Homemade Chex Mix

Classic homemade Chex mix is irresistible! This easy party mix is perfect for entertaining, movie nights, or an afternoon snack.

I’ve been a fan of Chex mix since I was a kid, especially around the holidays. There’s just something about the aroma of a fresh batch of snack mix that I love!

My whole family loves homemade Chex mix too, so we make it often. A whole batch doesn’t last more than a few days around us.

It’s so easy to make, though, that we can have another batch whipped up before the first one is gone. 

Plus, it’s wonderful for any parties or gatherings you might be having, from tailgating to white elephant exchanges to the New Year’s Eve countdown.

One taste of this crunchy, craveworthy Chex mix will help you see why it’s everyone’s favorite!

Ingredients

Chex cereal – You’ll need a total of 9 cups of cereal for this recipe. For the most classic version, use 3 cups of each. Or, change it up for your tastes, using more corn Chex in place of some of the wheat Chex, for instance.

Peanuts – Roasted and salted peanuts are great, or you can use unsalted, honey roasted, or spiced.

Pretzels – Look for smaller pretzels such as rounds or squares, which will mix best with the cereals.

Garlic rye chips – Don’t skip out on the rye chips! They’re a wonderful addition that adds lots of flavor and a hearty crunch.

Melted butter – Butter is needed to coat everything with seasoning. Don’t be tempted to reduce the amount used here, as you might end up with some dry, flavorless bites of mix.

Worcestershire sauce – For umami flavor, this is necessary!

Seasoned salt – Use your favorite seasoned salt for making Chex mix. Lawry’s is the most popular brand.

Garlic powder – Look for a good quality garlic powder that actually smells like garlic! If possible, try to find fresh garlic powder from a local spice shop.

Onion powder – Onion powder adds more flavor with just a touch of sweetness instead of bite.

How to make Chex party mix

First, preheat your oven to 250°F. 

Grab a large roasting pan or baking dish. You’ll want a pan that is large enough to contain everything and also give enough room so nothing spills out when stirring.

Combine the cereals, nuts, pretzels, and rye chips in the roasting pan.

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Pour the seasoning mixture over the cereals. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to stir well, coating the cereals as much as possible.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour.

Every 15 minutes, remove the pan and give it a good stir to redistribute ingredients.

Let cool completely before serving or storing.

I let my Chex mix cool in the pan, but you can also pour it onto a paper-towel lined surface to cool faster.

Can I make Chex mix in the microwave?

If you prefer, you can make Chex mix in the microwave using a large microwave-safe bowl.

Do not use a ceramic bowl, which will get too hot in the microwave. If needed, divide the recipe among multiple bowls or make a smaller batch.

Combine the cereals, pretzels, and nuts in a large bowl.

Melt the butter in a small bowl and whisk in seasonings. Pour it over the cereal mixture and stir to coat well.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds. If you have a high wattage microwave, you might need less cook time.

Spread the Chex mix on a baking sheet to cool and store in an airtight container.

Recipe suggestions

One reason I love Chex mix so much is that I can add whatever I want based on what we have in the pantry.

Try some of these:

• Cheerios
• Bagel chips
• Cheese crackers
• Oyster crackers
• Wasabi peas
• Bugels
• Corn chips
• Popcorn

Storage tips

Homemade Chex mix will last at least a week in an airtight container. 

Zip-top bags, plastic pop-top containers, or glass jars all work well for storing. If it lasts that long!

Other snack mix recipes you’ll love

Try one of these variations!

• Ranch Chex Mix
• Taco Chex Mix
• Puppy Chow
• Cheddar Chex Mix
• Buffalo Chex Mix