Thanksgiving Snack Mix is the perfect thing to leave out on the kitchen counter for hungry guests while dinner’s cooking – zero effort, major flavor, and easily customizable!
You might make this savory Thanksgiving snack mix to stave off hungry hoards of guests until the main meal is served, but don’t be surprised if it becomes the star of the show. This irresistible party mix is crunchy, buttery, and full of unexpected fall flavors. Make it for the big day, a friendsgiving, or a weekend game day gathering, but whatever you do, just make it!
who invented the snack mix?
Snack mixes became popular in the 1950s with the introduction of Chex mix by Ralston Purina. It was basically a marketing ploy to get people to buy more of their Chex cereal! They published their official Chex Party Mix recipe* in 1952 and it took off from there. We love the concept, and Thanksgiving snack mix is just the latest snackable variation out of my kitchen:
- Sweet and Spicy Bar Mix
- Gone Loco Party Mix ~ the Ultimate No Bake Recipe
- Naughty and Nice Party Mix Recipe
- Christmas Popcorn Snack Mix
what makes this a Thanksgiving snack mix?
Glad you asked! It’s two things really: first, we lean into the savory flavors of a Thanksgiving meal with garlic powder and fresh minced rosemary in the buttery coating, and we also highlight fall flavors in the mix itself with pumpkin seeds, pecans and, drum-roll please…French’s fried onions! Yep, everyone’s favorite crunchy onion bits make a guest appearance in this mix, and yep, it’s a great idea.
what you’ll need for the snack mix
- pretzels – I used a mix of pretzel sticks and square “waffle” pretzels
- corn Chex cereal
- Cheez-its
- pecan halves
- sesame sticks
- pumpkin seeds
- French’s® crispy fried onions
for the sauce
The warm butter sauce is truly the secret to why this homemade snack mix is so irresistible.
- butter
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- fresh rosemary
frequently asked questions
Can I customize the ingredients in my Thanksgiving snack mix?
- Absolutely! Snack mix is highly versatile. Swap out ingredients based on your preferences or dietary needs. Try using different spices and herbs, different types of nuts and cereal to create unique flavor profiles. Remember to look for unseasoned ingredients, as you’ll be adding the seasoning.
How long will this snack mix keep?
- package in an airtight container and it will last up to 2 weeks.
How to make this snack mix allergy-friendly?
- nuts and sesame are top allergens so you would leave out the pecans and sesame sticks. But be aware that a mix like this composed of various commercially prepared items is not easy to make allergy free and there can be hidden allergens in the ingredient lists.
Can I swap olive oil for the butter?
- Yes, sure, you can absolutely use olive oil instead of butter! In fact, olive oil can add a unique depth of flavor to your Thanksgiving snack mix and is a healthier alternative to butter.
more easy holiday appetizers and snacks
- Christmas popcorn snack mix
- pigs in a blanket
- Jarcuterie!
- Easy Roasted Olives
- dark roasted almonds
- naughty and nice party mix
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Thanksgiving Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups pretzels (I used a mixture of pretzel sticks and square waffle pretzels)
- 1 cups Chex corn cereal, plain
- 1 cup Cheez-its, original
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup sesame sticks
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (unsalted and unroasted)
- 1 cup French's fried onion pieces
for the sauce
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary (plus more for garnish if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
the sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, brown the butter.
- Remove from the heat and add the garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary, stir to combine.
the snack mix
- In a large mixing bowl combine all of the mix ingredients EXCEPT the French's fried onions.
- Pour the butter mixture over the snack mix, and use a silicone spatula to toss everything together. You want a nice even coating of the butter.
- Divide the mix onto the two prepared baking sheets, and spread out into a single layer.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Add the French's fried onions and gently toss everything together. Serve and garnish with more fresh rosemary if desired.
Nutrition
*The Original Mid-Century Chex Party Mix Recipe
This recipe was first introduced in a 1952 advertisement in Life magazine, marking the beginning of Chex Party Mix’s popularity.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup nuts (such as mixed nuts or peanuts)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a shallow baking pan, melt the butter.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and garlic salt.
- Add the Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, and nuts to the pan, mixing well to ensure even coating.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even toasting.
- Allow the mix to cool before serving.
Love the smoked paprika in there!
One of my all time favorite spices, I add it to almost everything.