Super Bowl Snack Mix Nuts

My brother-in-law showed up with a gallon Ziploc of this stuff three years ago and I literally hid it in the laundry room so I could eat it all myself. The house smelled like Worcestershire and toasted nuts for days afterward, which is now my official signal that football season has arrived.

Last year I made a double batch for our Super Bowl party and caught my dad standing at the counter, just eating it straight from the cooling pan with his hands. He claimed he was quality control testing, but I saw him sneak another handful when he thought no one was watching.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mini pretzels: The salt and crunch skeleton that holds everything together
• 1 cup roasted peanuts: Classic nutty flavor that stands up to the bold seasoning
• 1 cup roasted cashews: Buttery and creamy, they balance the harder crunch of pretzels
• 1 cup wheat cereal squares: These little sponges soak up seasoning like absolute champions
• 1 cup cheese crackers: Sneaky savory goodness that melts into everything
• 1 cup corn chips: Bring that extra corn flavor and sturdy crunch
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: The golden glue that makes the seasoning actually stick
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce: The umami bomb that gives this mix its signature depth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Savory backbone that builds on every other flavor
• 1 teaspoon onion powder: Sweet and earthy, rounding out the spice blend
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds that smoky layer that makes people ask whats in this
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper: Just enough warmth to keep you reaching for more
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt: Pulls everything together and amplifies all the flavors

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment because the melted sugar from cheese crackers will make you regret skipping this step.

Pile everything in one giant bowl:

Dump in pretzels, peanuts, cashews, cereal, cheese crackers, and corn chips all at once.

Whisk up the magic sauce:

Mix melted butter with Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt until completely combined.

Coat everything like your life depends on it:

Drizzle the seasoning over the mix while tossing constantly, making sure every single piece gets some love.

Spread it out flat:

Level the mixture into one even layer on your prepared baking sheet so everything toasts at the same rate.

Bake low and slow:

Cook for 35 minutes total, stirring and rotating the pan every 10 minutes so nothing burns and the coating dries into this incredible seasoned crust.

Patience is everything:

Let it cool completely on the pan because this is when that coating transforms into the addictive crunch we are here for.

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My friend Sarah texted me at midnight after she first tried this mix demanding the recipe because her husband had eaten half the batch straight from the container. Now she makes triple batches just to get through a weekend.

Making It Your Own

I have tried swapping in almonds, pecans, and even pumpkin seeds depending on what my pantry looks like. The cool thing is that the seasoning works with basically anything crunchy and salty, so go with whatever nuts or seeds you actually like eating.

The Spice Factor

Some friends can not handle even a whisper of heat, so I sometimes skip the cayenne entirely. Other times I double it and add a dash of hot sauce because life is short and snack food should make you feel alive. Trust your crowd.

Storage and Serving

This stuff keeps in an airtight container for about a week, assuming you can actually make it that long without demolishing the whole batch. I pack it in mason jars for gifts because it looks impressive and feels extra special.

• Serve it in a wide shallow bowl so people can actually get a good handful
• Pair with something cold because the spice builds up
• Make way more than you think you need because it vanishes

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Every time I walk past the bowl during a party, my hand somehow just ends up in there without me even deciding to do it. That is the highest compliment I can give any recipe.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I substitute the nuts used in this mix?

Yes, you can swap peanuts or cashews with almonds, pecans, or other mixed nuts for variety and preference.

→ How can I make this mix spicier?

Increase the cayenne pepper amount or add a splash of hot sauce to the seasoning mixture before baking.

→ What is the best way to store this crunchy mix?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh and crunchy for several days.

→ Can this snack mix accommodate vegetarian diets?

Yes, this mix is vegetarian-friendly, though it contains dairy and nuts, so check allergen sensitivities accordingly.

→ What beverages pair well with this snack mix?

The mix pairs nicely with cold beer, sparkling water, or other refreshing drinks to balance its bold flavors.