Name: Slow-Cooker Party Mix
Total time: 4 h
Ingredients: 9 cups (10 ounces) corn , Rice, and/or Wheat Chex cereal; 2 ounces pita chips , broken into 1-inch pieces (1 cup); 1 cup (1½ ounces) mini pretzels; 1 cup (5 ounces) dry-roasted peanuts; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 1½ teaspoons garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Why This Recipe Works

After making a back-of-the-box party mix recipe, we felt there was room for improvement. We decided to sidestep the conventional oven method in favor of using the slow cooker to create a perfectly toasted party mix every time. We started with the classic combination of Corn, Rice, and Wheat Chex cereals, to which we added pita chips, mini pretzels, and dry-roasted peanuts. Tasters preferred the nutty sweetness of melted butter to margarine or olive oil, as those left a greasy finish. Since Worcestershire sauce was integral to getting that trademark party mix flavor, we decided to add a generous amount to ensure its flavor didn't become muted in the slow cooker. We also doubled the usual amount of garlic powder and added a little cayenne pepper for subtle heat. To help release excess moisture and ensure our mix wouldn't get soggy, we removed the lid every hour to stir, which also redistributed the mix so it wouldn't burn. To finish, we spread the mix out on a rimmed baked sheet to dry and crisp.

Before You Begin

You can use any combination of cereal here; just be sure to have 9 cups of cereal in total. You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Instructions

1. Combine cereal, pita chips, minipretzels, and peanuts in slow cooker. Whisk melted butter, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and cayenne together in bowl. Drizzle butter mixture over cereal mixture and gently toss until evenly coated. Cover and cook, stirring every hour, until cereal mixture is toasted and fragrant, 3 to 4 hours on high.

Transfer cereal mixture to rimmed baking sheet and spread into even layer. Let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Serve. (Party mix can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.)