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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)!
i love your recipe and have made it several times over the past few years. I play around with it from time to time adding extras that are in our pantry. This batch I added roasted pepitas and spicy Cheez-its (In place of bagel chips… to save me a trip to the store) I added fresh ground black pepper and a dash or five of chili powder. Your recipe provides the best base for creative additions. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Cindy! I am so glad you have been loving this and I hope you continue to! xTieghan
Thanks for sharing the recipe
Thank you! I hope you try this! xTieghan
got it to salty any suggestions
Elaine
tel60@mtcnow.net
HI Elaine, why don’t you try using unsalted butter next time. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope this helps! Thank you!! xTieghan
thank you so much for the recipe! I’ve augmented it with liquid smoke and spicy peanuts
Thank you Adam! Sounds amazing! xTieghan
Can this recipe be easily halved? Thanks!
Yes this is super easy to cut in half! Please let me know if you have any questions! xTieghan
This is absolutely the best chex mix, I’ve ever made and eaten. I’ve been making chex mix for at least 35 years and this was super yummy! Increasing the butter, bagel chips, nuts and pretzels made the difference. I also increased the seasoning salt just a bit because I prefer more salt. I spread it in two roasting pans and it turned out perfectly. After it was cooked, I sprinkled just a tad more seasoning salt on it and then spread it out on paper towels. It is not soggy and so very crunchy and crisp. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you Jo! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! xTieghan
Third year in a row making this – the best! Thanks Tieghan!
Thank you Veronica! xTieghan
if this recipe matches the 1000 other identical recipes on the internet and you’re advertising it, what exactly is the secret?
Hi Ted, if you read the blog post you will see that I call out all the differences and exactly what my mom does. She has double the spices and the butter amounts. Nothing major, but makes all the difference. If you look at other recipes online and compare you can also see the differences. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and I hope you had Merry Christmas! xTieghan
I make chex mix every year and I always use less of the cereal and add replacements such as bugles, teddy grams,and cheese crackers. Basically any snack they like better than the cereal. But I love the spice changes you suggested. They are eating it right out of the oven. I’m on the second batch!,
Yes! That is so great! Thank you so much Pam! xTieghan
This takes me back to my childhood. My Grandma made this around the holidays. I learned later that my great aunt used bacon grease for part of the butter! It adds great flavor, you just have to think ahead and save your bacon grease (my mother used to have a container of stored bacon grease growing up). Adding Tabasco is good, too. You can totally play with the recipe and cereals/mix to make it your own. Thank you for posting this. I’m going to add the ingredients to my shopping list. I think it’ll bring some much needed holiday cheer to the house!
Haha I have heard it adds more flavor! I hope you and your family love this recipe Julie! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This recipe turned out awesome! Just finished and our whole house smells amazing!
Question: do you have a recommendation on a substitute for Worcestershire sauce? I have a friend that is allergic to seafood and can’t have it.
HI! You can use vegan Worcestershire sauce OR you can use low sodium soy sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and Merry Christmas! xTieghan
https://www.annies.com/products/condiments-sauces/organic-vegan-worcestershire-sauce
Looks delicious! Does it matter if the butter is salted or unsalted? Do you have a preference?
HI! I always use salted butter but for this recipe either or will work well. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
this is gorgeous! That color! Sounds so delicious!
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Do you think this would keep for a couple weeks in a mason jar?
HI! Yes, you can keep in a sealed container for up to 1 week. I should still stay OK for longer, but for best taste enjoy within a week. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
I just made this and it is amazing! Thank you and Merry Christmas!!
I am so glad you like this! Thank you! Merry Christmas! xTieghan