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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 put in a 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke in mine works great
Hey Adam,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! xTieghan
We always made this on Christmas Eve too!! And we added more of the good stuff also!! (I am laughing!) You are exactly right about the yummy smell- it’s the smell of the holidays for us! But we live it so much we began to make it a few more times. Now we make it all throughout the holiday season, because why not? Half the fun is making it! And we sketches even make it in HALLOWEEN. Gasp! I had one trick-or-treater say is that Chex mix I smell? Haha! Anyway, love your posts. Thanks so much!
Hey Terri,
I am so so glad that you liked the recipe, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Very nice! This also matches a tradition in my family. I don’t know if this is a COVID thing or if I’m just getting old, but I wanted to amp up the flavor a bit. I tried doubling everything except for the solid ingredients and the butter. Ate so much we had to skip dinner.
Hey Doug,
I am so thrilled that you have enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for making it:) xTieghan
Taught my g-daughter this recipe to teach her how to read a recipe and cook it. Came out delicious.
Hey Alex,
I am so glad you liked the recipe, thanks for giving it a go! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Great recipe! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your recipe
Hey Elliot,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Happy New Year
Does it make a difference in temperature and time when using a gas oven? Mine were a bit too dark for my liking when I baked it for the 1 hour at 250 degrees. Otherwise we loved it and didn’t last long.
Thanks
Hey Elke,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, so sorry yours was too well done. Next time, just reduce your baking time to your liking. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
In going to add ground hatch chili
I hope you love the recipe Dean! xTieghan
Hi! Thanks for the recipe! Do you bake them on parchment or what is your go to?
Thanks!
Hey Kristen,
I bake this directly on the baking sheet. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
So making Chex mix tonight and I googled Chex Mix because I couldn’t remember what exact temperature to put the oven on, but I know the recipe I use by heart. It was my Grandmothers, and I helped her make it for years. Her recipe was always the best and my family is also famous for Christmas Eve Chex Mix. Turns out it’s the same as this!! Double the butter and the spices from the recipe on the box is the key!!
Hey Nicole,
I hope you love the recipe! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is the only chex mix recipe I use. It has the perfect amount of butter and seasoning which is key to perfection. Thank you!
Hey Angela,
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Thinking about making this for Christmas break modified to be gluten free so I can indulge too! This sounds delicious and I’m craving it now. Can I ask what kind of seasoning salt you use?
Hey Sarah,
I get my seasoning salt from Whole Foods. I hope you lock the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Oh my gosh, my story sounds familiar! I only make my Chex mix during November and December! That being said, I end up making loads of it because it’s requested so much! I too add more of the good stuff ( I use Special request rye crisps by gardettos instead of garlic rounds.) Plus the addition of Cheese it’s. Everyone loves it and I must say that its dangerous to have around the house! Once I start eating it I usually have a hard time stopping! I’m a big lover of traditions so to hear about yours makes me happy!
Merry Christmas!
Hey Rose,
Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Oh my gosh! I crave this recipe and this recipes only every Christmas. It is the absolute most delicious best version of chex mix I have ever found. But of course I make substitutions…..LoL. Of the 8 cups of chex mix I use 6 cups of just wheat (I love the wheat!!!) I use a whole bag of garlic bagel chips, goldfish pretzels (because they are smaller) and then honey roasted peanuts and cashews. The spices, butter, and worcestershire sauce are spot on! Your mom is amazing and so are you.
Merry Christmas Tieghan!
Hey Wendy,
I am so glad you have been enjoying this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Wow,it looks delicious.I really love homemade dishes. Thank you for sharing. I will try to make this pickles for my family. I believe my family will like this very much. Love so much.
Hey there,
I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
This is looking so delicious. You are really awesome and have amazing cooking skill. I enjoy all of you recipes. Thank you for sharing this article
Thank you Eric! xTieghan