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 More Delicious Than The Store-Bought Stuff. Chex Mix offers variety: the crisp cereal, toasty pretzels, the unique crunch of the bagel chips. This homemade recipe puts the store-bought to shame.

What is in Chex Mix cheese? ›

degermed yellow corn meal, whole wheat, enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), vegetable (soybean, sunflower, rice bran, and/or canola), sugar, whey powder, corn syrup solids. , contains , 2% or less of: salt, high fructose corn syrup, sour cream ( ...

What is the Chex Mix seasoning made of? ›

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.

Is rice chex a whole grain cereal? ›

Whole Grain Rice, Rice, Sugar, Salt, Molasses. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.

How do you keep Chex Mix from getting soggy? ›

To avoid soggy Chex mix, make sure to toss the ingredients well with the butter mixture and spread out on a large pan. Keeping toasting in the oven and tossing until the Chex mix is well-coated and dry. It will further dry out as it cools.

Is Chex Mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

Who doesn't love traditional Chex Mix? It's salty, crunchy, and everyone has a favorite item– the perfect party snack! But sadly, what makes it taste so good also makes Chex Mix not the healthiest option. It's full of refined grains, sugar, and tons of sodium.

What are the circle brown things in Chex Mix? ›

What Is This Brown Thing In My Chex Mix??? The question of the day is: what are these round, brown disks in my Chex Mix? Answer: Melba toasts. And they are clearly the best part of the whole thing.

Why is Chex Mix so good? ›

Chex Mix is such a perfect food because it is balanced. Each individual piece retains its own individual texture, shape and flavor, yet together the pieces compliment one another and are coated in the same spice blend. Not all pieces absorb the flavor in the same way — some, like the pretzels, are merely coated in it.

Why is Chex Mix called Chex? ›

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

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? ›

Combine all of the dry ingredients — seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), and MSG — together in a bowl or jar. Stir or shake well to combine. Use with Worcestershire sauce (and sometimes melted butter) to bring out the Chex Mix flavors.

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.

What's the healthiest cereal? ›

This article will cover the 14 healthiest cereals you can eat.
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Cereals. ...
  • Nature's Path Organics Superfood Cereals. ...
  • Barbara's Shredded Wheat Cereal. ...
  • Arrowhead Mills Spelt Flakes. ...
  • Cauliflower “oatmeal” ...
  • DIY peanut butter puffs cereal. ...
  • Love Grown Original Power O's. ...
  • DIY flax chia cereal.

Which cereal is not bioengineered? ›

  • 365 by Whole Foods Market, Bite Sized Wheat Squares Cereal, 14 Ounce. ...
  • Cheerios Oat Crunch Oats & Honey Oat Breakfast Cereal, Large Size, 18.2 oz. ...
  • Life Breakfast Cereal, Cinnamon, 13oz Boxes (3 Pack) ...
  • Grape Nuts Original Breakfast Cereal, Crunchy Whole Grain Wheat and Barley Cereal, Non-GMO Project Verified, 20.5 OZ Box.

How many cups of cereal are in a box of Chex? ›

One standard-size (12-ounce) box of Rice Chex cereal contains about 11 cups of cereal.

Is it worth it to make your own trail mix? ›

In case you need convincing on why you don't need to buy trail mix anymore, here are a few reasons to try your hand at homemade trail mix: It's cheaper than store-bought trail mix. You can easily control how much oil, salt and sugar is added so it's usually healthier. You can include all YOUR favorite things!

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.

How much Chex is in a box? ›

One standard-size (12-ounce) box of Rice Chex cereal contains about 11 cups of cereal. Save yourself the hassle of measuring out 9 cups and dump the entire box into your largest bowl.

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