Meggan Hill
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4.85 from 19 votes
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Make this homemade Chex Mix Recipe in the microwave in 10 minutes or less! It’s adapted from the original Chex Party Mix recipe, but I use more butter and I think it’s better that way.
I grew up with Chex Mix. My mom would make a big batch at the holidays or for our summer trip Up To The Cabin, and I loved the stuff. The only change I ever wanted to make was: more flavor. Do you ever get those bites that just taste like the plain cereal? Or an unseasoned pretzel?
Now that I’m all grown up and making Chex Mix on my own, we’re adding more of the good stuff. (Hint: More butter, more seasonings).
And as much as I love my slow cooker and try to use it for everything, I think it defeats the purpose when it comes to Chex Mix. You can make the best Chex Mix Recipe in the microwave in under 10 minutes and you’re done. Prep this recipe for after-school snacking and your kids will think you’re a hero.
Table of Contents
- Recipe ingredients
- Ingredient notes
- Step-by-step instructions
- Recipe tips and variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chex Mix Recipe Recipe
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Chex: I’m leaving out the Wheat Chex because I don’t love them. You’ll wantabout8 or 9 cups of cereal total, however you mix it. Crispix cereal is a good substitute.
- Nuts:The original recipe uses mixed nuts which just seems bizarre to me (what kid wants Brazil nuts?). I went with just peanuts, and I like cocktail peanuts the best but any will work.
- Other mix-ins:Pretzels, yes obviously. I love the garlic rye chips like the ones Gardetto’s makes. Crunchy little Melba toast is good too. Sometimes I break them up (good for smaller children) and sometimes I don’t. Bagel chips also work. You can also try Cheerios, goldfish crackers, whatever!
Step-by-step instructions
- In a large bowl (microwave-safe), combine Chex cereal, pretzels, garlic chips, and peanuts. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave (about 30 seconds). Stir in Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until blended.
- Pour the melted butter mixture over the cereal mixture in 3 batches, stirring well after each addition.
- Microwave the Chex mix on HIGH for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
- Spread the Chex mix on paper towels to cool.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes about 12 cups of cereal (or more), enough for 24 servings, ½ cup each. The true yield depends on exactly which mix-ins you choose and how much of each you add.
- Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Oven method: To make Chex Mix in the oven, spread the coated snack mix evenly on rimmed baking sheets. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Customize your Chex: Substitute a few cups of wheat chex or use a cup of garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips instead of the garlic chips (break into 1-inch pieces if needed). I love peanuts, but you can use almonds or cashews. A few cups of Cheerios or cheese crackers would be good too!
- Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix: Omit the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add 1 packet of dry Ranch seasoning mix and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Swap in cheesy crackers such as Cheese-Itz for the garlic rye chips and omit the nuts.
- Cajun Chex Mix: Omit the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and serve with a bottle of hot sauce on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make gluten-free Chex Mix?
Rice Chex and Corn Chex are naturally gluten-free, so you’re good there. (One reader shared Crispix may cause issues for folks with gluten sensitivities or Celiac’s disease, so please check your labels.) Substitute gluten-free pretzels for the regular, and make sure your Worcestershire sauce and seasoned salt are gluten-free. Use Cheerios (naturally gluten-free) instead of the garlic rye chips.
What are 3 components of Chex Mix?
The three types of cereal are usually Corn Chex, Rice Chex, and Wheat Chex. Beyond that, pretzels, peanuts, and some kind of cracker or rye chip are standard.
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.
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Chex Mix Recipe
By Meggan Hill
Make this homemade Chex Mix recipe in the microwave in 10 minutes or less! It's adapted from the original Chex Party Mix recipe, but I use more butter and I think it's better that way.
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Servings 24 servings (½ cup each)
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Calories 148
4.85 from 19 votes
ReviewPrint
Ingredients
- 4 cups Corn Chex cereal (see note 1)
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups bite-sized pretzels
- 2 cups garlic chips or Melba toast, broken into pieces.
- 1 cup peanuts (see note 2)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine Chex cereal, pretzels, garlic chips, and peanuts.
In a small bowl, microwave butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until blended.
Pour the melted butter mixture over the cereal in 3 batches, stirring well after each addition.
Microwave the Chex mix on HIGH for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Spread the Chex mix on paper towels to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Chex: I’m leaving out the Wheat Chex because I don’t love them. You’ll wantabout8 or 9 cups of cereal total, however you mix it. Crispix cereal is a good substitute.
- Nuts:The original recipe uses mixed nuts which just seems bizarre to me (what kid wants Brazil nuts?). I went with just peanuts (I like cocktail peanuts the best here).
- Other mix-ins:Pretzels, yes obviously. I love the garlic rye chips like the ones Gardetto’s makes. Crunchy little Melba toast is good too. Sometimes I break them up (good for smaller children) and sometimes I don’t. Bagel chips also work. You can also try Cheerios, goldfish crackers, whatever!
- Yield: This recipe makes about 12 cups of cereal (or more), enough for 24 servings, ½ cup each. The true yield depends on exactly which mix-ins you choose and how much of each you add.
- Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 429mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 374IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 4mg
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Meggan Hill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
