This classic snack mix recipe for Cheesy Cajun Chex Mix is the perfect blend of salty & spicy with hints of parmesan cheese and Cajun spices. This recipe makes a big batch of party mix that’s perfect for game day snacks or holiday party finger food.
Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
I can remember eating Chex Mix when I was a kid. My grandmother made a classic chex mix recipe with tons of cashews, which is one of my favorite nuts. It was my favorite snack during the holidays and she’d always send my mom home with tins for us when we’d leave.
This classic recipe can be customized in so many ways by using different cereals, changing up the spices, and adding in candy pieces. You really can’t go wrong with this easy snack. It’s so good you may want to make a double batch!
Love this Cheesy Cajun Chex Mix? Try my Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, or Triple Chile Queso Dip, or this easy and elegant Boozy Marinated Shrimp Cocktail recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Chex Mix
Here’s the list of snack mix ingredients for this easy recipe.
- Cone-Shaped Corn Snacks – such as Bugles
- Chex Cereal or Crispix – you can use a mixture of corn chex, rice chex, wheat chex, or just one of them. I like Crispix because it is corn and rice in one.
- Pretzels – mini pretzels, pretzel thins, pretzel twists or sticks
- Cheese Crackers – like Cheez-its or cheddar flavored goldfish crackers
- Nuts – cashews, peanuts, or pecans. Or a mix of nuts.
- Bagel Chips – or a mix of bagel chips and other crackers
- Butter – 1/2 cup melted butter either salted or unsalted
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Parmesan Cheese
- Spices – Cajun seasoning or creole seasoning
Find the printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
Substitutes & Variations
- Spices – this is a great base recipe that you can customize just by changing up the spices. Try substituting Cajun spices for dried ranch seasoning, a blend of garlic powder and onion powder, or add some spicy kick with a few dashes of hot sauce or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Crackers – substitute oyster crackers for snack mix
- Sauce – add in a few tablespoons of maple syrup for a spicy sweet version.
Special Equipment Needed
How to Make Cajun Snack Mix
This homemade chex mix recipe comes together really fast and only requires an hour of baking to make a delicious spicy chex mix.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- Toss together the cone-shaped snacks, cheese crackers, pretzels, corn cereal, cashews, bagel chip mix, parmesan cheese, and cajun seasoning together in a large bowl.
- Microwave butter until melted then whisk in Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture and toss lightly to coat. Spread mixture on large baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted and liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour; stirring every 15 minutes. Let the chex mix cool before storing in an airtight container.
What to Serve with Cheesy Cajun Chex Mix
List no bullets
Tips for Storing Leftovers
- Store in an airtight container or zip top bag for up to 2 weeks
FAQs
Let the chex mix cool completely before storing in an airtight container or zip top bag. This will prevent the snack mix from getting soggy.
Yes, this homemade chex mix recipe can be made without nuts. Just omit them and make the recipe as directed below.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Yes, you can substitute vegan butter in this recipe. Melt and proceed with the recipe. Note: Worcestershire sauce is not vegan.
NO! Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies. You can substitute soy sauce or tamari soy sauce for a vegan and/or gluten-free option or purchase vegan Worcestershire sauce from specialty stores.
More Recipes We Love
Short paragraph about related recipes
- Easy Cheesy Skillet Lasagna
- Cheesy Skillet Chicken Chilaquiles
- Cajun Shrimp Stew
- Pretzel Slider Buns
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Cheesy Cajun Chex Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cone-shaped corn snacks - such as Bugles
- 2 cups cheese crackers - such as Cheez-it or Goldfish crackers
- 2 cups corn cereal - such as Corn Chex or Crispix
- 2 cups pretzels
- 1 cup cashews - or other nuts
- ½ cup butter - melted
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ⅔ cup parmesan cheese - such as Kraft
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning - such as Spiceology Black Magic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250º F.
- Combine cone-shaped corn snacks, cheese crackers, cereal, pretzels, cashews, parmesan cheese, and cajun seasoning in a large bowl.
- Whisk butter and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
- Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture and toss lightly to coat. Spread chex mix onto a large rimmed baking sheet or 10×15-inch jelly roll pan.
- Bake about 1 hour; stirring every 15 minutes or until the chex mix is lightly toasted and all liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
Recipe By:
Co-Founder at Spiceology | More About Heather…
Heather is a recipe developer and content creator living in Vancouver, Washington. She started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006, almost 20 years ago, as a way to share recipes with friends and family. Heather is also the co-founder of Spiceology , a unique spice company, which she started in 2013. She shares family friendly recipes for easy everyday meals with a gourmet twist.
Love this recipe and hope you will too!