Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (2024)

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Forget bland, boring snacks – this Chex Mix recipe is a bold, flavorful explosion in every bite, with a crunchy-salty flavor and texture. Grab a bowl, and get ready to rediscover the joy of a snack that's both classic and crazy-good. It'll keep you coming back for seconds (and thirds). This is a huge, delicious batch with lots to share!

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (1)

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Whatever you call it, the Bits & Bites, Nuts & Bolts or Chex mix, or whatever name you use, it's so good! It is so good! The the beautiful thing about this recipe is that it's versatile. You can adapt it. You season it for your family. I'll give you the ingredients and variations I have used. This is a big batch. It gets better as it ages for a couple of days. I love the big batch because I always give some away. And the bits & bites (aka Chex Mix or Nuts an Bolts) are always appreciated!

If you love these snacks, look at my easy seasoned pretzel recipe. The pretzels are seasoned with garlic and ranch mix! Yum. If you are looking for a sweet snack, try this delicious puppy chow!

Table of contents

  • Why I love this recipe
  • Ingredients
    • The cereal mixture
    • The seasoning mixture
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • FAQs
  • Delicious treats

Why I love this recipe

I love the flavor and the texture of this snack mix. It's deliciously salty and crunchy! Somehow, this recipe became a holiday tradition in my family about 20 years ago when my kids were little.

It seems to get better over time! Let it sit for a couple of days if you can, and then the flavor will be even better!

This recipe is good enough for gift-giving. I have given it to friends, neighbors, teachers and hosts over the years. It has always been enjoyed and appreciated by others!

Ingredients

The cereal mixture

  • Two boxes of Chex mix - one wheat and one corn. I have substituted Crispex cereal and that worked well too! It had one side corn and the other side wheat.
  • A large box of Cheerios. For this recipe I use the regular brand name Cheerios. Use the brand that your family regularly eats.
  • A pound of co*cktail peanuts. The salty ones!
  • Pretzels - a pound of either the small traditional ones or the small sticks.

Other items you can add or substitute into this mixture would be cheese puffs, cheese crackers, rye chips, goldfish crackers, bagel chips, and/or whole wheat Chex cereal.

The seasoning mixture

  • One cup of butter (2 sticks)
  • light-tasting vegetable or canola oil (not olive oil)
  • Celery Salt (Onion salt can be substituted)
  • Garlic Salt
  • Seasoned salt (I like Lawry's)
  • Worcester sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250º Fahrenheit.

Step 1
Get the biggest roasting pan you own. Or two of them. Or buy a couple of foil roasting pans. As I mentioned earlier, this makes LOTS!

Mix all the cereal, peanuts, and pretzels together. These Chex mix Bits and Bites are meant to be shared! It makes lots but stores well.

Step 2
In a saucepan, melt the butter. Easy on the heat; you don't want to scorch it. Add the oil.

Add all your seasonings and Worcester sauce to the oil mixture. Keep the heat low and keep stirring for about 5 minutes. The seasonings won't all dissolve. You are doing this so the butter/oil mixture will become flavored with the seasonings.

Step 4
Take off the heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Then, take a large serving spoon, stir your mixture of goodness, and make sure you grab some of the seasonings at the bottom of the oil & seasoning mixture.

Step 4
Drizzle over the top of the cereal mixture. Continue until you have used about ⅓ of your oil mixture. Mix well. Add another ⅓ of the oil mixture, then mix well again. Repeat once more

Step 6
Place it into your preheated oven. After 15 minutes, stir the mixture well. After an hour in the oven at 250ºF, turn the oven off and leave the mixture in the oven. Leave it for at least 2 hours or overnight. Give it a good stir every few hours unless you are leaving it overnight.

Storage

1. Use that big metal popcorn container you kept from last year.
2. Any large food container.
3. Gallon sized closable plastic bags (like Ziplock)

I put mine in batches into gallon-sized closable plastic bags. Even if you put your bits and bites in a large container, I recommend plastic zip-type bags. It just helps keep the flavors in and prevents staleness. If you keep them sealed, they will last about a week. If you can store your snacks in a cooler area, I have kept mine for up to 2 weeks.

FAQs

This is a BIG batch. Can I cut it in half?

Sure, you can do that! I just don't like the partial boxes of cereal left over.

Can I just melt the butter in the microwave?

Yes, you can. Just make sure to heat once more once everything is mixed and let it sit for a few minutes to cool, prior to drizzling onto the cereal mixture.

Can I substitute something for the 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce?

I never have and I wouldn't make this recipe without it.

Delicious treats

  • Easy Puppy Chow Recipe
  • Peanut Butter Cookies - 3 Ingredients
  • Easy Seasoned Pretzels

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (15)

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe

Forget bland, boring snacks – this Chex Mix recipe is a bold, flavorful explosion in every bite, with a crunchy-salty flavor and texture. Grab a bowl, and get ready to rediscover the joy of a snack that's both classic and crazy-good. It'll keep you coming back for seconds (and thirds). This is a huge, delicious batch with lots to share!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Roasting and cooling time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 servings

Calories: 352Kcal

Author: Susan Moncrieff

Equipment

  • 1 Large Roasting pan that will hold 3 boxes worth of cereal.

