This Ranch Chex Mix is the ultimate party mix or simple snack that can be made right in the microwave! Crunchy, savory, salty, and tangy, this snack mix is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
Everyone loves a good snack mix, and this Ranch Chex Mix is a winner.
Ingredients
Butter and oil: Butter and oil are what you need to make sure the seasoning spreads and coats the snack mix evenly. It also makes it so that the mix is extra crunchy. You can use only one or other, but I like to have a blend of the two.
Worcestershire sauce: This sauce adds an umami flavor, which makes the flavor pop with some boldness.
Dill: Dill is one of the main ingredients and flavors in ranch flavoring and dressing. It’s an absolute must. Dried works best in this snack mix instead of fresh.
Garlic and onion powder: These two flavors are necessary for the ranch and savory flavor of the Chex mix.
Dried chives: Chives add a little extra oniony flavor with a nice burst of green color.
Cayenne pepper: Keeping the cayenne to about ⅛ tsp. works well for most palates, but if you want a little extra kick, you might want to up the cayenne to ¼ tsp.
Chex cereal: I used three different kinds of Chex cereal: rice, wheat, and corn. If you want a gluten-free snack mix, use only rice and/or corn Chex, but you’ll also have to trade out pretzels for a gluten-free version.
Pretzels: You can use salted or unsalted pretzels, depending on your taste desire for salt or if you’re watching your sodium.
Mixed nuts: Feel free to use mixed or your favorite nut by itself. You can’t go wrong here. Use salted or unsalted depending on your preferences.
How to Make Ranch Chex Mix
Chex mix is so easy because it involves merely mixing ingredients together and “cooking” it in the microwave. It doesn’t get much more straightforward.
You’ll need to first melt the butter and oil in the microwave, then add the seasonings. After this, you’ll need to add in the cereal, pretzels, and nuts to evenly coat with the butter, oil, and seasoning mixture. Then you’ll microwave the mixture for about 5-6 minutes, stirring the mixture every 2 minutes or so. Lastly, you’ll need to spread the mixture out on a sheet pan to cool. At this point, you’ll only need to try to refrain from snacking on the mix until it’s cool. Good luck.
Other appetizers or snacks to serve for get-togethers
📖 Recipe
Ranch Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. light-colored oil light olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. dried dill
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. dried chives
- Salt/pepper to taste
- ⅛ tsp. cayenne
- 3 cups rice Chex
- 3 cups wheat Chex
- 3 cups corn Chex
- 1 cup pretzels
- 1 cup mixed nuts
Instructions
- Melt oil and butter in microwave. Add in seasonings.
- Pour butter/oil/seasoning mixture over cereal, pretzels, and mixed nuts in a very large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave uncovered for 5-6 minutes – stirring every 2 minutes.
- Spread out on sheet pan until cool.
M. Job
I have a small microwave, can this be backed in the oven
Melissa
It probably can, but I’ve never tried it that way so I don’t have any concrete suggestions for temperature and time. If I were you – after covering the chex mix with the butter/seasonings – I would divide it into the largest bowl that your microwave could fit and microwave in batches. I would also shorten the time from 5-6 min to 3-5 minutes to account for the smaller volume in the microwave. Even if you had to split into 3-4 batches, it would likely take less time than the oven.