Introduction

Hey there, friend! Pull up a chair and let’s talk snacks. You know how some recipes just stick with you, maybe from childhood campouts, family gatherings, or potlucks? This Boy Scout Snack Mix is exactly that kind of recipe for me. It’s the kind of mix that disappears faster than you can make it, and everyone always asks, “What’s in this?!”

What makes this recipe so fantastic? Well, for starters, it’s ridiculously easy. Seriously, if you can pour and stir, you can make this mix. There’s no baking involved, which is a huge win in my book, especially when you need a quick snack fix or something last-minute for a party. It’s got that perfect balance of crunchy, cheesy, salty, and savory thanks to a simple, flavor-packed oil coating. Get ready to make this on repeat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Comes together in mere minutes – perfect for last-minute munchies.
Easy: No complicated steps or special equipment needed, just a big bowl and a spoon!
Giftable: Pack it up in cute jars or bags for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Crowd-pleasing: This mix is universally loved by kids and adults alike. Be warned, it’s addictive!

Ingredients

Gather ’round, these are the heroes of our snack adventure!

14.5 ounce bag Bugles chips (nacho or regular flavor): These cone-shaped wonders are perfect for catching all that delicious seasoning. Use whichever flavor you love most!
7 ounce box cheese crackers: Adds a classic cheesy crunch. Think your favorite square, cheesy cracker!
2 cups peanuts (almonds, or mixed nuts): For protein and extra crunch. Peanuts are classic, but feel free to swap in your favorite nut or a mix!
4 cups oyster crackers: Another small, perfect bite to soak up flavor.
4 cups pretzel pieces (mini pretzel twists or sticks): You can’t have snack mix without pretzels! Breaking up larger twists or using sticks works great.
6 tablespoons ranch seasoning (2 envelopes): This is the magic dust! Two packets give it serious ranch flavor.
2 tablespoons chili powder: Just a touch for warmth and a hint of smokiness. Adjust up or down based on your spice preference!
1 cup popcorn oil: This helps distribute the seasoning perfectly and adds a nice richness. Any neutral vegetable oil works too, but I find popcorn oil gives it a little something extra.

How to Make It

Okay, let’s get mixing! Trust me, this is the easiest part.

1. First things first, grab the biggest bowl you own. Seriously, get one that looks way too big for the amount of stuff you’re about to put in it. It makes mixing SO much easier without crushing everything.

2. Pour all the dry ingredients into the giant bowl: the Bugles, cheese crackers, nuts, oyster crackers, and pretzel pieces. Give them a little preliminary toss to combine them roughly.

3. In a separate, smaller bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the popcorn oil, ranch seasoning, and chili powder. Stir it well until the seasoning is incorporated into the oil.

4. Pour the seasoned oil mixture evenly over the dry ingredients in the large bowl.

5. Now, the fun part (and the workout!): use a large spoon or spatula to gently but thoroughly stir everything together. You want every single piece of chip, cracker, and nut to get coated in that delicious oil and seasoning blend. Keep stirring for a few minutes, lifting from the bottom and folding it over, until everything looks nicely coated.

6. (Optional but highly recommended) Let the mix sit in the bowl for about 15-30 minutes before storing or serving. Give it a gentle stir every 5-10 minutes during this time. This resting period really helps the flavors meld and the seasoning cling to the snacks.

7. Once rested (or if you’re in a rush, right after mixing), pour the snack mix into serving bowls or transfer it to airtight containers for storage.

That’s it! See? Told you it was easy!

Substitutions & Additions

This mix is super forgiving and customizable! Here are some ideas to make it your own:

Change up the base: Swap Bugles or cheese crackers for Chex cereal (corn or rice), Goldfish crackers, pita chips, or even different kinds of pretzels.
Vary the nuts: Use cashews, pecans, walnuts, or skip the nuts entirely if there are allergies (just add more crackers or pretzels to make up the volume).
Try different oils: Melted butter (clarified butter works best) or other neutral oils like vegetable or canola can be used instead of popcorn oil.
Spice it up (or down!): Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot smoked paprika for more heat. Reduce or omit the chili powder if you prefer no spice.
Switch the seasoning: Experiment with other mixes like taco seasoning, onion soup mix, or a homemade blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of sugar.
Boost the flavor: A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce whisked into the oil adds a deeper savory note.