Ingredients

Cereal and Snack Mix

  • 1 box Chex cereal - wheat
  • 1 box Chex cereal - corn
  • 1 box Cheerios Large box
  • 1 lb co*cktail peanuts
  • 1 lb pretzels the smaller twist ones or the sticks

The Seasoning Mix

  • ½ lb butter two sticks
  • ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt can substitute onion salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tbsp seasoned salt I like Lawry's
  • 5 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250℉

  • I use a large roasting pan to mix and heat. Or, foil pans are also an option.

  • Mix all ingredients under the label of Cereal and Snack Mixture.

  • In a saucepan, melt butter. Add oil. Then add all the ingredients under Seasonings. Heat on low for 5 minutes, stirring often.

    Not all of the seasonings will dissolve into the butter and oil mixture.

  • Cool for 5 minutes then using a large spoon, drizzle oil and seasoned mixture over cereal mixture. I usually do ⅓ of the oil and seasoning mixture, mix well into the cereal mixture and repeat two more times.

  • Place in the 250℉ oven for 1 hour, mixing every 15 minutes.

    Turn off oven and leave mixture in oven for 2 or so hours, stirring occasionally. I leave it in the oven overnight to cool!

  • Once cooled to room temperature, package in gallon-sized zip-closing bags. Or, if you have large food storage containers that close, that works too!

Notes

Storage

1. Use that big metal popcorn container you kept from last year.
2. Any large food container.
3. Gallon sized closable plastic bags (like Ziplock)

I put mine in batches into gallon-sized closable plastic bags. Even if you put your bits and bites in a large container, I recommend plastic zip-type bags. It just helps keep the flavors in and prevents staleness. If you keep them sealed, they will last about a week. If you can store your snacks in a cooler area, I have kept mine for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition information is an estimate only provided as a courtesy using an ingredient database. Garnish and optional ingredients are not included in the calculations.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 352Kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 1555mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

Originally published Dec. 13, 2014 - yes, a long time ago!

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

What is the Chex Mix seasoning made of? ›

The official Chex Mix recipe calls for 1½ tablespoons seasoned salt, ¾ teaspoons garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.

How do you keep homemade 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.

How long does homemade Chex Mix last? ›

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.

Is Chex Mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

It's only fattening if you eat enough of it that you go over your daily calories burned. One day of overeating is not going to harm you. It's high in carbs and fat, and salt, with some protein - it's actually not a terrible snack, but not something I'd choose to eat every day either.

Is Chex Mix healthy or not? ›

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 makes 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 my Chex Mix soggy? ›

Why is my homemade Chex mix soggy? If you added too much butter or Worcestershire sauce this could be the reason, but the mostly likely reason is that you poured too much of the butter seasoning mixture over just one portion of the mix. You can try to bake it a little longer in hopes that it will dry out.

What can you substitute for Worcestershire sauce in Chex Mix? ›

9 Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes That Get the Job Done
  • DIY Worcestershire Sauce Blend.
  • Reduced Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Soy Sauce.
  • Miso Paste.
  • Oyster Sauce.
  • Anchovy Paste.
  • Red Wine.
  • A1 Steak Sauce.
Jun 20, 2023

What are the brown toast things in Chex Mix? ›

The brown, round things you are referring to in Chex Mix are known as "Wheat Chex." Wheat Chex is a type of cereal made from whole wheat, and it is a common ingredient in various Chex Mix varieties.

What is the original Chex Mix flavor? ›

Substitution: The original recipe includes Corn Chex™, Rice Chex™ and Wheat Chex™. You can mix and match to suit your taste—just use a total of 9 cups of cereal.

Can you overcook Chex Mix? ›

Most snack mixes are cooked with relatively low heat, making it seemingly impossible to overcook. In fact, the fragile flavorings will burn before the cereal will ever appear overcooked, making for a less-than-delicious-tasting finished mix.

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.

Does homemade Chex mix go bad? ›

Typically, homemade Chex Mix will stay fresh for several weeks, while store-bought varieties may last even longer due to preservatives. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the freshness and crispness of Chex Mix.

Who invented Chex mix? ›

The recipe was created by the Ralston-Purina Company in the early 1950s to move boxes of its signature cereals Wheat Chex and Rice Chex. There was no corn variety at the time. Since then, the company has gone through a handful of ownership changes and today is part of General Mills.

Are homemade snacks cheaper? ›

Making homemade snacks is almost always cheaper, healthier and better for the environment because there are no packets. We have great ideas and recipes here, but sometimes you just need a grab-and-go snack!

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.

Is Chex Mix healthier than chips? ›

Chex Mix is a healthier alternative if you eat potato chips as a snack. Chips have a lot of oil, carbs, and salts. Eating a lot of chips in one go is also not great for you in terms of health. You're not getting any protein or fiber, and thus, you're very far away from a balanced diet.

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. It's easier, it feeds more people, and you don't have an awkward amount of cereal left over.

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