This Cajun party mix is a crunchy, flavor-packed snack that’s perfect for parties, game days, or anytime you’re craving something with a little kick. It’s made with a mix of cereals, pretzels, nuts, and crackers, all tossed in a Cajun seasoning blend with just a touch of sweetness. Crispy, slightly spicy, and totally addictive.
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What’s great about this recipe
- Quick to make – Comes together fast with just a few pantry staples and a simple seasoning mix.
- Make-ahead friendly – Stays fresh in an airtight container, so you can prep it ahead for parties, game days, or road trips.
- Crowd-pleaser – Snack mix is always a hit, and this Cajun version adds a bold, flavorful kick.
- Light but satisfying – Crunchy and tasty, it’s perfect for afternoon snacking without being too heavy.
Ingredients
🌾 Cereal – We like using rice cereal (such as Rice Chex) and wheat cereal (such as Wheat Chex). The rice adds a light, crisp bite, while the wheat gives a hearty crunch and darker color for contrast.
🥨 Mini pretzels – Mini pretzels work best here, but pretzel sticks can be used instead if that’s what you have.
🥜 Roasted peanuts – These add crunch and flavor. You can also use mixed nuts, but keep in mind they’ll add more variety in taste and texture.
⬜ Mini saltine crackers – They add crunch and a salty bite. Oyster crackers can also be used if you can’t find mini saltines.
🫙 Neutral oil – Canola or vegetable oil works best to help the seasoning stick and give the mix a nice sheen.
🧂 Seasoning blend – Cajun seasoning brings the flavor and a little kick. If the blend you’re using is unsalted, add a pinch of kosher salt — just keep in mind the other ingredients already bring plenty of salt. A touch of sugar balances the spice (we used raw sugar, but white sugar works too; brown sugar can be used for a slightly deeper sweetness if you’d like). Garlic powder and smoked paprika round out the flavor and give the mix its irresistible finish.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to make Cajun party mix
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the rice cereal, wheat cereal, mini pretzels, peanuts, and mini saltine crackers. Toss gently with a silicone spatula.
Drizzle the oil over the mix and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, sugar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss again until the mix looks shiny and evenly seasoned.
Spread onto the prepared pans in an even layer. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes and rotating the pans halfway through.
Cool completely on the pans. The mix will crisp further as it cools. Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions and variations
- Swap in Bugles for some of the pretzels or cereal — their shape holds the Cajun seasoning well and they’re mighty tasty.
- Use cheese crackers instead of mini saltines for a cheesy twist.
- Try corn nuts for extra crunch and a bold flavor.
- If you’d like more heat, sprinkle in a little cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Make it nut-free by leaving out the peanuts and adding extra pretzels or crackers. Just be sure that all the ingredients you’re using are nut-free.
Recipe tips and notes
If you don’t have a very large mixing bowl, use a large soup pot instead. It gives you plenty of room for tossing without spilling.
Use a silicone spatula to combine the mix and keep the cereal and crackers from breaking.
When making substitutions, replace ingredients one-for-one rather than adding more. This keeps the ratio of coating to mix balanced so everything gets evenly seasoned.
Storing instructions
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. This keeps the mix fresh and crisp without the nuts or crackers losing texture.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
- For more information on food storage and safety guidelines visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.
This Cajun Party Mix is perfect for game day, cocktail parties, and casual gatherings. If you’re looking for more snack inspiration, try our caramel popcorn, creamy fresh dill dip, or crowd-pleasing pigs in a blanket. These fun and easy recipes are just right for sharing!
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📖 Recipe
Cajun Party Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice Cereal such as Rice Chex
- 1 cup Wheat Cereal such as Wheat Chex
- 2 cups Mini Pretzels
- 1 cup Roasted Peanuts or mixed nuts
- 1 cup Mini Saltine Crackers or oyster crackers if you can’t find mini saltines
- ¼ cup Neutral Oil canola or vegetable oil
- 1½ tablespoons Cajun Seasoning add a pinch of kosher salt only if your blend is sodium-free or very low-sodium
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F.
- Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl (big enough to hold the ingredients and allow tossing without spilling), add the rice cereal, wheat cereal, mini pretzels, peanuts, and mini saltine crackers. Toss gently—using a silicone/rubber spatula to avoid breaking the pieces.
- Slowly pour the oil over the cereal mixture while gently tossing until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning, sugar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika over the mix, tossing gently until everything looks lightly shiny and evenly seasoned.
- Divide the mix between the prepared sheet pans and spread into an even layer. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes and rotating the pans (top to bottom, bottom to top).
- Cool completely on the pans—the mix will crisp up further as it cools. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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