Gluten-Free Sweet and Crunchy Snack Mix
When I shared several gift ideas in my Gifts of Good Taste post for our Gluten-Free Holiday event, I mentioned that my husband’s late aunt and uncle only really wanted my snack mix each year for Christmas. It’s not a traditional one, but it’s outstanding. Snack mixes are usually spicy and salty, but this one shown above is a mixture of sweet and salty, plus crunchy, of course (all good snack mixes should be crunchy!). Think of a lovely light-tasting snack mix, but with chunks of caramelized goodness alternating with salty bites. This snack mix has long been a family favorite for holidays and is much enjoyed by friends at our occasional parties as well.
Do you see my special Chex tins? I used them to store snack and party mixes for events or just as a holding area until I transfer the mix to gift containers. The tins are showing a bit of wear after years of use, but I still like them. A very, very long time ago I ordered a tin using Chex proofs of purchase. When it didn’t arrive after several months, General Mills sent me two tins to make up for the delay. I was grateful and since I ended up having two snack mixes that I make all the time, having two tins worked out perfectly. When I’ve made Chex mix–Classic Spicy Snack Mix–I started out using the recipe that’s inside the lid, substituting flavors of Chex cereal that are labeled gluten free, and making a few more adjustments to my family’s liking. (Even the original recipe was a little different from the one that’s commonly referred to as the original today. That seems to happen a lot.)
In the interest of full disclosure (it’s always WYSIWYG here at gfe—i.e., What You See Is What You Get), I’ll remind you that I’ve gotten sick every time that I have eaten the “gluten-free” Chex cereals. Others report the same on gluten-free forums and blogs. It doesn’t seem there are a huge percentage of us who react to products that are less than 20 ppm gluten (any maybe all who react are not vocal on the subject, do not realize they are having a reaction, or doubt their reaction since they are eating a “gluten-free” product), but we exist just the same and those of us who are vocal all cite a gluten reaction. Yes, it’s a gluten reaction. It’s not the flu, it’s not another food issue, etc. I spoke about this reality before when I shared my trip to General Mills, aka Betty Crocker Central. I hope one day I can eat the Chex cereal safely, just so I can enjoy these snack mixes once or twice a year. But, until then, I will still make snack mixes using Chex for those in my family who do not eat gluten free. If you’re eating “gluten-free” Chex and plan to continue to do so or don’t eat gluten free, then you’ll love these recipes.
Sweet and Crunchy Snack Mix
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter (or non-dairy equivalent)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (or palm/coconut sugar)
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- 4 cups Corn Chex
- About 10 ounces of small gluten-free pretzels (optional, but preferred)
- About 10 ounces of salted, mixed nuts (or your favorite kind; we usually prefer cashews)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut butter into slices and place in large roasting pan. Place in oven for one minute until butter melts.
- Stir in brown sugar well.
- Add other ingredients individually, stirring well, but somewhat gently, after each addition. Bake for one hour, stirring well every 15 minutes.
- Cool. (See notes.)
Notes
If you are not gluten free, you can actually use Crispix, but gluten-free readers, please know that Crispix is not gluten free because it contains barley in the form of malt flavoring. If you know of another square, crispy cereal that you can safely eat, you can substitute that for the Chex. I usually use Ener-G Foods small pretzel twists because they are just the right size, as well as nice and crunchy. I use one whole bag of their product. I open two brown paper grocery bags, inside surface exposed (one on top of the other), on the counter. I pour the mix onto the bags and spread out for cooling. This method also helps absorb excess butter. I haven’t yet tried it, but I think this mix could be wonderful if made with coconut oil instead of butter. I’m sure it would also work with non-dairy butter equivalents like Earth Balance. This recipe makes a lot so you’ll need to halve it if you don’t have a large roasting pan or similar baking pan to bake the snack mix in. I highly recommend that your baking pan have high sides.Adapted from Taste of Home magazine.
Classic Spicy Chex Snack Mix
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (or non-dairy equivalent)
- 1 tbsp seasoned salt
- 3 tbsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce (adjust to taste; at the time I am writing this, both Lea & Perrins brand and French's brand are gluten free, but always read labels)
- ¼ to ½ tsp cayenne pepper or chipotle powder (optional; for those who like a little heat)
- 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
- About 10 ounces small gluten-free pretzels (optional, but preferred)
- About 10 ounces salted mixed nuts (or your favorite kind; we usually prefer cashews)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut butter into slices and place in large roasting pan. Place in oven for one minute until butter melts.
- Stir in seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add other ingredients individually, stirring well, but somewhat gently, after each addition.
- Bake for one hour, stirring well every 15 minutes.
- Cool. (See notes.)
