This Asian Style homemade Chex Mix has a peanut butter, sriracha glaze that coats peanuts, wasabi peas and sugar pops. You will love this kicked up version!
There is something you need to know about me. I am not a Chex Mix kind of girl.
I'm not a pretzel girl, a Frito's girl, a Cheeto's girl or a Dorito's girl; though I admit to having had an affair with honey mustard pretzels, ever so briefly.
I'm a potato chip girl and most any flavor is acceptable. So when Chex Mix contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate in a blogging event for Chex Mix I immediately said yes.
OK. There was compensation involved and free samples but really this was all in the name of blogging. You know - research for the blog, on behalf of all my blog readers that might eat Chex Mix.
Growing up, my home was Chex free. I remember when I met Manservant, though. He took me down to Tayxas and introduced me to his folks.
And there-There!-I met my first batch of Chex Mix. Yes, it was clearly labeled in black felt tip pen on a piece of masking tape, "Trash" which was taped, I believe to a Swedish butter cookie tin.
I liked it, but I would have never thought to have made it. I picked out the round melba toast thingies and liked those the best.
And each year my mother in law dutifully sent me tins of trash which my Manservant ate. But me, not so much. And then I discovered something similar to the Chex mix recipe at Costco which I bought for awhile.
I liked the little melba thingies in that mix, too!
But back to my foray with Chex Mix. The Chex Mix team travels to various cities each holiday to promote Chex mix.
The mixtures they featured this year were pumpkin spice, sugar cookie and Mexican chocolate. The idea was to throw a party around Chex Mix and have everyone make their own gifts for giving.
They provided really fun containers and all the flavored Chex mix we could want. It was fun and if I still had young kids they would have loved this for a holiday party.
It is easy to make and all the Chex cereals except the wheat are gluten free. Yes, my daughter would have had fun with this! There are a zillion recipes out there and they all sound great.
So I decided (since I have now entered the Chex world) that I would come up with something more to my liking.
You know how much I love Vietnamese food so my thought was to take those flavors and turn them into a crunchy snack. One that would rival the potato chip.
Now please don't think I snack on potato chips. I don't. But a sandwich just isn't a sandwich without a few chips on the side.
And when I make my famous onion dip or artichoke dip, well, those need potato chips, too. But thinking that homemade Chex mix could be a bit healthier than your average potato chip, I decided to experiment.
Success was easily found and pleased even the non Chex eaters who tasted it.
It is a great snack and I must say that I can't wait to try a new concoction, though I'm mighty pleased with this one.
It suited Manservant and myself well into happy hour, and if I hadn't put it away, all of it might easily have disappeared into our tummies.
If you like garlic and peanuts and salt with a touch of sweetness, then this Asian Style Saigon Crunch Chex Mix is for you.
A bit of coconut and fried shallots and missing shrimp chips put this over the top. (I admit it. I bought shrimp chips to put in this and then forgot to use them. I'll put them in the next batch.)
And yes, there will be a next batch. This stuff was good!
What is your favorite kind of Chex mix? And does anyone have a better name for thislittle bit spicy Chex mix?
Recipe
Saigon Crunch Chex Mix
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 12 Cups
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: Asian/American
Description
This Asian style Chex mix is so good and perfect for snacking!
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
You need about 12 cups of your favorite cereal/snack mixture.
Barb | Creative Culinary says
I'm the lucky one who actually got to try this and I'm in love. This makes the 'regular' Chex mix seem way too vanilla now; the spices and shapes and even the color makes this my new favorite. Thanks for sending some home with me too. I've hidden it; it is ALL mine! 🙂
Yi @ Yi Reservation says
I love chex mix and I normally buy the premixed kind because I just never thought of flavoring my own. The saigon crunch is such a wonderful idea! I am so inspired to flavor my own chex mix now! Thanks for sharing Abbe!
