Furikake is a Japanese sweet and savory dry seasoning that’s often used to flavor rice or as a topping for dishes. You can find many different varieties of furikake at the supermarket, but a typical mixture contains chopped seaweed, sesame seeds, sugar and sometimes dried fish flakes. The seasoning might sound odd, but you won’t believe how good it tastes, especially when you use it to flavor chex mix.
I bring this furikake chex mix and everyone loves it. EVERYONE. I’m not exaggerating. My sister and Mama Lin asked for the recipe right after they tried it for the first time. The chex mix is a combination of sweet and savory flavors—a flavor profile that’s quite familiar in Asian snacks. That’s why my family loves it so much. Whenever I get together with my college friends, it’s always assumed that I’ll bring a batch of this to the party.
After making about 20 batches of the furikake chex mix, I’ve perfected a healthier recipe that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Most recipes I’ve seen online call for 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of oil, 1 cup of sweetener (usually corn syrup) and about 1 cup of furikake for the same amount of dry ingredients that I’m using here. I’ve cut the amount of fat and sugar in half! Honestly, no one has ever commented that the chex mix needed more butter or sugar.
You need to make this recipe for your next holiday party! Everyone will love you!
MASTERING MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES
- Browning the butter: I used browned butter in the furikake chex mix because I loved the malty flavor it added. Using plain melted butter works, too.
- Be patient with cooking: I know it’s tempting to crank up the heat to quicken the baking time, but try your best to resist! You’ll run the risk of burning the chex mix if you bake it at a high temperature.
- Substitutions: You can make this chex mix with any snack biscuit. Some people like to mix in other types of cereal (like Honeycomb) or snacks like Bugles. I like to keep my mix simple.
Browned Butter Furikake Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or use tamari if gluten free
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 12-ounce package of corn chex
- 1 8-ounce package of pretzel twists, gluten-free pretzels are out there!
- 12 ounces mixed nuts, about 2 1/2 cups
- 1/2 cup furikake, I used the kind without the fish flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250ºF. Position the oven racks to the upper third and lower third positions. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
- Start melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep heating the butter after it has melted. You’ll notice that the melted butter froths up, which is a bit distracting because you can’t tell if the butter is browning at this phase. Just give everything a stir. After a while, the butter will bubble feverishly and create a pleasant popping sound for about a minute. Wait a little longer and the butter will start to turn a golden color. Stir the butter frequently to keep it from burning. Then, the butter bits on the bottom will start to turn brown, like the color of coffee grounds. You want to turn off the heat right before the bits turn black, an indication that you’ve left the butter in there for too long. This entire process should take about 4 to 5 minutes after the butter has melted. Turn off the heat.
- Mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, vanilla and salt into the browned butter. Whisk to combine.
- Take out 2 large bowls. Divide the corn chex, pretzels and nuts between the 2 bowls. Mix up the contents in each bowl. Divide the syrup mixture between the two bowls. Stir to coat the dry ingredients with the syrup. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of furikake in each bowl. Stir again to distribute the furikake.
- Spread the furikake chex mix over the baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour, stirring halfway through baking. Enjoy the sweet smell of butter and sugar wafting around your house as the chex mix bakes.
- Remove the chex mix from the oven. Give everything another stir. You can sprinkle more furikake over the chex mix, if you like. The chex mix will turn crunchy as it cools.
- Store the chex mix in an airtight container. It will keep for 1 to 2 weeks, if it lasts that long.
Notes
- We’re not going to worry about calories for this recipe. It’s difficult to measure how much of this you’re going to eat.
- If you accidentally burn your butter, don’t worry. I’ve been there. Pull your saucepan off the heat immediately. Strain out the dark burnt bits of butter. Smell the strained butter. If it still smells very burnt, melt another stick of butter.
Bridget says
Hi. I was going to make this for the holiday but my local Asian food market didn’t have to exact furikake product linked in the recipe. The alternatives in stock contained MSG. Wondered if your preferred product is MSG free – hoping do because this looks so tasty. Thank you.
Lisa Lin says
Hi, Bridget! The brand I chose doesn’t have MSG in it, but it does include two additives: disodium isosinate and disodium succinate. It’s available on Amazon and Target online (Target is cheaper at the moment). However, Urashima is a brand that produces an all-natural furikake. It’s more expensive and less widely available online, though I wonder if you could find it at a Japanese supermarket. Hope this helps!
Lori says
Made this for New Year’s Day festivities and it was a big hit. I’ve been using so much butter the past month that I decided to cut back on the butter and supplemented with a light tasting olive oil. (1/4 c of each) I’m sure avocado oil would be great too. But it worked and no one noticed ! Thanks for healthier version it’s so much better. My sister said her co-worker brought the fully-loaded (sugar, corn syrup, butter, Bugles and Honeycomb) into work and it was way too sweet! She loved this one so much more!
Lisa Lin says
I’m so glad you and your family/friends enjoyed it, Lori! Yes, use whatever oil you prefer!
Jaimee Gorospe says
Highly addicting for sure! Just made a batch for Superbowl and we couldn’t stop eating it. Thank you for sharing the recipe- will be making more this weekend 😉
Juli says
Hi! Wondering if I can use Earth Balance to substitute the butter. Going to attempt this for my dairy allergy kids.
Lisa Lin says
Hi, Juli! I think it will work!
Christian says
Super easy to make! The browned butter makes a difference – gives it a smokier taste which pairs well with the salty sweet factor.
Elaine Lin says
Yummy snacks! Kids love it 😍