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And it is Christmas Eve!!
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.
Servings: 12 Cups
Calories Per Serving: 212 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
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)!
Great recipe even if it’s not a secret 😉
I see how adding more butter creates a truly irresistible texture across all ingredients.
I had a quick sample straight out of the oven and thought it could use even more seasoning so I quickly ground up some nutritional yeast and red pepper flakes for and additional boost of flavour.
Hey there,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great Thursday:)
Every year I try a different Chex mix recipe for New Year’s Eve – this year I tried this one and it was my favorite one yet!
Hey Meghan,
I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! 🎊🎈
I made 4 batches for Christmas. My family said it was the best I’d ever made! Followed recipe exactly. Thanks mom 🧑🎄😉!
Hey Sarah,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your comment! xx
Secret???? Same as the other 1000
I was excited to try this but was a little disappointed because I bought the chex for the recipe and basically the exact same recipe is on the box as “original chex party mix” 🙁
Hey Alyssa,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! I’m not sure if you noticed, but this one of my first recipes I ever posted and I do share that this recipe isn’t really a “secret”, just made extra special:) Happy Holidays! xT
You’re right! I didn’t fully read that part of the post!! My bad
I make this every year and was looking to up my game, sooo I added Honey Nut Cheerios and used the honey wheat Chex., cut back the other cereal to accommodate…Wow yummy.
Hey CJ,
Happy Holidays!! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often, I love to hear that it always turns out well for you!🎁🎅
Thank you!! You saved my Chex mix!! I made some a few days ago and it just needed something. I used your advice to add more butter and seasonings and rebake. Yum!
Hey Nancy,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Hi! Does it matter what seasoned salt is used? Is lawrys ok? Thanks!!
Hey Patricia,
Lawrys is great! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Unreal. I used the recipe as more of guideline and got creative haha! Added goldfish, cheezits, variety of cereals, extra nuts, two kinds of pretzels, and “baguette bites”. Doubled the butter and worsct (only had half amount so made my own with soy sauce, ACV, and ketchup) tripled garlic and onion and a tad more salt! My friends and family are over the moon
Hey Molly,
Happy Wednesday!! I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a hit:)
I made this vegan by subbing vegan Worcestershire sauce and Earth Balance “butter” sticks, and it was sooooo good. We took a giant bag of it on a road trip over Thanksgiving, and couldn’t stop eating it! Someone mentioned that it was under-seasoned, but we thought it was plenty salty and flavorful. I still have all the Chex boxes in my pantry, so i’ll be making another batch soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Genevieve,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
What kind of pan did you use to bake?
Hi Karen,
I like to bake this on a sheet pan. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I was just sitting here wondering if Earth Balance would work, as members of my family are dairy intolerant. Thank you for posting this comment!
Jan-I use Earth Balance and the Violife plant butters and the Mix turns out equally great! My son is deathly allergic to Milk products….we’ve been doing this for years (over 20!) and it’s a Fam Fav tradition!
Made your Mom’s recipe last year and my hubby told me I could never make it the other way again. Got a huge pan in the oven right now! Happy Holidays!
Hey Melody,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
As written it’s underseasoned. Tastes like a more plain version of bagged Chex Mix to my household.
Surprisingly I needed to add more salt – I thought the saltiness of the ingredients + seasoned salt + salted butter would be enough but it wasn’t.
Next time I’ll double or triple the garlic/onion powder as well as add some spices of my own. Smoked paprika, a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne would go well.
Hi there,
Thanks for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. xTieghan
I modified this recipe for a lower sodium version. I used unsalted pretzels, unsalted nuts, unsalted butter, and a lower sodium Worcestershire sauce. It came out great! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Beth,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan
I made this as gifts for Christmas and people LOVED it! So, here it is January 17th and I’m making another batch! Thanks for the recipe; awesome!
Hi Rhonda,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
I love what u said in the beginning of this article I completely agree about what u said that u for this recipe it’s my first time making it and I’m using gold fish crackers and chees it’s
I hope you love the recipe!!
Is there an approximate shelf life ? I’ve never made this before. Thank you. Happy holidays!!
Hi Libby,
I would say about 1 week in an airtight container. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan