Super Bowl Snack Mix Nuts

The first Super Bowl party I hosted, I spent hours making fancy appetizers while my guests kept migrating to the kitchen island where I'd dumped a bag of seasoned snack mix. By halftime, nobody touched the fancy stuff.

Last year my brother confessed he'd been picking through my snack mix for years, specifically hunting down all the rye chips while pretending to eat everything else. Now I double the rye chips just to watch him light up.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mini pretzels: These provide the salty crunch foundation and their twisted shape holds seasoning beautifully
• 1 cup roasted peanuts: Peanuts add that classic stadium snack flavor and their natural oils amplify the spices
• 1 cup roasted cashews: Cashews bring a buttery richness that balances the sharper seasonings
• 1 cup rye chips: The secret weapon that everyone fights over—they stay crunchy longest and soak up flavors
• 1 cup cheese crackers: These add a cheesy depth that makes the mix feel more complete
• 1 cup corn cereal squares: Light and airy, they prevent the mix from feeling too heavy
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted: Unsalted lets you control the exact sodium level while still getting rich coating power
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce: This umami bomb is what separates homemade from store-bought
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Distributes evenly unlike fresh garlic which can burn
• 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds savory depth without any raw onion bite
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Provides subtle smokiness that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional: Just enough warmth to keep you reaching for your drink
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt: Fine salt disperses evenly over all the nooks and crannies

Instructions

Preheat and prepare your baking station:

Set your oven to 250°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this low temperature slowly toasts everything without burning the seasoning.

Combine all the crunchy elements:

Grab your largest mixing bowl and toss in the pretzels, peanuts, cashews, rye chips, cheese crackers, and cereal squares.

Whisk up the magic seasoning:

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne if using, and salt until completely smooth.

Coat everything thoroughly:

Pour the seasoning over your snack mix and toss gently but thoroughly—every single piece should glisten slightly.

Spread and bake slowly:

Spread the mix in an even layer on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so nothing gets too dark.

Cool completely before serving:

Let it cool on the baking sheet—it'll crisp up as it cools and this is when the flavors really meld together.

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My neighbor started making this for every playoff weekend after trying it at our place, and now she texts me excitedly every time she pulls it from the oven like she discovered something new.

Make It Your Own

I've learned that the exact mix-ins don't matter as much as the seasoning ratio. Swap in whatever nuts or crunchy things your crowd loves.

Storage Secrets

This actually keeps for about a week in an airtight container, though it rarely lasts more than two days at my house. The texture stays surprisingly fresh.

Serving Strategy

Set out small bowls around the room instead of one giant bowl. It keeps people from congregating in one spot and somehow makes the snack mix disappear even faster.

• Make a double batch if your crowd has more than six people
• Have napkins readily available because the seasoning does stick to fingers
• Consider portioning into individual bags if you're sending guests home with leftovers

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There's something about having this mix warm from the oven that makes any game feel like a special occasion worth celebrating together.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What oven temperature is best for toasting the mix?

Maintain a low temperature around 250°F (120°C) to evenly toast without burning the ingredients.

→ Can I substitute the nuts or crackers?

Yes, feel free to swap nuts or crackers based on preference or allergies to customize flavors and textures.

→ How should I store the mix after baking?

Once cooled completely, store in an airtight container to keep the mix fresh and crunchy for several days.

→ What adds the smoky flavor to this mix?

Smoked paprika adds a rich, smoky depth complementing the garlic and onion powders in the seasoning.

→ Is there a way to make this mix spicier?

Increase the cayenne pepper or add chili flakes to the seasoning before baking for extra heat.