Since March, G and I have been getting creative about how to stay entertained in quarantine, whether it’s making our way through a list of LA’s best sandwiches, the Jelly Belly challenge, or our Sunday Sundae ritual. Our latest idea? A Chex Mix-off.
After finishing an entire bag of Chex Mix in a single day, I realized how simple it would be to put my own spin on such a classic snack. As I was brainstorming ideas with G, we realized that we had come to completely different conclusions about how to improve upon an already nearly-perfect combination, so we decided to turn it into a competition. I picked my three favorite elements of the original (Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and pretzels) and built from there. Originally, I’d planned to include Parmesan Goldfish but…I managed to polish it off before the final taste test (though I’d highly recommend you include it in yours if you have willpower). G’s still tinkering with his recipe, but I’m pretty pleased with how my ’90s-inspired take turned out.
Once I finalized my mix, I sealed it into an airtight container that I now look forward to accessing in the evenings. While G prepares cocktails, I scoop a serving into a bowl, and it almost feels like we’re out having drinks, not hanging at home. It’s as simple as it gets, but there’s something about having an easy bar snack that makes winding down before dinner feel that much more special.
You can of course customize your own, but here’s where I finally landed:
THE BASE
Rice Chex
Corn Chex
Pretzel sticks
THE ADDITIONS
Bugles
Pirate’s Booty
Cheez-Its
Cool Ranch Doritos
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
A few other other ideas to get you started:
If you need even more nostalgia...start with the base, and throw in some Goldfish, Ritz Bits (flavor of your choice), Sunchips, and Corn Nuts.
If you want to kick up the spice…start with the base, then double the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, add Flamin’ Hot Doritos, and Flamin’ Hot Fritos.
If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side…start with the base, then add Teddy Grahams (I’m partial to Honey), Cinnamon Toast Crunch, popcorn, and Honey Roasted Almonds.
