Weve leveled up the classicappetizerrecipe with an ingredient that most Southerners are powerless to resistbacon.

Try as we might, its hard to find a dish that bacon doesnt improve.

Ingredients

6thick-cut bacon slices(about 7 1/2 oz.

Southern Living Smoky Bacon Snack Mix in bowls to serve

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; let cool, and then crumble.

Pour bacon drippings into a heatproof bowl, and set aside.

Add cereal; toss until well coated.

Pour onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and spread in an even layer.

Bake cereal mixture in preheated oven until crispy and dry, about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

Remove from oven, and return cereal mixture to large bowl.

Add smoked almonds and crumbled bacon; toss to combine.