10-Minute DIY Chex Mix Seasoning
This DIY Chex Mix seasoning is a bold take on the official recipe thanks to a few added spices like smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper. It's a copycat with a bit of a twist just to really enhance those savory, snacky flavors. Use it to make your own custom Chex Mix snack mixes, as well as for seasoning meat and vegetables!This recipe makes enough Chex Mix seasoning to make three batches of my homemade oven Chex Mix with pita chips.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons seasoned salt
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon MSG
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne (or red chile powder)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 part Worcestershire sauce
- 3 parts unsalted butter (melted, optional)
Instructions
- Combine all of the dry ingredients — seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), and MSG — together in a bowl or jar. Stir or shake well to combine.
- Use with Worcestershire sauce (and sometimes melted butter) to bring out the Chex Mix flavors.
RECIPE NOTES
- As a rule of thumb, you'll want to use a 1:3 ratio of Worcestershire Sauce to unsalted butter and a 1:3 ratio of Worcestershire Sauce to Chex Mix seasoning. So that means for every 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, you'd use 3 tablespoons melted butter, and 3 tablespoons Chex Mix seasoning blend.
- The only time you don't need to add butter is if you're using the Chex Mix seasoning as a meat marinade, brine, or breading mixture.
- For roasting or sauteing vegetables, you may prefer using oil instead of butter. Finish with a drizzle of Worcestershire sauce, or toss the veggies with a 3:1 mix of Worcestershire sauce and oil to cook.
- Storage: Store homemade Chex Mix seasoning in an airtight jar or container. It will stay good for at least 6 months when stored properly. While Chex Mix seasoning can last longer than 6 months, after 6 months you may notice the quality and taste of the ingredients beginning to degrade. Always give it a sniff test before use if you're not sure!
- Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment that adds a rich, umami flavor. The specific ingredients vary by brand, but it is commonly made from things like vinegar, anchovies, garlic, onions, tamarind, molasses, ginger, etc. Think of it like a European version of soy sauce. It provides a similar function and has a similarly intense, salty, fermented flavor. Without the strong savory umami flavors Worcestershire Sauce adds to Chex Mix, your DIY Chex Mix just won't taste like real Chex Mix. While most Worcestershire sauces are not vegan, there are vegan varieties out there, so if you're vegan make sure you grab one that is anchovy-free!
- Can you use Worcestershire Sauce powder instead of liquid Worcestershire sauce? No. I tried this, because it would be great to have an entirely shelf-stable Chex Mix seasoning that doesn't need to be mixed with anything to use. But Worcestershire powder just doesn't have the same intensity of flavor that liquid Worcestershire sauce does. It didn't taste like Chex Mix!