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Make this homemade Chex Mix Recipe in the microwave in 10 minutes or less! Itโs adapted from the original Chex Party Mix recipe, but I use more butter and I think itโs 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 Iโm all grown up and making Chex Mix on my own, weโre 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 youโre done. Prep this recipe for after-school snacking and your kids will think youโre a hero.
Table of Contents
Chex Party Mix 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.
- Chex: Iโm leaving out the Wheat Chex because I donโt love them. Youโll wantย aboutย 8 or 9 cups of cereal total, however you mix it. Crispix cereal is a good substitute.
- Butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Seasoned salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Nuts:ย 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:ย Pretzels, yes obviously. I love the garlic rye chips like the ones Gardettoโs makes. Crunchy little Melba toast is good too. Sometimes I break them up (good for smaller children) and sometimes I donโt. Bagel chips also work. You can also try Cheerios, goldfish crackers, whatever!
How to make Homemade Chex Mix
- 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.
Homemade Chex Mix Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes about 12 cups of cereal (or more), enough for 24 servings, ยฝ 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 ยฝ 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.
Chex Mix FAQs
Rice Chex and Corn Chex are naturally gluten-free, so youโre good there. (One reader shared Crispix may cause issues for folks with gluten sensitivities or Celiacโs 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.
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.
Homemade Chex Mix is cheaper AND better tasting than anything you can buy at the store.
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
Ingredientsย
- 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
Instructionsย
- 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: Iโm leaving out the Wheat Chex because I donโt love them. Youโll want about 8 or 9 c. of cereal total, however you mix it. Crispix cereal is a good substitute.
- Nuts:ย 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:ย Pretzels, yes obviously. I love the garlic rye chips like the ones Gardettoโs makes. Crunchy little Melba toast is good too. Sometimes I break them up (good for smaller children) and sometimes I donโt. Bagel chips also work. You can also try Cheerios, goldfish crackers, whatever!
- Yield: This recipe makes about 12 c. of cereal (or more), enough for 24 servings, ยฝ c. 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.
What kind of โseasoned salt?โ Not sure what this is and what brand to use? Thank you.
Hi Kim, I prefer the Lawryโs brand of seasoned salt. Itโs an all-purpose spice blend. You can buy it or make it yourself, I have a recipe for it here if you would like to read more about it: https://cash-surge.live/lawrys-seasoned-salt-recipe/%3C/a%3E. I hope you love this Chex Mix recipe. Take care! โ Meggan
Crispex contains malt which could cause problems for some gluten sensitive or peolpe with Celiac. I have read that Natureโs Path has a very crispy โOโ cereal that I want to try next.
Hi Jbt, thank you for sharing! Iโm going to include your note about Crispex in the FAQs to make sure other readers have this information. Thank you again! โ Meggan