This homemade Chex Mix recipe is a surefire way to elevate your snacking game! A delicious combination of crunchy ingredients coated in a savory mixture of butter, spices and a hint of heat, makes every bite a flavor explosion. Whether you’re entertaining guests on game day, need a quick snack, or want to bring something to a potluck, this homemade Chex Mix recipe is sure to be a hit!
Love easy appetizers? Make sure to try my Deviled Eggs, Veggie Pizza and Olive Dip!
This post is sponsored by Challenge Dairy.
Homemade Chex Mix
There is nothing more addicting that this easy homemade Chex Mix recipe! If you’ve never had Chex Mix before, it’s really a simple recipe that is essentially a blend of crispy and crunchy ingredients that get coated in a mixture of butter and spices. It’s a tantalizing and delicious snack recipe that’s great for game day, potlucks and BBQs!
Whether you’re looking for a snack to share with friends or something to munch on while you relax, this Chex Mix is the perfect choice. This easy snack mix is always a crowd favorite. Serve it with some small bowls of even some disposable cups so people can scoop and go. I’m sharing some of our favorite variations below so make sure to check those out!
Party Food
This easy snack mix a crowd favorite but make sure to wow them with even more of our favorite appetizers:
- Spicy Ranch Pretzels
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Jalapeño Popper Bites
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites
- Spicy Ranch Crackers
Chex Mix Ingredients
Chex Mix recipes are popular for good reason! They are easy to make and even easier to eat! See why they’ve been a staple for game day for decades by making this homemade Chex Mix! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…
- Chex cereal – I use a combination of corn, rice and wheat but you can use your favorite. The Chex cereal is the base of this Chex Mix and provides superior crunching for the ultimate snack.
- cheese crackers – We love adding cheese crackers to our Chex mix. The cheesy flavor goes perfectly with all the other ingredients.
- pretzels – Mini pretzel or snaps work best but pretzel sticks can also be used. These add a nice saltiness to the mix.
- mixed nuts – I usually opt for whole mixed nuts but if you have a favorite nut, like cashews or almonds, you could use them exclusively in this recipe.
- bagel chips – We love adding bagel chips or crisps because they have such great texture and hold a lot of the seasoning which makes them super flavorful.
- unsalted butter – The butter is really the star of the show in this recipe providing three benefits: adds tons of buttery flavor, helps the seasoning adhere to the rest of the ingredients and ensures that the mixture gets nice and crisp. We used Challenge butter for this recipe.
- Worcestershire sauce – Part of the butter and seasoning mixture that gets tossed with the dry ingredients, Worcestershire sauce adds a wonderful savory element to the flavor profile.
- seasonings – I use my favorite combination of seasonings for this classic Chex mix recipe: garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. You can use regular paprika if you prefer.
- hot sauce – Completely optional but a find that a dash or two really amps up the flavor of this snack mix.
Use the best quality ingredients for the best results!
I used Challenge butter in this Chex Mix recipe because it’s the BEST. Challenge is the brand of butter I’ve used and trusted for years and years. Made with 100% real cream, it’s my butter of choice. I’ve been using Challenge products my whole life and trust their products. I know the quality is outstanding and use it for all my recipes!
How To Make Chex Mix
- Preheat the oven to 250°F.
- Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine the Chex cereal, cheese crackers, pretzels, nuts and bagel chips if using in a large bowl or directly on the sheet pan.
- Whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and hot sauce (if using) in a small bowl.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated. Be gentle when tossing because you don’t want the Chex cereal to get crushed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread to create an even layer.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, spreading evenly and returning to the oven.
- Cool the Chex Mix on the baking sheet.
- Enjoy!
Storage Information
This Chex Mix recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. Just be sure to let the mix cool completely before storing.
To Freeze: Transfer to an airtight, freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Sit out at room temperature until thawed. To refresh the Chex Mix, simply reheat it in the oven at 250°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Slow Cooker Chex Mix
Chex Mix is also delicious in the crockpot! It’s super easy to make and is sure to make the house smell amazing!
- In a large slow cooker, combine the Chex cereal, cheese crackers, pretzels, nuts, and bagel chips if using. Toss to evenly distribute ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using).
- Drizzle the mixture over the cereal mixture and toss gently but thoroughly so that the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Set the slow cooker on low heat and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Once the Chex Mix is fully cooked and crispy, transfer it to a serving bowl and enjoy!
Chex Mix Flavors
There are endless variations you can try with this Chex Mix recipe to make it your own. Some popular Chex mix variations include adding in different types of cereal or nuts, using different seasonings or spices, or even using a different type of cracker or snack. The possibilities are endless! Here are some of our favorite Chex Mix flavors:
- Ranch Chex Mix. Use my recipe below but substitute in one (1 ounce) package of ranch seasoning mix for the garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. Hot sauce is optional.
- Barbecue Chex Mix. Use my recipe below but substitute in 1/2 a cup of your favorite barbecue sauce for the Worcestershire sauce.
- Taco Chex Mix. Use my recipe below but add substitute 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning or one (1 ounce) package plus 1 teaspoon of ground cumin for the garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. Hot sauce is optional.
I hope this gives you a jumping off point for creating unique Chex mix recipes that your family will love!
Chex Mix FAQs
Absolutely! Feel free to use any type of Chex cereal that you like, in any combination, or even try using different types of cereal for a unique twist.
Sure can! Just make sure to select gluten free crackers and cereal.
Yes, you can make this Chex Mix recipe in advance and store it in an airtight container for up to a week. Just be sure to let the mix cool completely before storing it
The possibilities are limitless when it comes to variations on Chex Mix. In addition to the variations I listed above considering adding different nuts, dried fruits or go for a sweet and salty mix and add some M&Ms or chocolate chips.
Trish’s Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to stir the mixture every 15 minutes while it’s baking. This helps to ensure that the ingredients are evenly baked and that the seasoning mixture is distributed evenly.
- Be gentle when tossing the butter mixture with the dry ingredients so that they don’t get crushed.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy clean up.
- Experiment with new seasoning blends for fun new flavors.
More Tasty Appetizers To Try
How To Make This Chex Mix Recipe
Chex Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 2 cups cheese crackers
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups mixed nuts
- 1 cup bagel chips optional
- 16 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Dash or two of hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In an extra large bowl, combine the Chex cereal, cheese crackers, pretzels, nuts and bagel chips if using. Toss to evenly distribute ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and hot sauce (if using).
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated..
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread to create an even layer.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, spreading evenly and returning to the oven.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the Chex Mix cool on the baking sheet.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!
Kerri Coffman says
I am making mine on my Traeger to add more smokey flavor.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That is a GREAT idea!
Jan says
You can make in the micro. Heat on high 6 minutes; stirring every two minutes!