Cheese Ball Snack Mix
A crunchy, cheesy snack mix with savory flavors, perfect for parties, movie nights, or casual gatherings, combining nuts, cereal, pretzels, and cheese balls coated in a flavorful glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups salted cashews
- 1 cup crisp cheese ball snacks (Planters cheese balls) ⓘ
- 1 cup Corn Chex ⓘ
- 1 cup Rice Chex ⓘ
- 1 cup miniature pretzels ⓘ
- 1 cup chow mein noodles ⓘ
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the salted cashews, cheese ball snacks, Corn Chex, Rice Chex, miniature pretzels, and chow mein noodles.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, and chili powder.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the cereal mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer the coated mixture to an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 250°F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and baking.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist on flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder to the sauce mixture. You can substitute the cashews with almonds or pecans if desired. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, replace the Chex cereals with gluten-free alternatives, ensuring to check labels for any hidden gluten. This mix is highly customizable, so feel free to adjust the spices according to your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Cheese Ball Snack Mix in a large bowl for a fun party snack or portion it into individual bags for a great on-the-go treat. It pairs beautifully with Fluffy Cherry Salad for a refreshing contrast. This mix is perfect for game nights, picnics, or as a savory snack during movie marathons. Consider offering a dip like ranch or cheese sauce on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This will help maintain the crispiness of the snack mix. If you need to reheat it, spread it on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 250°F for about 10 minutes to restore some crunchiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cheese Ball Snack Mix contains roughly 418 calories, with 10g protein, 87g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (29% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2389mg per serving (104% 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 in advance?
Yes, you can prepare this Cheese Ball Snack Mix a day or two ahead of your event. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. The flavors will meld nicely, making it even tastier when served later.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Certainly! To make this Cheese Ball Snack Mix vegan, use a plant-based butter substitute and ensure that the cheese ball snacks are dairy-free. Check the labels on all ingredients to ensure they fit your dietary needs.
What can I do with leftovers if I have any?
If you have leftovers, consider using the snack mix as a topping for salads or soups for added crunch. You can also mix it into trail mix or use it as a crunchy topping for a yogurt parfait for a delicious twist.
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).