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Summer snacking is made better with our Summer BBQ Snack Mix. This is just like a Chex Mix but with the flavor of BBQ chips. It’s made with pretzels, cheese crackers (use Goldfish because they’re fun), and homemade BBQ ranch seasoning. This mix is oh-so good! Each bite is perfectly seasoned, buttery, crunchy, and spicy. It’s seriously better than the original and highly addicting. Making a double batch is highly recommended!
Okay, this is so fun and yummy! I had this idea over the weekend and thought it would be perfect to share ahead of Memorial Day weekend. I was out doing my morning hike/run and dreaming of summer days. In my head, I painted the picture of a pool day back in Ohio. My cousins and I would visit our local pool almost every day. And if we weren’t at the pool, we were in the lake.
Either way, days spent swimming require snacks. Back in Ohio, we’d have a summer BBQ what seemed like every single week, and we always ate dinner outside. Our BBQs were very low-key and filled with burgers and grilled chicken, plus sides of cheesy potatoes. Ohhhh, Mom’s cheesy potatoes, they were the best!
And we snacked on watermelon all night long.
We never had many appetizers, but we always had pretzels and chips out for snacking—simple summertime foods, you know?
That led me to this idea. My younger brother LOVES BBQ ranch chips, so that was my flavor of choice. For the snack mix, I used pretzels, Goldfish (mainly because it’s summer and Goldfish are fun), and Chex cereal (to fill the mix up a bit). Keep it simple, no nuts or anything too fancy.
It’s so delicious, and I’m really excited to share the recipe. This snack mix will be so fun for summer!
These are the details
Step 1: the seasonings
You’ll need melted butter.
Then the spice mix: onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dill, chipotle chili powder (or you can use cayenne pepper), the smallest pinch of brown sugar, then salt and pepper, of course.
Mix the spices with the butter.
Step 2: the snacks
Pretzels, Goldfish, and Chex mix
Step 3: mix everything together
Mix the spiced butter with the pretzels, Goldfish, and Chex.
Spread the mix out between two baking sheets, then bake away until toasted. This will smell so good while baking away in the oven.
Trust me, you will love this. It’s made with the best seasoning blend, plus cheese crackers, and minus all the other “stuff” that’s sometimes added to Chex mix (you know, the stuff you pick around). There’s no picking around here!
Make a double batch. This mix gets eaten fast.
Even my brothers agree that this mix is “pretty good”. The added bonus is how easy it is to throw together. Plus, I usually have all the ingredients stashed away in my pantry.
Perfect for last-minute snacking. Have fun with this one, guys, and enjoy!!
Looking for other fun summer appetizers? Here are a few ideas:
Roasted Garlic Tomato Burrata Caprese
Baked Sweet Potato Parmesan Tater Tots
Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries with Lemon Aioli
Everything Ranch Baked Cheese and Pretzel Snack Mix
Lastly, if you make this Summer BBQ Snack Mix, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Pool Day Spicy BBQ Snack Mix.
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 542 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons melted salted butter
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
- 3 cups salted mini pretzel twists
- 3 cups Goldfish crackers
- 2 cups Rice Chex Cereal
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 300° F. 2. In a large bowl, combine the butter, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dill, onion powder, chipotle/cayenne, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the pretzels, cheese crackers, and Chex, tossing well for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture is evenly coated. Spread the mix evenly over a rimmed baking sheet.3. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Toss 1-2 times throughout cooking. Serve, or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
can i use white sugar instead of brown sugar
Hi Nancy,
So sorry, I would not recommend that for this recipe. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
I made this today . Tastes amazing definitely will be my new snack to munch on . I did add a little bit more cayenne pepper because we love spice . Great flavor Thank you again for another amazing recipe!
Hey Amy,
Thanks so much for trying this mix, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best week! xT
I doubled the recipe and I’m hoping this freezes like some of the other Chex-type mixes. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Pat! I hope it’s a hit! xT
Delicious! Whole family loved this!
Hey Stephanie,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it out! Xx
I just made the snack mix. I like it as a change up from the traditional snack mix. I did use a whole stick of butter and reduced the amount of pepper. I would make it again for summer parties.
Hey Dawn,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Making this right now to take to a bbq this afternoon so I haven’t tasted it yet, but the smell of it baking is to die for!,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, Mary! I hope it’s delish! Have a great weekend:) xT
Hi! I think you mentioned brown sugar in your introduction and I believe I saw it mixed in with the spices in your video on IG. About how much do you recommend?
Hi Hilary,
You are going to use 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
I haven’t made this particular recipe, but you can make most Chex mix-type snacks in a smoker instead of an oven – they taste amazing.
Hey Greg,
Thanks for sharing this!! I don’t have a smoker, but that sounds amazing:) Happy Friday! xT
I see in the steps before you get to the actual recipe that you did a pinch of brown sugar. But there is no brown sugar in the recipe. Did you decide against using the brown sugar? Thank you!(:
Hi Kayleigh,
So sorry for any confusion! You are going to add 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar. Let me know if you give this recipe a try! Have a great weekend! xT
Hello,
I would love to make this but I am gluten free. Any suggestions on the goldfish crackers?
Thank you
Vickie S
Vickie, you could try using Simple Mills Gluten Free Almond Crackers, they are not cheesy but might work in a pinch. I get them at Costco in Canada. You could also try Simple Mills Poppmmms, they are cheese flavoured but I have not tried them yet.
Hey Vickie,
Sure, any gluten free cracker that you like will work…I know Simple Mills has cheddar squares that are gluten free, those would be great! Let me know if you have any other questions:) xT