Liz Berg says
I love salty snacks, too! I try not to eat chips as once I start, I eat WAY too many. I love the classic Chex Mix, but your Asian version may become my new favorite!
Biz says
Not a Chex mix girl??!! Or a Cheetos girl?? Okay, I'll still be friends with you, but that's a hard pill to swallow.
My husband grew up on his friends Mom's Chex Mix - commonly known in the midwest as Nuts and Bolts - it has Cheerios for the bolts.
My Aunt makes the best Chex mix every year and we anxiously wait for it. She does hers in the microwave too, but it has that "baked" taste if you know what I mean.
I LOVE YOUR VERSION! Making it for my brother next week.
Laura Dembowski says
I love Chex Mix, chips, fritos, cheetos, tortilla chips . . . all of it! This mix sounds great, but puppy chow is my fave. I could eat myself sick on it.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I've seen puppy chow recipes, but have never had it. Sounds like maybe I shouldn't!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I really like Chex mix but I haven't had any since moving to Australia. We don't have all the bits. I can taste the Worcestershire sauce and butter in it now!
Your updated variety sounds SO good!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Maureen! I have to say it made me a fan!
vanillasugarblog says
Ohhh this sounds so good!
I LOVE kicked up creations like this!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Dawn. Next time I might even kick it up a bit more!
Bam's Kitchen says
My family is a huge fan of chez mix! However it is sometimes hard to find here in HK. I love the addition of wasabi peas and coconut. Fun mix. Take care, BAM
Abbe Odenwalder says
I think all the great Asian snacks would be fun to throw together, Bam! Thanks for commenting!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
There's a mix at Whole Foods that has a hot oriental flare in the flavor. I've been wanting to recreate it and this gives me inspiration! Your mix sounds delicious Abbe.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I'll have to look for that Lea Ann, just to see what they put in it! I've thought of a lot of different ways to redo this, but this was pretty, pretty good! Thanks!
Angie Schneider says
They are so crunchy...a great snack to munch on...
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Angie. It was a great snack!
fromthebartolinikitchens.com says
Though I don't often have snack foods in the house -- I live alone and if I buy it, I'm the one to eat it -- I will stick up if entertaining. Chex Mix is a party favorite but, like Mr Riffs, I tend to make my own so that I can control the ingredients. I do like the sound of your Saigon Mix, Abbe, and will give it a try. I bet I'm not the only one that will like it. 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Isn't it funny that I've never made it. But I never made those rice crispy treat either! Now I guess I made it to the other side!
Nazneen Hamilton says
I too am a potato chip girl. I'm not really a snacker so I don't get into all the snacks you mentioned but I do like chips. I also like the Melba thingies from he Chex mix and usually eat them.
I do like Chex Mix, but don't really make my own. This looks wonderful though because I too like Vietnamese/Thai flavours. I could very easily finish the whole bowl.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Nazneen, isn't that funny? Yes, it was very easy to just keep munching!
Zoe says
Love the story how you discover your fav kind of Chex Mix... Trashy but delicious! LOL! I like that :p
We can't find Chex in any form in Australia... Hope that they will migrate to here soon knowing that they are better snacks.
Zoe
Abbe Odenwalder says
Zoe, it is even better to make your own. Just hit the cereal aisle and load up on everything! Make your own mix! Thanks, Zoe!
Kitchen Riffs says
We love Chex Mix! And eat it all the time. Not the premixed, store bought kind, though - that's kinda wimpy, and usually tastes not quite fresh (not stale either; but not fresh). I make small batches frequently - a couple of times a month at least. I usually use the oven method, although I should really give the microwave method a try - it does sound easier. Anyway, we spice it according to our mood. Almost never include sweet things in it, but all sorts of spices. Your concoction looks good - loads of flavor. Really nice - thanks.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I know that you have a fun recipe on your site! Microwave was easy as long as you have the right bowl. This was good, so I may now be a convert! Next time I go to the Asian market, I'm going to look to see what else i can throw in!