Easy BBQ Seasoned Chex Mix
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that disappear the fastest.
We recently needed an easy snack that would let people actually taste our BBQ seasonings without having to fire up a grill or smoker. The answer was about as simple as it gets: Corn Chex, butter, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and your favorite Burn Pit BBQ seasoning.
That's it.
The result is a crispy, buttery BBQ snack mix that's great for parties, tailgates, road trips, camping, or just keeping a bowl on the counter when you've got people over.
We made ours two ways using Pop Smoke Memphis Style BBQ Seasoning and Fire For Effect Sweet Heat BBQ Seasoning. Make one or split a couple boxes and try both.
Why Corn Chex Works So Well
Corn Chex is basically the perfect vehicle for BBQ seasoning. All those little squares and pockets grab onto the butter and seasoning, giving you plenty of flavor in every bite.
We also intentionally kept this recipe simple.
You could add pretzels, peanuts, crackers, cheese crackers, or whatever else you have in the pantry. But before you start loading it up, try the basic version. It's surprisingly good with just four ingredients.
BBQ Seasoned Chex Mix
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
Temperature: 250°F
Makes: Approximately 11–12 cups
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce box Corn Chex cereal
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons Burn Pit BBQ seasoning, plus more to taste
Pick Your Flavor
Sweet & Savory: Use Pop Smoke Memphis Style BBQ Seasoning for a classic sweet and savory BBQ flavor.
Sweet Heat: Use Fire For Effect Sweet Heat BBQ Seasoning when you want that same BBQ snack with a little kick.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 250°F.
Low and slow works here for the same reason it works on the smoker. We're not trying to toast the cereal as quickly as possible. We want to slowly bake the butter and seasoning onto it while keeping everything crispy.
2. Make the Butter Mixture
Melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter and stir in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
The Worcestershire adds a little extra savory flavor without overpowering the BBQ seasoning.
3. Coat the Corn Chex
Pour the Corn Chex into a large mixing bowl.
Slowly drizzle the melted butter mixture over the cereal while gently tossing. Don't dump it all in one spot. The goal is to get a light, even coating across as much of the cereal as possible.
4. Add the BBQ Seasoning
Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of seasoning over the cereal while continuing to toss.
Make sure you get down to the bottom of the bowl so you don't end up with all the seasoning on the top layer.
Want more flavor? Add another ½ to 1 tablespoon.
5. Bake
Spread the seasoned Corn Chex evenly onto a large sheet pan.
Bake at 250°F for 45–60 minutes, gently stirring every 15 minutes.
6. Cool
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the Chex Mix to cool completely.
This part matters. The mix will continue to crisp up as it cools.
Once cool, transfer it to a serving bowl or airtight container.
Want to Make Both Flavors?
This is our favorite way to do it.
Grab two boxes of Corn Chex and make one batch with Pop Smoke and another with Fire For Effect.
Put them in separate bowls and see which one disappears first.
You've essentially got:
Team Memphis: Sweet, savory and classic BBQ.
Team Sweet Heat: Sweet BBQ flavor followed by a little heat.
Around our place, that's a competition worth having.
Easy Add-In Ideas
Once you've tried the basic recipe, you can make it your own. Try adding:
- Pretzels
- Oyster crackers
- Cheese crackers
- Peanuts
- Cashews
- Bagel chips
- Corn chips
Just remember that adding more ingredients means you'll probably need to increase the butter and BBQ seasoning so everything gets properly coated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make BBQ Chex Mix ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, it's a great make-ahead snack. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container until you're ready to serve.
How do I keep homemade Chex Mix crispy?
The biggest thing is letting it cool completely before storing it. Sealing warm Chex Mix in a container can trap moisture and soften the cereal.
Can I add more BBQ seasoning?
Definitely. Three tablespoons gives you a good starting point, but there's nothing wrong with adding more. If you're serving this as a party snack, we like enough seasoning that you immediately know what flavor you're eating.
Can I make this on the smoker?
Yep. Set your smoker for approximately 250°F and follow the same basic directions.
Because the cereal absorbs smoke quickly, we'd recommend using a mild wood and checking the flavor as it cooks. You don't need a ton of smoke to make an impact.
Is this recipe gluten free?
Corn Chex is labeled gluten free, and Burn Pit BBQ seasonings are gluten free. However, standard Worcestershire sauce can vary by brand, so check the label of the Worcestershire sauce you're using if you're preparing this for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
A BBQ Rub Doesn't Have to Be Just for Meat
One of the easiest ways to get more use out of the seasonings sitting in your cabinet is to stop thinking of them as something that's only for ribs, chicken, pork, or brisket.
Popcorn, potatoes, vegetables, eggs, snack mixes - you've got plenty of options.
And this BBQ Chex Mix might be one of the easiest places to start.
Make a batch with Pop Smoke Memphis Style, another with Fire For Effect Sweet Heat, and let us know which one wins at your house.
Fire it up!