Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups rice cereal squares (like Chex)
- 2 cups pretzel sticks, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups mixed nuts (peanuts, cashews, pecans work well)
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup real bacon bits
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This low temperature prevents burning while everything gets perfectly crispy.
- Combine all the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix together the cereal squares, broken pretzel pieces, bagel chip pieces, and mixed nuts. Give everything a good stir to distribute evenly.
- Make the maple bacon coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter completely. Stir in the maple syrup, bacon bits, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until well combined.
- Coat the mix thoroughly. Pour the maple bacon butter over the cereal mixture. Use a large spoon or your hands to toss everything until every piece is coated. Don’t skip this step – even coverage is key.
- Spread on the baking sheets. Divide the mixture between your two prepared baking sheets. Spread it out in a single layer so everything bakes evenly.
- Bake low and slow. Put both sheets in the oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. This prevents sticking and ensures even browning.
- Cool completely before storing. Let the mix cool on the baking sheets for at least 15 minutes. It will continue to crisp up as it cools.
- Store properly. Transfer to an airtight container once completely cool. It will stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
