I love the idea of 60 days in December! Christmas really does need 2 months of celebrating! I love homemade chez mix – it is so good! Your mom’s version sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you, cate!
Oh my goodness that sounds delicious! I do love a good chex mix, definitely is the perfect snack for the holidays. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thank you! Chex mix is my favorite!
You’re mom must be so proud to take over this little space for a few days! 🙂 Her recipes are so foolproof–I could definitely use more of those in my life. I tend to over complicated things, if you know what I mean.
Merry Christmas Tieghan!! Hope you have a relaxing (and work free) day to relax with your family. And enjoy the new house 🙂 No stress allowed, haha.
YOUR mom. Sorry, major typos going on today.
I do that same thing. Over complicate everything. It killed not to mess with these recipes! LOL!
Thanks Laura! Hope you had a great Christmas!
I need to hop on the holiday chex mix tradition! This stuff looks like lots of fun to snack on while hanging with the family tonight. It’s probably amazing at absorbing booze…not that I’m drinking booze this evening or anything… 😉 Happy Xmas eve!!
Thanks Julia! Hope you had a great Christmas!
Love your easy recipes lately. Seriously girl, I really love the easy, foolproof, fast stuff. Your complicated and uber creative recipes are just so over the top AMAZING but the chances of me getting around to them aren’t likely; but the past week or so, I can and hope to make some of this stuff 🙂 I have a recipe for Parmesan Ranch snack mix that I posted this time last year (on vacation and needed something fast!). So I know I’d love your version! Pinned
Thank you, Averie!! I totally know what you mean! 🙂
Hope you had an awesome Christmas!
I’m not easily imrepssed. . . but that’s impressing me! 🙂
That’s an expert answer to an interesting question
This looks so good!! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas to your and your family Tieghan!
Thanks Kathy!!
Merry Christmas, Kathy! 🙂
I’d venture that this article has saved me more time than any other.
Thanks!
Oh goodness – your Mum’s recipes are amazing. So decadent and so more-ish!
Hope that you have a great Christmas – and next year two months of festive recipes!!! x
Yes!!
Thanks Skye! 🙂
Merry Christmas girl! This looks so easy and delicious, I love me a good Chex Mix (and so does my hubby!) I hope you have a fabulous Christmas stuffing your face with all kinds of delicious-ness! 🙂
Thanks Taylor! Merry Christmas to you as well! I hope you have a great one!
Merry Christmas Tieghan – thanks for sharing your recipes. This Chex Mix will soon be made at our home – too late to make today/tonight but for sure New Years! Hope you and your family have a fun filled Christmas.
Thank you, Judith! Merry Christmas!