Barbecue Snack Mix
A flavorful, crunchy barbecue snack mix combining savory nuts, crackers, and pretzels coated in a sweet and tangy seasoning, perfect for parties, casual snacking, or sharing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the corn rice cereal, nuts, oyster crackers, mini pretzels, and bite-size Cheddar cheese crackers in a jellyroll pan.
- Melt the butter or margarine.
- Stir in the barbecue seasoning, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the jellyroll pan and stir to coat evenly.
- Bake for 45 minutes at 250°F, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Pour onto wax paper to cool before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added crunch, consider using flavored nuts or adding seeds like pumpkin or sunflower. If you’re short on barbecue seasoning, a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar can serve as a substitute. Ensure the butter is fully melted before combining with the spices for an even coating. Adjust the spice level by using hot barbecue seasoning for a kick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Barbecue Snack Mix as a fun appetizer at parties or game days. It pairs beautifully with a refreshing drink like iced tea or lemonade. For a complete spread, consider offering alongside American recipes such as Baked Fish With Cheese Sauce or a fresh Creamette Summer Salad to balance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigerating, as this can lead to sogginess. If you want to refresh the mix, simply spread it on a baking sheet and reheat in a 250°F oven for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Barbecue Snack Mix contains roughly 568 calories, with 8g protein, 93g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is a good source of protein (17% of the Daily Value), iron (17% of the Daily Value), and potassium (10% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this snack mix ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Barbecue Snack Mix can be made a few days in advance. Just store it in an airtight container once it cools completely. This allows the flavors to meld, making it even more delicious when served later.
What can I substitute for oyster crackers?
If you don't have oyster crackers on hand, you can easily replace them with mini bagel chips or even regular saltine crackers. Both options will maintain the crunch while adding a slightly different flavor profile to the mix.
How can I make this snack mix spicier?
To increase the heat in your Barbecue Snack Mix, consider adding cayenne pepper or using a spicy barbecue seasoning. You can also toss in some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the butter mixture for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).