Best Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix (Easy Party Recipe) (2024)

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This homemade ranch Chex mix is a simple recipe for a hearty snack with lots of savory flavor. It’s perfect for any occasion from a holiday party to movie night, road trips, or game-day snacking.

Looking for more snack mixes? Trychocolate peanut butter protein puppy chow,puppy chow with cookie butter, orcaramel Crispix mixnext!

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Table of Contents

  • How to Make Ranch Chex Mix
    • Step 1. Mix the Snack Ingredients
    • Step 2. Brown the Butter
    • Step 3. Stir in the Seasonings
    • Step 4. Coat the Snack Mix
    • Step 5. Sprinkle with Parmesan
    • Step 6. Bake
  • Recipe Variations
  • Freezing and Storing Tips
  • More Easy Appetizer Recipes
  • Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix Recipe

This easy snack recipe is made in the oven and bakes to perfection! It’s a deliciously golden brown, cheesy medley of all your favorite hearty snack ingredients coated in a zesty ranch seasoning. Once you take a bite of this mix, you won’t be able to stop.

Did I mention it’s the easiest thing ever to make? I needed a recipe I could take tailgating that was easy to munch on, easy to make, and easy to transport. Because I love Cheese Itz, I wanted a snack mix recipe where they were the star.

My only suggestion is to make a big batch so you have plenty on hand as a crunchy snack for the family or bring it to your next party.

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How to Make Ranch Chex Mix

Here are the basic steps, with images, for this ranch party mix. Skip down to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe.

Step 1. Mix the Snack Ingredients

Combine the cereal, pretzels, cheese crackers, and oyster crackers in a very large bowl. Set aside.

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Step 2. Brown the Butter

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently, for 5-6 minutes until the butter bubbles then foams, and eventually browns. You will start to see the solid bits turn an amber brown color and smell distinctly nutty. Immediately remove from the heat.

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Step 3. Stir in the Seasonings

Pour browned butter into a small bowl, and stir in the dry ranch seasoning and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 4. Coat the Snack Mix

Pour the melted butter mixture over the cereal mixture and gently toss to coat.

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Step 5. Sprinkle with Parmesan

Transfer to the prepared sheet pan and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

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Step 6. Bake

Bake on the lowest rack position at 300°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving.

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Recipe Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can add your favorite snack mix ingredients. Here are some ideas for switching up your own homemade Chex mix:

  • Bagel chips
  • Peanuts
  • Cashews
  • Sesame sticks
  • Mini breadsticks
  • M&Ms
  • Different cereals like Cheerios or other Chex flavors

Freezing and Storing Tips

Allow the snack mix to come to room temperature, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

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If you make this zesty ranch chex mix recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can alsotag me on Instagramso I can see it!

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

  • Puppy chow with peanut butteris a sweet snack mix to bring out at your next party.
  • Black bean and corn dipis the perfect party snack.
  • Whipped goat cheeseis one of my favorite snacks when I need something quick. Serve with bite-size pretzels..
  • Rosemary spiced nutsare an easy recipe for gifting!
  • Candied pecansare a great option if you need a finger food that’s salty and sweet.

Tap stars to rate!

4.24 from 21 votes

Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Cool Time: 15 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Best Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix (Easy Party Recipe) (10)

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Molly Thompson

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Molly Thompson

Servings: 14 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (1/2 box) Rice Chex cereal
  • 3 cups pretzel sticks or mini pretzels (I used both)
  • 3 cups cheddar crackers (I used Cheez Itz)
  • 2 cups oyster crackers
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks; 170g) unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • 1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix (dry) (Note 2 Homemade)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F and arrange the oven rack to the lowest position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

  • Combine the chex cereal, pretzels, Cheez Itz, oyster crackers in a large bowl and set aside.

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes until the butter bubbles then foams, and eventually browns. You will start to see the solid bits turn an amber brown color and smell distinctly nutty. Immediately remove from the heat, pour into a small bowl, and stir in the dry ranch seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Alternately, microwave the butter to melt and skip browning (but I recommend it!).

  • Pour the melted butter mixture over the cereal mixture and gently toss to coat, being careful not to break the Chex cereal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Notes

Note 1. Chex. I prefer rice Chex, but you could use wheat Chex, corn Chex, or a mix of each.

