The Best Snack Mix Ever Invented

By Andrew Zimmern

It’s hard to improve on something like homemade Chex mix, but everything’s better with bacon candy—you can’t argue with that. I’ve added spiced nuts and lots of candied bacon to Chex and bagel chips, creating a symphonic blend of crunchy, salty, sweet and savory. This recipe makes a big batch of party mix—don’t cut it in half. It tends to go VERY FAST.

Watch Andrew make this recipe:

Candied Bacon Party Mix

Servings: makes 10 cups

Ingredients

Chex Mix

3 cups corn Chex
3 cups rice Chex
2 cups bagel chips, broken into bite-size pieces
1 stick salted butter, melted
2 teaspoons smoked salt
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Candied Bacon

1 pound of sliced bacon
1/2 cup brown sugar

Spiced Nuts

2 cups mixed nuts (sliced almonds, pecans, macadamia, cashews, etc)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Combine the Chex and bagel chips in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, smoked salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne. Slowly pour over the Chex mixture, tossing as you go to combine well. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 250 degrees F.

While the Chex and bagel chips are toasting, make the candied bacon and spiced nuts. Cut the bacon slices into 1/2 inch slices. Slowly brown in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. When beginning to crisp and rendered but not browned yet, tip off the fat. Put the pan back on heat and add the brown sugar. Toss until caramelized and the sugar is no longer sandy in texture. Spill out onto a baking sheet or plate and allow to cool.

Melt the butter with the rum in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the toasted nuts to the pan and cook over medium heat until the liquid is gone and the nuts are glassy.

Mix the curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, chile powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Dump the nuts into the spice bowl, and toss vigorously to evenly coat. Spread onto a cookie sheet to cool.

Combine the Chex mix, nuts and candied bacon together in a giant bowl. Enjoy.