Chaat-Spiced Chex Mix

The funky, salty, spicy, and tart flavors of chaat masala spice mix transforms anything it's sprinkled on.

By
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Updated April 26, 2023
20170921-chaat-vicky-wasik-70.jpg
Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • The chaat masala is a spice blend that adds funky, salty, spicy, and sour flavors to the Chex mix.
  • Adding the chaat masala to the cereal after it has toasted, while it's sticky and warm, keeps the spices from burning.
  • Mix and match cereals, nuts, and crackers to accommodate your tastes.

A favorite gas station snack of mine has always been Chex mix. The erratic combination of cereals and seasonings reminds me of bhel puri chaat, which is what inspired me to make a chaat-spiced version of the classic. I made the mix to my taste, with extra corn and rice Chex, few wheat Chex and pretzels (because who needs 'em?), and an absurd amount of chaat seasoning. I admit, it's probably more seasoning than necessary, but, as someone who's known for digging through a bag of Doritos for that one extra-cheesy chip, I don't see the point of snack foods if they don't leave your blood pressure elevated.

Toasted chex mix being poured from a sheet pan into a metal bowl.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Chaat masala, the spice mixture used throughout South Asia for the popular street foods known as chaat, combines funky, salty, spicy, and tart flavors, transforming anything it's sprinkled on. Feel free to mix and match your favorite cereals and snacks, using the recipe below as a template. Toasting the cereals low and slow with the butter and sugar mixture gets them extra crisp and sticky, ready for you to shower on the spices.

A close-up shot of the spice-tossed chex mix.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

November 2017

Recipe Details

Chaat-Spiced Chex Mix Recipe

Active 15 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 12 to 16 servings
Makes 3 quarts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (120g) corn Chex (see note)

  • 3 cups (90g) rice Chex (see note)

  • 1 cup (30g) wheat Chex (see note)

  • 2/3 cup (96g) peanuts

  • 1 cup (40g) pretzel sticks

  • 2 cups (90g) bagel chips

  • 2 cups (60g) small rice crackers

  • 2/3 cup (155g) unsalted butter

  • 2/3 cup (135g) light brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh juice from about 2 limes

  • 1 tablespoon (15g) kosher salt

  • 6 tablespoons (70g) chaat masala spice mixture

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine Chex cereals, peanuts, pretzels, bagel chips, and rice crackers.

    The chex mix components side-by-side in a metal mixing bowl.

    Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

  2. In a small saucepan or in the microwave, melt butter with brown sugar, then remove from heat and stir in lime juice and salt.

  3. Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture and toss to coat evenly.

    Butter mixture being poured into the bowl of chex mix ingredients.

    Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

  4. Spread mixture in an even layer on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing every 15 minutes, until dry and crisp, about 45 minutes.

    The butter-tossed chex mix spread evenly on a sheet pan lined with foil.

    Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

  5. Sprinkle chaat masala over Chex mix while still warm, tossing to evenly coat. Let cool and eat, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Chaat masala being tossed over the bowl of chex mix.

    Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Special Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet, mixing bowl

Notes

Feel free to use any kind or combination of Chex cereals, as long as the total amount is maintained.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
222Calories
13gFat
26gCarbs
4gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 16
Amount per serving
Calories222
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g16%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 21mg7%
Sodium 442mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
Dietary Fiber 2g9%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 2mg12%
Calcium 47mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 166mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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