Notes
Adapted from General Mills Traditional Chex Party Mix, recipe circa 1980As noted in the Sweet and Crunchy Snack Mix recipe, I usually use Ener-G Foods small pretzel twists because they are just the right size as well as nice and crunchy. I use one whole bag of their product. I open two grocery bags, inside surface exposed (one on top of the other), on the counter. I pour mix onto the bags and spread out for cooling. This also helps absorb excess butter. I haven’t yet tried it, but I think this mix could be wonderful if made with coconut oil instead of butter. I’m sure it would work with non-dairy butter equivalents like Earth Balance. This recipe makes a lot so you’ll need to halve it if you don’t have a large roasting pan or similar baking pan to bake the snack mix in. I highly recommend that your baking pan have high sides.You can see from the photos that the containers that held the nuts (as well as other suitable containers, like large Frito “tins”) were used as my gift container. It’s easy to wipe them out well after they are used, store away until needed, then wrap them in wrapping paper (great way to use those small scraps), fill with snack mix, and then top with a label and bow. Glass jars and tins may also be used. (However, the glass jars and bottles in this photo are ones that I used for Honey Butter and Homemade Vanilla Extract.) Children can definitely help with these activities. Don’t obsess over the gift packaging being "just so". Uncle Charlie will get a much bigger kick out of little Becky's wrapping efforts than he will out of the package that you wrapped so perfectly. Plus, the snack mix gets eaten pretty quickly and the container often gets tossed just as quickly. Last, even a fairly small container of these snack mixes will be welcomed---either as part of a larger gift package or in a stocking. Everyone likes to have their “own” snack mix even if they don’t receive a big container. Add these snack mixes to your holiday gift giving and you'll be giving a great homemade gift and making your holiday giving less of a chore!
Update: I’ve submitted this post and the two snack mix recipes to this month’s host of Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten Free! blog carnival, Carol (Simply … Gluten Free). They are perfect for Carol’s theme of Family Traditions. Go Ahead Honey was created by the lovely Naomi of Straight Into Bed Cakefree and Dried. Each month a different blogger hosts with a different theme. It’s a fun event that’s been going on for several years now. I even hosted back in July 2009 with the theme, Go Ahead, Make Me A Happy Camper. You can see that roundup here.
Check out all the 25 Days of Christmas posts (to date) below. Some of the giveaways are wrapping up. I extended the Kitchen Table Bakers Cheese Crisps giveaway one more day through midnight tonight; enter here. The Gluten-Free Holiday Giveaway Galore x 10 (a great package with children’s book and goodies to try out) also ends at 10:00 pm tonight; don’t miss that. Finally, read my review of Kelly Brozyna’s new cookbook, The Spunky Coconut Grain-Free Baked Goods & Desserts, and enter the giveaway! But, again, if you’ve missed any of the other posts, take a moment to check them out. There are eye-opening and moving personal stories of celiac/gluten intolerance, travel reviews, conference reviews, product reviews, and, of course, recipes!
Day 1 – Gluten-Free Holiday Giveaway Galore x 10—Giveaway of the new book, Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?, plus gluten-free treats and fun stuff. (Open through Wednesday, December 15.)
Day 2 — Guest Post from Debi Smith (Hunter’s Lyonesse)—My Journey Back to Healthy Living
Day 3 — Corn and Butter Bean (or Lima Bean) Casserole for A Gluten-Free Holiday
Day 4 — Little Cayman Beach Resort Review
Day 5 — 20 (Plus) Thoughts on International Food Bloggers Conference
Day 6 — Nutiva Products (Coconut, Hemp x 2, & Chia) Review and Giveaway (Giveaway has ended.)
Day 7 — Reindeer Antlers Punch for Share Our Holiday Table (Give to a great charity.)
Day 8 – Flourless Pecan Sandies (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free)
Day 9 — Volcano Pancake and Other Breakfast Fare Plus Allegro Marinade
Day 10 – The Palate Peacemaker’s Pecan Butter & Pumpkin … Uh Oh … Cake!
Day 11 — Kitchen Table Bakers Crisps Review and Giveaway (Open through Wednesday, December 15.)
Day 12 — Guest Post: Linda Etherton (The Gluten-Free Homemaker)
Day 13 — The Spunky Coconut Grain-Free Baked Goods & Desserts Cookbook Review and Giveaway (Giveaway ends Sunday, December 19.)
Full disclosure: I was one of the gluten-free bloggers who attended the General Mills Gluten-Free Bloggers Summit in November. Most of my expenses were paid for by General Mills for that trip. However, this post is not a paid article. The opinions expressed here are clearly my own.
This post is linked to Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten Free, and Saturday Night Fever.
Wendy @ Celiacs in the House says
So tempting, but I am one of those who needs zero gluten. Too bad, because I was one of those who preferred the Chex Mix to the cookies at Christmas. I go for the salty and crunchy over the sweet and gooey anytime.
Shirley says
Hi Wendy–Yep, I’m right there with you on the zero gluten. I’d love to try Kim’s suggestion though and use Health Valley Crunchem’s to see how those go. Her “no reactions” comment makes them worth a try … will definitely seek those out. I looked online and the closest store that carries them is an hour away, so Crunchem snack mix probably won’t happen this year. 🙁 Salty and crunchy is such a fabulous combo in both these snack mixes and I miss them. 😉
Hoping for safe, salty, crunchy snack mixes for us both in 2011!
