• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Appetizers » Homemade Chex Mix

Published: January 1, 2018 Last Modified: March 25, 2019 By Sara 52 Comments

Homemade Chex Mix

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Homemade Chex Mix Recipe | Snack Mix | Party Mix | Chex Mix Recipe

Your search for the perfect homemade chex mix ends here – this from scratch chex mix 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 in the microwave and is the perfect snack for game day, birthday parties and lunch boxes.

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe | Snack Mix | Party Mix | Chex Mix Recipe #chexmix #pretzels #crackers #snack #snackmix #dinneratthezoo

A sheet pan full of homemade chex mix made with cereal, crackers, pretzels and nuts.

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!

A bowl full of chex party mix made with crackers, cereal and almonds.

How to make homemade chex mix

Every box of Chex cereal comes with a recipe for Chex mix printed on it. But I’m sorry to say, their recipe is not the best. THIS is the best homemade Chex mix. And of course now I need to explain why. First of all, not all Chex varieties are created equal. Corn and rice chex are definitely superior to wheat chex, so I reduced the amount of wheat chex in this recipe.

For the rest of the mix-ins, I use a combination of pretzels, mixed nuts, oyster crackers and cheese crackers, which is a little different than what is called for in the classic recipe. The crackers add great flavor and crunch, sometimes I even use goldfish crackers if I’m making a batch for the kids.

A tray of from scratch chex mix that's made with chex cereal, mixed nuts, pretzels and two kinds of crackers.

There is one other thing that makes this recipe special, and it’s the seasoning salt. The ingredients of seasoning salt can vary widely, and my absolute favorite is the smoky seasoned salt from Penzeys. It has smoked paprika in the mix which really adds a unique flavor to this chex mix. You can find it on Amazon or on the Penzeys website.

Don’t have Penzeys seasoning? Use a standard seasoned salt from your grocery store and add 1/2 a teaspoon of smoked paprika to get the same effect.

A bowl of chex mix which contains cereal, almonds, cashews, oyster crackers, cheese crackers and prtezels.

Chex mix can be made in the oven or in the microwave; I’ve only ever made it in the microwave and it comes out perfectly every time. This chex mix can also be made up to a week before serving, which is perfect for planning ahead!

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!

Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

More party food ideas

  • Bacon Deviled Eggs
  • Cheese Ball Bites
  • Fruit Kabobs
  • Antipasto Skewers
  • Caprese Skewers

Chex Mix Video


Your search for the perfect homemade chex mix ends here - this version is SO much better than the recipe on the box!
Print Pin
5 from 14 votes

Homemade Chex Mix

The absolute best homemade Chex mix, even better than the recipe on the box!
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 140kcal
Author Sara Welch

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

  1. You can omit the nuts and use more of the crackers and pretzels in the same quantities if allergies are a concern.
  2. 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!

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 280mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Appetizers, Cocktail Parties, Snacks

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
    36 Easy Meal Prep Recipes »

    Comments

    1. Beth Walton says

      January 10, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this with broken up triscuits and honey peanuts added in place of the pretzels. It’s divine 😍

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 10, 2019 at 9:48 pm

        So glad to hear you enjoyed it, love your additions!

        Reply
    2. Judith Tuttle says

      January 3, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      I always include honey nut Chex and I use pistachios , garlic parmesan pretzels and m& ms for a bit of sweetness!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 3, 2019 at 6:10 pm

        Love this idea!! Will try it next time.

        Reply
    3. Frieda says

      December 22, 2018 at 1:39 pm

      I made this but added too much seasoning salt so it’s too salty how can I remedy this?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 23, 2018 at 8:01 am

        You could try making another half batch where you completely omit the salt, and stir the unsalted batch in with the over salted batch. I hope this help!

        Reply
    4. Michelle Oliver says

      December 1, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for college finals care packages today using red and green Goldfish for the holidays. Followed the directions and used the smoked paprika…yum! I used the oven instead of microwave. Excellent recipe. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 1, 2018 at 10:47 pm

        Love the idea of using colored goldfish!! Will try that next time!

        Reply
    5. Jim Grisham says

      November 27, 2018 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      I use something similar to this for my party mix but always add Cheerios and a tablespoon of soy sauce. Have always used the oven but may try the microwave. Would certainly be quicker. Thanks for the recipe. Have never used goldfish; will now.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 27, 2018 at 9:49 am

        Hope you enjoy, I need to try it with Cheerios next time!

        Reply
    6. Colinda says

      November 24, 2018 at 2:23 am

      I would like to makes this mix for my daughters party.
      Question….can I make it a day in advance? Are they still crunchy then?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 24, 2018 at 8:52 am

        Yes, you can make it up to a week in advance! You want to make sure that the chex mix is completely cooled before you put it away, it will stay crispy that way.

