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Grab all your favorite crunchy snacks and cereals to make this Furikake Chex Mix! A delicious Asian twist on a traditional snack mix favorite.
My kids an I are always on the lookout of the best Asian snacks! We love anything that is crunchy, salty, sweet and umami flavored. If your family’s the same, you will love making this delicious, sweet and salty Furikake Chex Mix! I made it with my master 5 year old baker @DashBakesTheGreats and it couldn’t be easier! Kids will also love digging their hands and mixing the edible deliciousness. It’s like like a giant edible sensory bin!
We love eating this snack mix as an after-school snack or on road trips! It tastes especially great with boba milk tea or with other Asian snacks!
What is Furikake Seasoning?
Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend traditionally used to add flavor and texture to rice dishes. It typically consists of a mixture of dried fish, sesame seeds, dried seaweed, salt, sugar, and other spices or flavorings. Furikake comes in various flavors, depending on the ingredients used, and can include elements such as bonito flakes, shiso leaves, egg, or even wasabi. In recent years, furikake has gained popularity outside of Japan and is now used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, noodles, and snacks like the Furikake Chex Mix.
What is Chex Mix?
Chex Mix is a popular snack mix that originated in the United States and is traditionally made by combining Chex cereal with a variety of other savory snack ingredients, such as pretzels, nuts, and crackers. Honeycomb cereal which lends a slightly sweet flavor is also a common addition. These snacks are then seasoned, combined in a syrupy sauce, and then baked to create a crispy, savory snack mix.
Chex Mix can be customized with different seasonings and mix-ins, resulting in a wide range of flavors to suit individual preferences. Homemade versions of Chex Mix are common, and many people enjoy creating their own unique blends, like the Furikake Chex Mix, which combines the Japanese furikake seasoning for a delightful fusion of flavors.
We have also created sweet versions like cinnamon sugar Chex Mix with a combination of brown sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon.
How to make Furikake Chex Mix?
Although you can pretty much add any type of dried cereal and savory snacks since this is an Asian-inspired snack mix, we opted for the following:
- Corn Chex Mix
- Honeycomb Cereal
- Sesame Sticks
- Pretzels
- Wasabi Peas
- Dried Ramen pieces
The sauce is a combination of corn syrup, butter, vegetable oil, maple syrup and low sodium soy sauce for that wonderful umami flavor.
The key to making great Chex Mix that doesn’t clump is to mix and break up the pieces over 3 times during the baking period.
What ingredients to add to Chex Mix?
Here is a list of popular ingredients that can be added to a Chex Mix recipe:
- Cereals: Chex cereal (rice, corn, or wheat varieties) is the foundation of Chex Mix. You can also add other cereals like Honeycomb, Cheerios or Crispix for variety.
- Pretzels: Traditional pretzel twists or sticks add a salty crunch to the mix.
- Nuts: Peanuts, almonds, cashews, or pecans are popular choices. You can use raw or roasted nuts, depending on your preference.
- Bagel chips or crackers: Bite-sized bagel chips, rye chips, or other crackers, such as Goldfish or Cheez-It, can add extra texture and flavor.
- Popcorn: Adding popcorn can lighten the mix and provide a different type of crunch.
- Dried fruits: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots can add a touch of sweetness and chewiness.
- Seeds: Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds can provide additional crunch and nutrition.
- Seasonings: Customize your Chex Mix with various seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, or even Furikake for a Japanese twist.
Easy Furikake Chex Mix Recipe – Ingredients
Adapted from LA Times
- Corn Chex Cereal
- Honeycomb Cereal
- Sesame Sticks
- Pretzels
- Ramen (dried)
- Wasabi Peas
- Butter
- Vegetable Oil
- Corn Syrup
- Maple Syrup
- Soy Sauce
- Furikake Seasoning
Furikake Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 5 Cups Chex Cereal we used corn
- 4 Cups Honeycomb Cereal
- 2 Cups Sesame Sticks
- 2 Cups Pretzels
- 2 pieces Ramen (dried)
- 1 1/2 Cups Wasabi peas
Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Melted unsalted butter, cooled
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable oil
- 1/2 Cup Light corn syrup
- 2 TBSP Maple syrup
- 4 TBSP Sugar
- 1 1/2 TBSP Soy sauce (low sodium ok)
Furikake Seasoning
- 1 ½ bottles Furikake seasoning (about 3 ounces)
Instructions
- Grab two 9" x 13" pans and line with parchment paper. Heat oven to 250 degrees.
- Place the dried snacks evenly distributed into the two pans. Mix well with your hands or spatula.
- In a glass mixing bowl or microwable bowl, add the sauce ingredients and whisk well until there are no lumps and a homogeneous mix is formed. You can also microwave for 10-15 seconds at a time until you get a nice velvety mix that resembles a thick brown syrup.
- Pour this mix evenly between the two pans. Add the Furikake seasoning. Mix with a spatula.
- Place the pans int he oven. The mix will bake for a TOTAL of 60 minutes. After the first 20 minutes, remove the pans, mix and break up the pieces and then return for another 20 minutes. Do the same after that time, remove and break up the pieces. For the final 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 275 degrees.
- After the final last 20 minutes, remove the pans, break up the pieces again and then transfer to two parchment lined baking pans to evenly cool and crisp. The snack mix should crisp within the hour.
- Store in zipper food bags or air tight containers and enjoy for 5-7 days after making although I'm sure it won't last that long!
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Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.