Shirley
cheryl says
Hi Shirley,
That’s interesting…I thought GM had dedicated facilities and hopefully they decide to go the extra mile and start testing, too. I’ve heard of similar experiences What was their response to your comments? How sweet of you to make the mix for your family!
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–General Mills considers their separate part of the buiding to be a “dedicated environment” and I believe that’s where all their gf baking mixes are made. BUT, other products labeled gf are NOT processed in this dedicated environment and order of processing and cleaning lines comes into play. To be clear, General Mills says they do ELISA5 testing to ensure gluten levels are less than the 20 ppm requirement proposed by the FDA. Most of the General Mills’ staff and contractor personnel were very receptive to our comments, but it remains to be seen what will happen. Carol Shilson from UCCDC also stated that they recommend GFCO certification, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed! This is one of the very few products that I consider unsafe for me, but that I am happy to make for my family. However, if there was gluten flour flying or anything involved like that, fuhgeddaboutit! 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
Carolyn says
I have/had those very same tins! LOL!
Shirley says
Hey Carolyn–Wow, I’ve never met anyone else who has had them! We are kindred spirits! 🙂
You’ll be at LCBR on Friday—have fun!!!!
Shirley
Mandy says
Love the chex mix! Such a great snack! Esp around the holidays.
Shirley says
Hi Mandy–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 Yes, snack mixes seem extra special this time of year. Both of these mixes go pretty quickly, but I’m partial to the sweet and crunchy version myself. 😉
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
Shirley, I know I am so behind on your series this month, but I will go back and catch up now that I can come up for air a bit. We love making mixes like this all of the time. I actually use the Health Valley “Chex” cereal (Called rice cruch ems, I think). They look and taste like Chex, but we have no reactions to it in our house. Thank you for sharing these yummy snack gift ideas! I have not made these yet this season. Maybe this would be a good time to start! xoxo
Shirley says
Hi Kim–No worries, dear … I’m behind on my own series! LOL No need to catch up. Thanks so much for mentioning the Health Valley Crunch’ems. They aren’t sold locally, but I will definitely look for some when I venture further away from home to WF and the like. I’d love to make my snack mixes for our Valentine’s Day party using them. 🙂 Make the sweet and crunchy mix … we love it!
Hope life is continuing to settle down for you, but I know that’s unlikely given the approaching holidays. 😉 xoxo,
Shirley
Linda says
My mom always makes a Chex snack mix, and I know it is something my son misses. I don’t think he’s tried the gf Chex, but based on other reactions, I don’t want to risk it. Like you said, hopefully we’ll be able to eat it in the future.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Did you see Kim’s suggestion to use Health Valley Crunchems? I think we should try those in the snack mixes. As soon as I find some (not sold here locally), I’ll do so and report back. 🙂 Son would love them, too.
Shirley
Trish says
Worcestershire sauce is NOT gluten free, I am not sure if some brands make it GF, but most are NOT
Shirley says
Hi Trish–Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is most definitely gluten free as is stated here on their site. I hate that it contains HFCS, but I do use it occasionally. Last I knew, French’s brand was also gluten free, but I will check on that and report back. You raise a good point though, and I will update the post to show “gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.”
Thanks for your input!
Shirley
Shirley says
Trish–I just checked French’s brand of Worcestershire sauce again, too, and it’s still gluten free. So you can use either of those if they are available in your area.
Best,
Shirley
Valerie says
I love chex mix but I don’t make it very often cause its so delicious and addicting. But its a very good gift idea if you don’t know what to get for a loved one or friend.
Shirley says
Hi Valerie–It looks like you are new here … welcome to gfe! 🙂 Don’t we always reserve delicious and addicting for special occasions like the holidays? 😉 But, you are so right, if one makes it, one will eat it … rapidly. Yes, folks love these snack mixes and they are so much better to give as gifts than highly processed popcorn and the like.
Happy Holidays!
Shirley
Lexie says
Just hit the “print” button! Will make a batch tonight. I would take Chex Mix over most cookies. Thanks for posting this and reminding me to make some!
xo
lexie
Shirley says
Hi Lexie–Hope you made a batch or both recipes and have been enjoying them! These mixes only get made once or twice a year in my house and Son and I can’t eat them, but I’m excited about Kim’s suggestion on using Health Valley Crunchems. 🙂
Hope your holiday preps are going very well, dear! xo,
Shirley
Alisa Fleming says
Yum! Another classic from your kitchen Shirley.
Shirley says
Hi Alisa–Awww, a sweet comment—thank you! 🙂 Try the Sweet and Crunchy version … most folks are not familiar with that one, but love it once they’ve tried it. 😉
Shirley
Carol, Simply...Gluten-free says
mmmm, sweet, salty…everything i want in a snack!
Shirley says
Hi Carol–Thanks! We do love this snack mix. 🙂
Can’t wait to see the Go Ahead Honey roundup! Hugs,
Shirley