Kids in the Kitchen: Chex Party Mix

MMM...Chex Party Mix.  The best is homemade!  Have you made it before?  If not, I would encourage you to do so.  No party is needed.  I cannot imagine it going stale, though if you are single with no children you may just want to try a half batch...but probably only the first time you make it if you are as naughty as I am.

For years I only made this in the oven.  (I made my first batch in 2001.)  This was my first time using the microwave.  Wow.  Salty goodness in just 5 minutes instead of an hour!  It didn't lose any flavor or crunch in the microwave, so this will be my new way to make it!  (And FYI, for years when I would make this I would buy generic Corn Chex and Rice Chex, but my stores never had generic Wheat Chex.  Walmart carries a generic version of Wheat Chex, in case you wanted to know.)

Chex Party Mix Recipe

3 cups Rice Chex

3 cups Corn Chex

3 cups Wheat Chex

1 cup mixed nuts (I just use dry roasted peanuts.)

1 cup bite-sized pretzels (I prefer broken pretzel sticks.)

1 cup bite-sized bagel chips (I omit and increase pretzels and nuts.)

6 tablespoons butter or margarine 

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (In the past I didn't have this and just used garlic salt...worked fine.)

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

In large microwavable bowl mix cereal, nuts, pretzels and chips; set aside.  In small microwavable bowl, heat butter until melted-about 40 seconds.  Stir in seasonings.  Pour over cereal mixture and mix thoroughly.

Microwave mix on high for 5-6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.  Spread and cool on paper towels. Store in air tight container.  YUM!!

Kid tasks: 

Breaking pretzels

Dumping and snacking

Mixing dry ingredients

Mom (and older child) tasks:

Measuring, if you have younger children,

Thoroughly mixing butter mixture into cereal mixture

Stirring heated mixture

Final results:

Chex Party Mix for a happy family!