lazy gluten free chex mix

With the holiday season upon us, I have been craving Chex Mix.  There are lots of varieties now, but I wanted the kind I was used to growing up, the original.  I couldn't find a plain old gluten free recipe, although the Chex website has a number of recipes available.  So I adapted the original, non-gluten free recipe. 

The original:

• 3 cups Corn Chex
• 3 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Wheat Chex*
• 1 cup nuts*
• 1 cup bite size pretzels
• 1 cup bagel chips*
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce**
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt***
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

*Omitted in my version tonight

I lack gluten free Worcestershire sauce, although options are available.  I just don't use enough to justify buying a whole bottle.  The same can be said about seasoned salt; some has unnamed gluten as an ingredient.  I love the pretzels in Chex mix, so I replaced the nuts and bagel chips with more pretzels.  (In the past, I've added Kix-type cereals [the gluten status of Kix is debated] or popcorn.)  Tonight simplicity was my best friend.

For the mix, I used:

• 4 1/2 cups Corn Chex
• 4 1/2 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Snyder's Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks

**In place of Worcestershire:

• 3 tablespoons San-J Tamari Gluten Free Soy Sauce (a staple in the gluten free kitchen)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

I use an extra tablespoon because the flavors tend to be a little less intense than traditional Worcestershire sauce.


***Instead of seasoned salt, I played around with spices.  I encourage you to use what smells & tastes best to you.  My mix:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

I've never before microwaved my Chex mix, but tonight (as I was cooking dinner) I decided to give it a shot.  

• Mix the desired crunchies in a large microwavable bowl.  
• In a separate smaller microwavable bowl, nuke the butter.  (I used 7 tablespoons instead of 6 because I love butter.)
• Mix the seasonings into the butter bowl and stir well.  Pour onto the crunchies gradually, stirring as you pour.
• Microwave for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring well every 2 minutes.  I emphasize this because I stirred, but not well.  When I pulled the Chex mix from the microwave, I had some stuck together in the center and smoking...  It made all the yummy kitchen smells absolutely dissipate. 
• Spread onto paper towels to cool and keep in an airtight container.  

Dunzo!!