Sweet and Spicy Smoked Snack Mix
On December 03, 2020 (Updated May 11, 2024)
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This Smoked Snack Mix is going to be the snack at hand for all your events. It’s perfect for tailgating, hiking, camping, parties, and basically anything else where there are people who like tasty munchies. This snack mix is coated with a sweet and sticky Cholula hot sauce-laced caramel. It’s not too spicy, not too sweet, and perfectly smoky while keeping all of the crispy crunch.
Smoked Snack Mix
Now that we’ve got our crunch mixture ready, it’s time to talk seasoning. There are loads of snack mix recipes out there and they’re all about the same, super sweet or one-note savory, but I wanted something that would make people’s taste buds tingle. My favorite way to do that is to add in unexpected flavor profiles. That’s where the Cholula Hot Sauce comes in. It’s got such a nice mix of tangy vinegar, spices, and chiles that it was the perfect complement to the sticky sweet caramel.
Once that tasty caramel sauce hits those crackers, it’s time for another taste twister. This snack mix gets a smoky kiss from being baked on my smoker! I used maple wood to add the perfect hint of smoke to bring all of the elements together. This snack mix is crunchy, salty, sweet, smoky, and just spicy enough to keep you going back for another handful!
Quick note: If you don’t eat everything in one setting, store the snack mix in a single layer on sheets of parchment or wax paper in an airtight container.
Ingredients for Smoked Snack Mix
A good snack mix starts with the perfect combo of munchies and, after several versions and recipe testing, I believe I have found the perfect ratio! The secret to a good snack mix is picking real winners for every element. You don’t want to have any undesirables in your mix or you’ll end up with a bowl of the reject snack at the bottom with everything else eaten.
- Chex cereal. You can use whichever variety you like, but I loved the rice and corn versions best.
- Stick pretzels. This is important because they add all sorts of interesting angles and crispness to the mix without adding too much bulk.
- Bugles. Find these guys in your snack aisle. They are the perfect amount of salty for the snack mix and add a lightweight crunch.
- Oyster crackers. These offer a nice buttery cracker element and are the perfect size for munching!
- Nuts. The spicy caramel sauce and smoke flavor is soo so good on nuts. I used unsalted mixed nuts, but you can really use whatever type of nut you like best!
I recommend you assemble all ingredients before starting. You’re essentially making a homemade caramel and you need to move quickly to get it all put together.
Smoked Snack Mix Recipe Variations
If you’re looking to mix up ways to cook this snack mix (or you’re interested in trying some different flavors), try out these snack mix recipe variations:
- Cook on your grill. If you don’t have a smoker, you can totally adapt this recipe for your oven or grill. Just follow the time and temperature guidelines in the recipe below. You’ll be missing a little of that smoky element, but all of the great flavors of the crackers and Cholula caramel will still be in the snack mix.
- Set the caramel in your oven. If you aren’t smoking the mix, pop it into the oven at 225 to help set the caramel.
- Try a different hot sauce. I like Cholula the most in this mix, but you could sub for another hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot.
More BBQ Snack Recipes
Here are some tasty snacks that you can make on your BBQ! They’re great to have on hand at parties or to give as gifts during the holiday season.
Smoked Snack Mix Recipe
Sweet Rub
$12.99
Sweet and Spicy Smoked Snack Mix
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chex cereal rice or corn is my favorite
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup Bugles
- 1 cup oyster crackers
- 1 cup mixed nuts
For the Cholula Caramel
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Cholula original hot sauce
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F.
- Dump all crackers, cereals, and nuts in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, Cholula, and salt. Boil for 3 minutes, whisking continuously. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture will bubble up and foam quite a bit, just keep whisking.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the snack mix in the large bowl. Stir quickly to cover all of the snacks with the caramel sauce.
- Dump the caramel covered snacks out onto a foil lined sheet pan that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Smoke the snacks at 225 degrees F for an hour. I used a mix of cherry and maple wood for a subtle smoky flavor that complemented the sweet heat from the caramel sauce.
- Remove the sheet pan from the smoker and allow to cool before breaking the snacks apart and serving (though if you find yourself sneaking bites of the still warm snacks, I won't judge you).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published in September 2020. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Amazing! We love it
This is our family’s all time go to snack recipe! It is awesome, spectacular, stupendous, and the list goes on! Thank you for this recipe
Substitute the Oyster Crackers for Cheez Its and it takes it to another level! Love this recipe and have made it multiple times. After the first time didn’t love the Oyster Crackers and have used Cheez Its every time since. It gives you that Caramel & Cheddar popcorn effect, except spicy & smoky.
Oh I might just have to try that next time!
This is our go to snack! We have brought it to parties and work events, and have received nothing but raves!!! Perfect amount of sweet and spice…. with that kiss of smoke!
How far in advance can this be make, if stored in ziploc bags?
I would say pretty far in advance(a month or more). It will keep really well in a sealed bag.
I used chaffing pans (small) as my smoker is tall and not very wide.. I found the caramel ended up at the bottom and was very difficult to break the mix apart. Most of my pretzels etc ended up broken. Tastes good but but feel like I did something wrong.
Sounds like the caramel got too hot and hardened too much.
I’ve made this several times, always a hit. I try some different add in snacks each time… folks love the mini melba toast as an add in. I always add more bugles too, those are so good with this sauce on them.
I’ve made this 4 or 5 times over the last few months. It is always a hit! I’ll admit that I do back off on the Cholula a bit (I come from a long line of Norwegian farmers). My brother-in-law even said “You could make money selling this stuff”….
Thanks so much for your comment!! I’m so glad you like the snack mix!!
Is there an alternative to corn syrup?
this is amazing my husband brings it to work in gallon zip locks and everyone seems to make it to his desk all day long.
How long do you think it would stay fresh in mason jars?
I haven’t tried it mason jars, but I would think it would last for at least a week
I’m going to try this, too. I don’t have a smoker and plan to bake it in the oven. Do you think a smidge of liquid smoke might work in the caramel sauce?
I have had other readers try the liquid smoke and say it works, so go for it!
I don’t have a smoker. Would you still cook for the same amount of time and temp in the oven?
Yes, you can follow the same time and temperature instructions and bake in the oven.
You had me at “Smokey Cholula Caramel”! This is insanity, I can’t wait to try it.