Smoky and Spicy Party Mix

I make this as yearly tradition at holiday time in my home. I also make a batch of this to send to my brother for his care package that I send him when he is deployed. I will warn you, it is very spicy and you'll want more and more!

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 355 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• 4 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 (14 ounce) package bite-size corn square cereal (such as Corn Chex®)
• 1 (14 ounce) package crispy rice cereal squares (such as Rice Chex ®)
• 1 (14 ounce) package bite-size wheat square cereal (such as Wheat Chex®)
• 1 (8.9 ounce) box toasted oat cereal rings (such as Cheerios®)
• 3 cups salted mixed nuts
• 1 (15 ounce) package mini pretzel twists
• 2 (6 ounce) packages goldfish crackers
• 1 (12 ounce) package sesame snack sticks (Optional)
• 1 cup warm (liquid) bacon drippings
• 4 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).

Step 2

Gently mix corn, rice, and wheat squares, oat rings, mixed nuts, mini pretzels, goldfish crackers, and sesame snacks in two 13x24-inch aluminum roasting pans, taking care not to break cereal.

Step 3

Stir bacon drippings, unsalted butter, Worcestershire sauce, MSG, liquid smoke, cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and hot pepper sauce together in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high in microwave for 3 or 4 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until mixture is warm, liquid, and fully combined.

Step 4

Stir seasoning sauce continuously as you pour half over the cereal mixture in each pan. Gently stir the snack mix and seasonings with a slotted spoon until thoroughly coated; do not crush cereal.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until sauce is completely absorbed and the snack mix is crisp, about 2 hours; stir gently every 15 minutes. Cool completely and store in airtight containers. The snack mix stores well in freezer in airtight freezer bags, if it makes it that long.