Description
A sweet and spicy hot buttered Cheerios snack mix that’s perfectly coated with a buttery, Worcestershire sauce glaze and lightly caramelized sugar, offering a crunchy and flavorful treat ideal for snacking or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt (Lowry’s or Penzey’s recommended)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Cereal
- 3 cups Cheerios
- 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 200°F and position the oven rack in the center to prepare for drying the snack mix later.
- Melt Butter: In a large skillet, melt 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat, ensuring an even melt to start the coating process.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt, mixing well to combine flavors into the butter.
- Add Cereals: Reduce heat to medium-low, then add 3 cups Cheerios and 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios to the skillet. Stir to coat the cereals evenly.
- Cook and Brown: Continue stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes until the cereals are fully coated and begin to brown, with the butter and Worcestershire sauce absorbed and cooked down.
- Add Sugar: Sprinkle 2 teaspoons granulated sugar over the coated cereal and stir well to incorporate the sugar evenly.
- Caramelize Sugar: Keep cooking and stirring for another 1 to 2 minutes, being careful not to burn the cereal, until the sugar has dissolved and caramelized on the mixture.
- Bake to Dry: Spread the hot buttered Cheerios in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the preheated 200°F oven for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to ensure even drying and crisping.
- Cool the Snack Mix: Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of aluminum foil and let it cool to the touch. This cooling will help the snack mix harden and become crunchy.
- Store: Keep any leftover snack mix in an airtight container or zipper bag to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Use a large skillet to prevent overcrowding and ensure even coating.
- Stir continuously during cooking to avoid burning the cereals.
- The low oven temperature dries out the snack without cooking it further, preserving crunch.
- The Worcestershire sauce adds a subtle umami and spicy note complementing the sweetness.
- Store the mix airtight to keep it crunchy for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sweet and Spicy Cheerios Snack Mix, Hot Buttered Cheerios, Spicy Snack Mix, Cheerios Snack, Party Snack