Tips for Success

Making this mix is pretty foolproof, but these little tips will ensure it’s perfect every time:

Size Matters: Use that giant bowl! Seriously, it prevents crushing and makes coating so much easier.
Coat Thoroughly: Take your time mixing to ensure the oil and seasoning reach every nook and cranny.
Taste and Adjust: Once coated, sneak a bite! If you want more ranch flavor, sprinkle a little more seasoning on top and stir again. If you want more heat, add a tiny pinch of cayenne.
Let it Rest: That resting period isn’t strictly required, but I find it really helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Prep Ahead: This mix is fantastic made a day or two in advance. The flavors only get better!

How to Store It

If by some miracle you have leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh and crunchy:

Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. A large zip-top bag or a sealed plastic or glass container works perfectly.

It should stay fresh and delicious for 1 to 2 weeks, though in my experience, it’s usually gone long before then!

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I bake this mix?
A: This recipe is specifically designed to be a no-bake mix! Baking can sometimes cause the Bugles or other components to burn or become overly hard. The simple oil coating provides plenty of flavor without needing to turn on the oven.

Q: Can I use less oil?
A: The oil is key to getting the seasoning to stick evenly to everything. While you could experiment with slightly less, using the full cup ensures everything is well-coated and the seasoning doesn’t just fall to the bottom of the bowl.

Q: Is it spicy with the chili powder?
A: With just 2 tablespoons, the chili powder adds a very mild warmth and depth of flavor, not intense heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce it to 1 tablespoon or omit it entirely. If you love heat, add a pinch of cayenne!

Q: What kind of popcorn oil should I use?
A: Any standard yellow popcorn oil that you’d use for popping corn works great! It’s typically a neutral-flavored oil that takes well to the added seasonings.

Classic & Easy Boy Scout Snack Mix

A classic, easy-to-make, no-bake snack mix with a perfect balance of crunchy, cheesy, salty, and savory flavors from a simple seasoned oil coating. Perfect for parties, gifts, or just snacking!

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Prep Time 5

Equipment

Large bowl Biggest one you own, makes mixing easier
Smaller bowl or liquid measuring cup
Large spoon or spatula
Whisk

Ingredients

Snack Mix

14.5 ounce Bugles chips nacho or regular flavor
7 ounce cheese crackers favorite square, cheesy cracker
2 cup peanuts or almonds, or mixed nuts
4 cup oyster crackers
4 cup pretzel pieces mini pretzel twists or sticks
6 tablespoon ranch seasoning 2 envelopes
2 tablespoon chili powder
1 cup popcorn oil or any neutral vegetable oil

Instructions

First things first, grab the biggest bowl you own. Seriously, get one that looks way too big for the amount of stuff you're about to put in it. It makes mixing SO much easier without crushing everything.
Pour all the dry ingredients into the giant bowl: the Bugles, cheese crackers, nuts, oyster crackers, and pretzel pieces. Give them a little preliminary toss to combine them roughly.
In a separate, smaller bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the popcorn oil, ranch seasoning, and chili powder. Stir it well until the seasoning is incorporated into the oil.
Pour the seasoned oil mixture evenly over the dry ingredients in the large bowl.
Now, the fun part (and the workout!): use a large spoon or spatula to gently but thoroughly stir everything together. You want every single piece of chip, cracker, and nut to get coated in that delicious oil and seasoning blend. Keep stirring for a few minutes, lifting from the bottom and folding it over, until everything looks nicely coated.
(Optional but highly recommended) Let the mix sit in the bowl for about 15-30 minutes before storing or serving. Give it a gentle stir every 5-10 minutes during this time. This resting period really helps the flavors meld and the seasoning cling to the snacks.
Once rested (or if you're in a rush, right after mixing), pour the snack mix into serving bowls or transfer it to airtight containers for storage.

Notes

Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh and delicious for 1 to 2 weeks. Letting the mix sit for 15-30 minutes after coating (stirring occasionally) is optional but helps the flavors meld.