Note 2. Homemade Ranch Seasoning.Mix together 1 Tablespoon EACH of dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder with 3 teaspoons of dried dill, 2 of teaspoons chives, , and a pinch of salt. Use the entire batch for this ranch snack mix.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 685kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1134mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1600IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 358mg | Iron: 23mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Best Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix (Easy Party Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to buy Chex Mix or make your own? ›

Homemade Chex Mix is cheaper AND better tasting than anything you can buy at the store. Does homemade Chex Mix need to be refrigerated? You can store homemade Chex Mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

What makes Chex Mix so good? ›

Seasoned salt: This old-school seasoning has a blend of onion, garlic, spices, and salt. We like Lawry's for Chex mix. Onion and garlic powders: These give the Chex mix a deeper, more savory taste. Worcestershire sauce: A generous amount of lends a subtle savoriness that rounds all the flavors out.

What is in Chex Mix cheese? ›

Contains 2% or less: Salt, Dried Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Dried Buttermilk, Monosodium, Glutamate, Yeast, Yeast Extract, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Monoglycerides, Disodium Phosphate, Baking Soda, Citric Acid, Yellow Corn Flour, Caraway, Onion Powder, Trisodium, Phosphate, ...

What is the Chex Mix seasoning made of? ›

The official Chex Mix recipe calls for 1½ tablespoons seasoned salt, ¾ teaspoons garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.

How do you keep Chex Mix from getting soggy? ›

Snack mix needs a good deal of surface area to cook and dry out properly or it will get soggy — and nobody wants soggy snack mix. Follow this tip: Whether you're cooking the snack mix in the oven or in a slow cooker, you'll want to spread the mix out onto as many baking sheets as possible, be it for baking or cooling.

Is Chex Mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

With a total fat amount of just 15% of the daily limit and only 2.8 grams of sugar, Chex Mix is perhaps one of the healthiest snacks (other than fruits and veggies) that you can have. We recommend simply limiting your amount to one or two ounces because of the fairly high sodium content.

Why is my homemade Chex Mix soggy? ›

After 60 minutes, line your counter with paper towels and pour the mixture on top of the paper towels. This will prevent the Chex Mix from getting soggy. This is a critical step to achieve that perfect airy crunch that makes homemade Chex Mix so much better than the pre-made stuff.

What is the least favorite Chex Mix piece? ›

Other than the rye chip, nothing brought more people together than pretzels — combined, 38% marked the circle and square pretzels as the worst pieces.

What is the crunchy thing in Chex Mix? ›

With corn Chex, wheat Chex, pretzels, mini breadsticks and crispy, cheddary crackers in the mix, you'll get cheesy, crunchy and delicious all in one!

Why is Chex Mix called Chex? ›

The name "Chex" reflects the square checkerboard logo of Ralston Purina.

How many Chex Mix flavors are there? ›

In total, General Mills produces 13 varieties of Chex Mixes, not including limited editions. These flavors can be broadly divided into three categories: savory, chocolate (usually marketed as "Muddy Buddies"), and sweet 'n salty. Sometimes, limited edition varieties of Chex Mix are released.

Does Chex Mix have cheese? ›

WHEY, DISTILLED MONOGLYCERIDES. ONION POWDER, DRIED CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES).

Why is Chex Mix not in Canada? ›

Chex has really not caught on as a brand in Canada. Although many other products of General Mills, like Cheerios, are very popular, Chex is seen as a “niche” product.

How to fix bland Chex Mix? ›

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and garlic powder together until combined. Drizzle half of the sauce evenly over the Chex mix. Then give the mix a gentle stir to combine.

How long will Chex Mix stay fresh? ›

Storage: Store Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-6 weeks or in the freezer for 4-6 months.

Is homemade Chex Mix healthier than chips? ›

Chex mix is a better option to consume than regular potato chips and is high in calories. Manufacturers add niacin and thiamine mononitrate into the chips to increase nutrients.

How long does homemade Chex Mix keep? ›

Slow cooker: Transfer the mixture to slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring ever 45 minutes. Make Ahead Instructions: Chex mix tastes freshest when served within 2-3 days of making it, but it will last stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

How many cups of Chex Mix are in a bag? ›

Chex Mix Snack Mix, Traditional, Savory Snack Bag, 8.75 oz

A: There is probably about 3 cups.

Is Chex Mix better for you than chips? ›

It's 120 Calories an ounce, which is only a few Calories less than most snacks like crackers, chips, and pretzels. Even though it has 22g of carbs, it only has 1 gram of fiber - so most of the grains in it are not whole grains. Being so high in carbs and low in fat and protein, it may spike your blood sugar.

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