Chex Mix is one of those party snack classics that everyone likes. While there is certainly no shortage of variations (and you can even buy countless flavors, premade, in a bag), there’s something satisfying about a homemade twist. In December of 2020 a friend made me a holiday care package with an assortment of traditional Asian desserts as well as an Asian-themed Chex Mix. The mix had that classic blend of salty and sweet, but a ton of umami from seaweed. I don’t remember exactly what was in it, but this version I threw together recently for a party was definitely reminiscent of the notes I was looking for and was a huge hit.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 of an onion, peeled but left whole
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
- 6 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup dried, wasabi coated peas
- 1 cup sesame sticks
- 2 cups whole cashews
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon furikake
Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, add butter, peeled onion, and garlic. Turn heat to medium, let butter melt, and simmer for 3 minutes. Turn heat off and allow flavors to meld for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile, toss together the Chex, sesame sticks, wasabi peas, sesame sticks, and cashews together in a large bowl.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Once the butter mixture has rested, pull out the onion and garlic (discard), and reheat the butter so it is fully melted. Add the granulated sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and 5 spice powder to the melted butter. Stir. Evenly pour butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Next, sprinkle with brown sugar, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and the furikake. Mix together until everything is evenly coated. Taste for seasoning (this will be dependent on how salty your other ingredients are, which can vary).
Pour evenly in the prepared sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, tossing approximately every 20 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.
Notes:
- 5 spice powder, furikake, wasabi peas, and sesame sticks may be found in many groceries or specialty markets.
- This mixture may be made a week or two in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
