Taco Snack Mix is a spicy chex mix that’ll take your snacking game to new heights! Perfect for a party, movie night or munching on throughout the day, this chex mix is inspired by taco flavors.
I love a good snack mix. This Taco Snack Mix isn’t just good. . . it’s AMAZING.
Don’t you ever get sick of buying chips and crackers? I must spend a fortune on cheese crackers, tortilla chips and all the other packaged snacks my family seems to go through like water.
Spicy Chex Mix
Making homemade snack mix is a great way to cut costs. You can buy the expensive cheese crackers and mix them with pretzels, oyster crackers and inexpensive chex cereal. It stretches the good stuff further and also makes a fun change from your typical snack time go-tos.
And this recipe is even more affordable when you use generic or store brand crackers and cereal in place of the brand name!
Taco Chex Mix
Remember back when everyone made homemade chex mix? Now, they sell it ready made at the grocery store, but you used to have to get all the ingredients, season them and bake them in the oven at home.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the convenience of ready made snack foods (see above comment about how much we seem to spend on them) but you can beat the fresh taste of homemade.
This recipe is even better than a traditional chex mix, in my opinion.
Why? Because it has TACO SEASONING! You can make your own taco seasoning or use store bought for this recipe. It instantly transforms plain chex mix into a spicy salty snack that’ll make your taste buds dance with happiness.
How to make Taco Snack Mix
The other reason I like this more than original homemade chex mix? You don’t have to turn on the oven.
For real.
Here’s what I put in my snack mix:
- Chex cereal
- Oyster crackers
- Cheese crackers
- Canola oil
- Mini pretzel twists
- Taco seasoning
Just dump all the ingredients in a paper bag, shake it to distribute the pil and seasoning and let it sit for a few hours. This allows the canola oil to drain down to the bottom of the bag.
The paper bag will get greasy so I highly recommend putting it a sheet of foil or wax paper to avoid an oily counter top.
Serve this mix right away or transfer to an airtight container.
Substitution Ideas
This combination of crackers and pretzels makes a tasty combination but there’s no reason you couldn’t mix it up!
Peanuts or pecans would be a delicious addition to this if you like some nuttiness in your spicy chex mix. Instead of pretzel twists, try using mini pretzel sticks or pretzel nuggets!
Want even more spice in your Taco Chex Mix? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the bag along with the taco seasoning. On the flip side, if it’s a little too much heat for your taste, reduce the amount of taco seasoning to your liking.
What chex cereal to use
Both rice chex and corn chex taste great in Taco Snack Mix! Wheat chex would work as well. You could also mix two different kinds to add some variety of flavor to your snack mix.
Because rice and corn chex cereals are naturally gluten free, it’s easy to adapt this to make it safe for your friends who can’t eat gluten. There are so many delicious gluten free pretzels available these days and you can also find gluten free crackers at most grocery stores.
If you are making the gluten free adaption, just make sure your taco seasoning is also gluten free (or make your own!). Some have additives or preservatives that contain gluten.
How to store and serve
Keep Taco Snack Mix in an airtight container at room temperature. Most of the time, we just eat this straight out of the container!
Pour it into bowls to serve at a party! This is a great snack for all kinds of gatherings from casual drinks with friends to a holiday celebration. No one will bug you about when dinner is going to be ready when they have homemade spicy chex mix to snack on.
Save money on packaged snacks when you make this easy homemade spicy Taco Snack Mix!
Taco Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cup chex cereal
- 4 cup oyster crackers
- 4 cup cheese crackers
- 4 cup pretzels twists (mini)
- 2/3 cup canola oil
- 3/4 cup taco seasoning mix
Instructions
- In large paper bag, double lined, dump all ingredients. Fold top of bags down and shake about 20 times until everything is mixed and coated. Let sit until oil has been absorbed (bottom of bag will be greasy, so be sure to put it on a piece of wax paper or foil).
- Pour into airtight container. Enjoy!
How much does this make?
How long does this snack mix stay fresh in an airtight container? I am hoping to send containers of this to several university students I know. Your snack mix looks absolutely delicious and I love the taco flavor idea! 🙂
I’m such a sucker for a good and flavorful snack mix, but you are right, I do get tired of the same thing all the time! Love the taco seasoning idea! Thanks! 🙂
3/4 cup taco seasoning? Sounds like way too much. I could maybe see 3-4 Tbsp.
This does look yummy, but I think I would prefer it baked because it toasts the crackers and cereal and the flavor bakes in.
Yum! I so have to try this!
This is great, thanks much
Yum!! You don’t need to bake it?
Nope, no baking. Just stick it in a paper bag to dry out. Mmmmm….
Great snack idea! Perfect for road trips or vacation treats! I’d love to invite you to join us and share Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! I know my readers will love your ideas too!
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/saturday-show-tell-14-1st-week-of-summer/
Have a great weekend!
Mackenzie 🙂
Sounds yummy. I never would’ve thought to try something like that.
What a cool idea! Easy AND delicious. Can’t beat that! Thanks for the recipe!!
These mixes are great – perfect for summer road trips! I did taco pretzels recently and everyone loved them!
Yum! I want this NOW!
My kids would go crazy for this! When they have friends over, I’m always looking for inexpensive snacks to feed a crowd.
I love taco seasoning and I love cheese its, I could eat the entire bowl! This is a fun mix!
I love to make my own snack and trail mixes!!! For the price of buying and making your own, you get so much more!!! I know my kids would eat this up in a heartbeat!!!
Must be snack mix day! I just posted one too…but mine is sweet. I have never bought taco seasoning, it’s so easy to make! This looks like a great snack to keep on hand. I bet the kids wolf it down!
Ooh, yum. I saw this at Alli-n-son and now I really want it!