Your search for the perfect homemade Chex mix ends here – this from scratch Chex mix is made with cereal, crackers, pretzels and nuts, and is SO much better than the recipe on the box!
Once you try making your own Chex party mix, you’ll never go back to the store bought kind again! It takes just minutes to make and is perfect when paired with other savory appetizers such as potato skins, cowboy caviar and fried shrimp.
January is kind of a funny month, because everyone is trying to eat healthy….but everyone is also eating football food on the weekends! So I decided to bring you a little bit healthy recipes, a little bit game day grub. I can’t believe I haven’t shared this homemade chex mix recipe with you yet, I’ve been making it for years! This party mix is at every birthday party, every family gathering. And this batch pictured here? Didn’t even last 24 hours!
Chex Mix Ingredients
This recipe consists of three types of Chex cereal, oyster crackers, cheese crackers, pretzels, mixed nuts, butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and onion powder.
How do you make homemade Chex mix?
Start by placing your Chex cereal, crackers, pretzels and nuts in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix together the butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and onion powder. Pour the butter mixture over the crackers and cereal, then toss well to combine. Microwave the Chex mix in 2 minute increments, stirring occasionally. Let the snack mix cool, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for the perfect party mix
- This snack mix will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- I typically use Penzey’s brand smoky seasoned salt, but other brands can also be found in the spice aisle at all major grocery stores.
- If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the nuts and use more cereal or crackers in place of the nuts.
- It’s important to stir the cereal mixture after every 2 minutes in the microwave so that it doesn’t burn.
- This recipe can easily be doubled if you’re serving a large crowd.
Recipe FAQs
Chex mix is seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and onion powder. Some versions also include garlic powder.
Chex mix is healthier than chips in that it is not fried. That being said, the mix of cereal, pretzels and nuts are similar calorie wise to a bag of chips. The mix does contain nuts, which are healthy fats that add protein and will keep you full longer.
Generally speaking, it is cheaper to make your own Chex mix, especially if you can score your cereal boxes on sale. You will get a much larger quantity making it yourself compared to a bag that you might buy at the store.
Flavor Variations
While I think this combination of crackers, cereal and nuts is pretty perfect, you can swap out some of the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
- Nuts: You really can use any variety of nut that you like including peanuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds or pistachios.
- Cereal: If you prefer one variety of Chex to another, you can use more of one flavor so long as the total cups of cereal in the recipe stays the same. You can also try adding other types of cereal such as Cheerios.
- Crackers: Feel free to use goldfish instead of cheese crackers; the rainbow goldfish are particularly fun if you’re feeding kids.
- Seasonings: You can add other seasonings to the butter mixture such as garlic powder, hot sauce or even Cajun seasoning.
Once you try this homemade Chex mix, you’ll be hooked – the pre-made stuff in the bag simply can’t compete. This recipe is perfect for pretty much any occasion, so stock up on cereal and give it a go!
More party food ideas
Chex Mix Video
Homemade Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 11/2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 1 1/2 cups oyster crackers
- 1 cup cheese crackers
- 1 cup pretzel twists
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt I highly recommend Penzeys smoky seasoned salt
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the cereal, crackers, pretzels and nuts into a large microwave safe bowl.
- Mix together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and onion powder.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal and toss to coat evenly.
- Microwave for 5-6 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 2 minutes; then spread onto paper towels to cool.
- Serve immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- You can omit the nuts and use more of the crackers and pretzels in the same quantities if allergies are a concern.
- When I make this chex mix for kids, I often use the rainbow colored goldfish crackers instead of standard cheese crackers to make it more fun and eye catching!
Yum! This looks so good and customizable, I’m sure my kids will love making this with me. Thanks for the great game night inspo!
Perfect snack for the football season!
This is such a great party snack! It is easy to make and always disappears fast!
Perfect Chex mix recipe. I love that you add Cheez-Its. Will me making this on repeat.
I love the addition of nuts and that you can personalize it to your tastes
I can be frozen. I do it every year.
that’s a total of about 12-13 cups of snacks in there..seems like a lot.can I just cut everything in half for same results? there’s just 2 of us
Yes, reduce the amount of servings on the recipe card and the ingredients will automatically recalculate!
How can i cut this in thirds…?
You can change the number of servings and the ingredient amounts will automatically adjust!
Can this be frozen to keep fresh?
I don’t recommend freezing it, it will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks.
Can it be put In the oven instead of microwave?
Yes that’s fine! Bake at 250 degrees F for one hour, stirring occasionally.
No more store bought Chex mix for us! This recipe is so much better and easy to make!
How many servings?
24 servings
How long if put in the oven?
Bake at 250 degrees F for 45 minutes, stir every 15 minutes!
If I substitute for the Penzey’s spice, how much seasoned salt do I combine with the 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika?
It’s the same amount of seasoned salt regardless of brand!
This was really good. Husband ate it all.
Can I use this on popcorn?
The butter and seasoning mixture?
What is an 11/2 teaspoon?
1 and 1/2 teaspoon
1 and 1\2