        Reply
    7. Vicki says

      August 20, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      I’m sure glad to see that someone else uses things that are not in the “traditional” Chex mix….I myself do not bother with the wheat Chex, as I just do not like the taste of them. I also use cheese crackers of various brands-depends on what is on sale and I also use Bugles sometimes.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 20, 2018 at 8:59 pm

        I love the idea of bugles, I need to try that!

        Reply
    8. Aishah says

      August 1, 2018 at 3:26 pm

      What is the serving size
      How would I make this in the oven
      Thx

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 1, 2018 at 9:29 pm

        The serving size is 1/2 cup. You can bake this at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

        Reply
    9. Debbie says

      January 14, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      I serve this for my Bunco group and it’s always a favorite!

      Reply
      • Juliette says

        October 22, 2018 at 7:06 am

        5 stars
        Smoked paprika was so clever. I am a newbie to the world of cooking and I love discovering new spices and this is one of the best. Thanks for the tasty recipe. I’m a forty year old mother of one and resigned from my busy medical practice so I didn’t miss another minute of my sons maturation. I’m still trying to prove to the mother in law I can cook but it’s never right. I don’t think she can diss this one.

        Reply
        • Sara says

          October 22, 2018 at 7:34 am

          I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!! Hope your mother in law likes this one too 🙂

          Reply
    10. Our Family World says

      January 13, 2018 at 4:37 am

      5 stars
      I will have to try this recipe for chex mex. I am always in need for something to munch on when I work and I think this is going to be perfect.

      Reply
    11. Theresa says

      January 12, 2018 at 7:37 pm

      Oooh, a smoky seasoning salt you say? Now, that definitely sounds like a scrumptious way to jazz it up from the boring box recipe!

      Reply
    12. Joyce brewer says

      January 12, 2018 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      This made me wish I had all the ingredients in my pantry to make it right away. We have the cheese crackers, but that’s it. Yum!

      Reply
    13. Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says

      January 12, 2018 at 6:25 pm

      This would be fun to make for the family, as a snack after school or if we’re ever having a movie night. It think it’s definitely something that they’ll like.

      Reply
    14. Rosey says

      January 12, 2018 at 5:55 pm

      The homemade Chex Mix is way better than store bought. I always feel like there are a bazillion preservatives in the mixes you can buy in the store already made.

      Reply
    15. Myrah Duque says

      January 12, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      Chex mix is such a handy item to have around especially for game days and entertaining. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I’m sure everyone will love it.

      Reply
    16. AnnMarie John says

      January 12, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      I love making my own snack mixes because you know what’s going in the mix. Not to mention, it’s perfect for parties and game night with the family! I’d love to keep the recipe!

      Reply
    17. Shell says

      January 12, 2018 at 10:58 am

      Mmmmm, I love Chex Mix. I’ll have to try your version.

      Reply
    18. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

      January 12, 2018 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      That looks so good! I need to make up a huge batch of this. We love Chex Mix, and I’m sure the homemade variety is so much tastier than the store bought.

      Reply
    19. Beverly says

      January 21, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      Today I made this version of Chex mix with the leftover ingredients from Christmas Chex mix. I’m pretty old school, so I had my doubts this would turn out using the microwave. Boy, was I surprised! It turned out with the perfect crunch, and the spices were just the right balance – delicious!! Thanks so much for sharing it.

      Reply
    20. Greg says

      January 18, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      I made this and it is amazing! 10 out of 10! Best Chex mix ever!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Grilling Recipes

    A plate of grilled sweet potatoes topped with cilantro lime dressing.

    Grilled Sweet Potatoes

    Beer can chicken on a grill.

    Beer Can Chicken

    Steak fajitas served on a bed of seared peppers and onions.

    Steak Fajitas Recipe

    This recipe for Greek lemon chicken is marinated chicken that's been grilled to perfection and topped with a bright and delicious tomato and olive relish. The perfect dish for entertaining! #MyNewSaturday #GoogleExpress #ad

    Greek Lemon Chicken

    Steaks grilled, sitting in a pan of steak marinade and topped with butter.

    The BEST Steak Marinade

    A platter of BBQ chicken garnished with corn on the cob and parsley.

    BBQ Chicken (Grilled or Baked)

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    A bowl of sweet and spicy firecracker chicken.

    Firecracker Chicken

    This one pot chicken with cheddar broccoli rice combines classic flavors for a quick and easy dinner. Chicken thighs are cooked with a creamy cheesy broccoli cheddar rice for a complete meal without all the cleanup.

    Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

    A bowl of rice topped with Korean ground beef and mixed vegetables.

    Korean Beef Bowls

    A plate of Instant Pot carnitas with rice, beans, salsa and tortillas.

    Instant Pot Carnitas

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food