Tijuana Trash

EdsGirlAngie's Note:

The most fiendishly addictive snack mix I've ever had! You can pump up the red pepper if you like; I like it just like this, however. And, you can "mix up" the nuts a bit, but I like those salty Spanish peanuts and some almonds, perhaps even Smokehouse almonds. Make a big batch for your next party; you can't stop eating it!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 9 cups

• 2 cups tortilla chips , broken into 1 inch pieces (I like to use small Tostitos and break them in half)
• 1 ½ cups Crispix cereal or 1 ½ cups Corn Chex
• 4 -5 cups popped popcorn
• 6 ounces nuts , of choice (I like Spanish peanuts and almonds)
• 4 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¾ tablespoon chili powder
• 1⁄8; teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Combine tortilla chips, cereal, popcorn and nuts in a large roasting pan.
3. (Lining the pan with foil first helps the clean-up later--).
4. Combine corn syrup, butter, brown sugar, chili powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan and heat to boiling.
5. Pour over the cereal-popcorn mixture in the pan; stir to coat thoroughly.
6. Bake uncovered 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and turn onto a sheet of waxed paper to cool.
8. will keep in an airtight container for about 2 weeks.

Reviews

[bebeboy03]

I am eating handfuls of this stuff as I write this review. YUMMO!!! I used blue corn chips, pretzel sticks, some cheerios, pecans, honey roasted peanuts, and cashews along with the popcorn. I doubled the sauce and used raw honey in place of the corn syrup. Yum! I can't stop eating it. I am 8 months pregnant and this totally fulfills that sweet/spicy craving!

[akcooker]

Just tried it for the first time and I think it's great! I made a batch and a half (since I had more popcorn than needed after popping it). And I added a bit more tortilla chips and Crispix. I will be serving this at an open house for our 3rd year anniversary for our store. Thank you!

[KansasChef]

I've made this twice now for 2 different parties. The first time, while the flavor was delicious, we all thought there wasn't enough caramel sauce on the mixture. The second time I made it I tripled the sauce mixture, and it was just the right amount to completely coat all of the popcorn, tortilla chips, etc. I did have to bake it a few minutes longer, but it was true perfection! Thank you!