I’ve previously admitted to my weakness for onion chip dip. The quick review – I love that stuff so much I have to put it on lock down and only eat it from Thanksgiving through New Year’s (with two exceptions – Super Bowl and Daytona 500 weekends).
I have a similar control issue with the snack mix that is universally called Chex Mix, whether or not it actually uses the brand name cereals.
Last year, we took a look at what we were actually eating in that mix, and changed up the recipe. I can’t realistically call it healthier, but I’d be willing to call it “betterfied.” And because it now packs more nutrition and way more fiber than most snacks, I’ve removed it from the quarantine calendar system.
We are very careful with our carbs at SuzerSpace. A few years back we were diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic. I saw “we” even though it was only one lab test for one of us that confirmed it. I changed the way I look at food and exercise in support of Mr. SuzerSpace. And it’s paid off – I’m down several pounds and pant sizes, and I feel healthier than I ever have. And Mr. SuzerSpace’s last lab test actually show him at normal blood sugar levels.
The original recipe calls for a mix of the cereals, bagel chips, pretzels and mixed nuts, plus a stick of butter and several salty spices.
Not gonna fly here.
We’ve dropped the rice and corn chex because while they count for the carb total, they don’t provide enough nutrition to make the cut. Same with pretzels and bagel chips. Mixed nuts are to pricey, and and that salt is too much for us as well.
Our revamped mix is heavier on the Worcestershire sauce and relies on onion and garlic powder, which gives it a different, deeper flavor. We love it.
But the great thing about recipes is they are only starting points – always adjust seasoning to your taste!
We call it Couch Mix because that’s where most of it is consumed.
Couch Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups Wheat Chex (or store brand)
- 3 cups Whole Grain Cheerios
- 1 ½ cups Bran Twigs
- 1 ½ cups Honey Roasted Peanuts
- 2 tablespoons butter (don’t use margarine or spreads here, they melt weird)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder (powder, not the salt)
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder (powder, not the salt)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250.
2. Combine the cereals and peanuts in a baking dish.
3. In the microwave, melt the butter in a microwave safe cup.
4. Once melted, add in the Worcestershire and spices and stir well. Make sure the Worcestershire is not too cold or lumps will form as the butter solidifies.
5. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients in the pan. Toss or stir really, really, really well. This version uses much less liquid than the original and this is your one chance to get everything coated.
6. Bake for 1 hour, stirring throughly every 15 minutes.
7. Try and let it cool so you don’t burn your mouth. 🙂
Two tips:
- Those disposable cake pans
with the plastic lids are great for this. You can put the lid on when you aren’t eating it, and if you aren’t too fussy, you can make more than one batch per container (just toss out the weird crumbs before starting the next batch.
- A spaghetti server
is a great tool for stirring this mix during baking, and also handy for spooning it out into bowls for snacking. Because if you sit by the whole pan, you will eat the whole pan!
with the plastic lids are great for this. You can put the lid on when you aren’t eating it, and if you aren’t too fussy, you can make more than one batch per container (just toss out the weird crumbs before starting the next batch.
is a great tool for stirring this mix during baking, and also handy for spooning it out into bowls for snacking. Because if you sit by the whole pan, you will eat the whole pan!This post contains affiliate links.
Love this! Thanks for sharing it over at Food Friday. Excited to see what you’ll be sharing next! 🙂