old bay summer snack mix
SUMMER SNACK CRACK!
I’ve made a few Chex mixes before, and I tell you what folks, each variety is utterly addicting. Everything I love in one big dish: crunchy, salty, buttery, cheesy, Old Bay-y. This beauteous baking sheet is the shit of my dreams. Put a bowl in front of me and I’ll singlehandedly inhale the whole damn shebang.
Old Bay Summer Snack Mix is the appetizer to serve at your summer pool parties, picnics, or celebrations otherwise. So easy to put together and even easier to mindlessly munch while sipping on a cold glass of watermelon lemonade and waiting for the jackfruit sliders to finish simmering.
Honestly, just make a double batch straightaway. You’re definitely going to want extra to squirrel for your lunch boxes or to quell the afternoon nibbles.
What About the New Bay?
As with a New Fashioned (as opposed to an Old Fashioned) I kinda don’t think there needs to be an upgrade with Old Bay. It’s the perfect seasoning: basically an amalgamation of every savory flavor you’ll ever need.
Bay fries? Come on. That’s my weakness right there.
Anywho. Start with a whole stick of butter. Melt it in the microwave (about a minute or so) and stir in lots of Old Bay seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. I like a touch of black pepper, too.
Next, toss your snack mix stars into a humongo bowl. I use my Dutch oven because I don’t have a bowl ready enough for the job. We’re using mini pretzel twists, Chex (I like corn Chex but any type is good), Goldfish (chedda is betta but you can play around with different varieties), and Cheez Its. Pour over the butter and mix very very well with a wooden spoon or your clean – and perhaps gloved – hands.
Take two or three minutes to really coat everything in the butter.
Line two big baking sheets with parchment paper and divide your snack mix among them. Spread the mix into a single layer on each, taking care not to have much overlap. Some is inevitable, probably, but you want to avoid stacking as much as possible.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, tossing and stirring once halfway through. The snack mix is ready when it’s lightly golden and crisp to the touch. Obviously be careful sticking your hand into a hot oven.
Cool the snack mix on the baking sheets until back at a comfy room temp. Everything will continue to crisp as it simmers down.
Here, you can either toss the mix onto a pretty serving platter or bowl, or seal well and store on the counter. So long as it is shielded well against humidity, this mix stays crisp and delightful for two weeks, or longer if you’re real lucky!
I promise, this will be gone in a flash, so make extra and be sure to enjoy some for yourself.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Bayside bites:
Hot Baked Cheddar Bay Shrimp Dip
old bay summer snack mix
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3 cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups Chex (any kind)
- 1 1/2 cups Goldfish crackers
- 1 1/2 cups Cheez Its
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment
- Whisk together the melted butter, Old Bay, parsley, garlic, and onion powders, as well as a pinch of black pepper.
- In a very large bowl, measure in the pretzels, Chex, Goldfish, and Cheez Its. Pour in the spiced butter and mix for 2-3 minutes with a large wooden spoon or you CLEAN hands, until very well combined.
- Divide the snack mix onto the prepared baking sheets, spreading the components in an even layer. Bake 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until lightly golden in spots and crisp. Let cool on the baking sheets – the mix will continue to crisp up.
- When fully cool, pour into a large serving platter and dig in!
