- Oven-baked Chex Mix offers unmatched crunchy, buttery flavor and nostalgia—better than store-bought.
- Bake low and slow (250°F), stir every 15 minutes, and cool completely for lasting crunch.
- Highly customizable—add cayenne, cheese, sweets, or swap ingredients for allergies or holidays.
- Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks; refresh at 250°F for 10 minutes if needed.
When it comes to snack foods, nothing beats a warm, crunchy, flavor-packed bite of Oven Chex Mix Recipe straight from the oven. I grew up with big bowls of this classic snack at family gatherings, and to this day, it still feels like the ultimate comfort snack. It’s salty, crispy, and loaded with bold, buttery seasoning that keeps everyone coming back for “just one more handful.”
This recipe has become my go-to for everything from casual movie nights to big holiday parties. What makes it so special is how easy it is to customize, whether you like it extra garlicky, a little spicy, or with a mix of your favorite nuts and crackers, it always turns out delicious. Plus, baking it low and slow in the oven gives every bite that irresistible crunch you just can’t get from the store-bought bags.
If you’re looking for a snack that’s perfect for sharing (or maybe not sharing at all), this Oven Chex Mix Recipe will become your new favorite. It’s easy, nostalgic, and full of flavor, exactly the kind of recipe that never goes out of style.
Table of contents
- How To Make It
- Why This Recipe Works (The Snack That Never Lets You Down)
- What to Prep Ahead (So Snack Time Is a Breeze)
- Your Chex Mix Game-Changer Guide
- Mix It Up, Literally
- Serving Suggestions: Snack Time, Elevated
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- FAQ: Snack Time, Elevated
- Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Snack Tradition
How To Make It
Oven-Baked Chex Mix Recipe
12
servings10
minutes1
hour190
kcalA savory, crunchy, and addictive snack baked low and slow in the oven until golden. Perfect for holidays, parties, or just everyday snacking.
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Ingredients
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup mini pretzels
1 cup bagel chips, broken into bite-sized pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1.5 teaspoons seasoned salt
0.75 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
Directions
- Start by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. In a big mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, mixed nuts, pretzels, and bagel chips. Toss everything gently so it’s evenly mixed.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. This mixture is what gives Chex Mix that signature bold, savory flavor.
- Slowly pour the butter mixture over your cereal mixture while stirring. Take your time here, coating everything evenly makes a huge difference.
- Spread the coated mix onto your prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 1 hour, making sure to stir every 15 minutes so all sides get toasted evenly.
- Once it’s out of the oven, let cool completely. It will crisp up even more as it cools. Store in an airtight container, and it’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Stirring every 15 minutes is key, this prevents burning and ensures maximum crunch.
- If you like it spicy, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the butter mixture.
- Don’t skip the cooling step, it helps lock in the crunch.
- Swap the nuts for sunflower seeds or extra pretzels to make it nut-free.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 12
- Calories: 190kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 4g
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Why This Recipe Works (The Snack That Never Lets You Down)
You know how some recipes just stick with you forever? This Oven Chex Mix Recipe is exactly that. It’s nostalgic, crave-worthy, and honestly one of the easiest snacks you’ll ever make. Here’s why it always comes out amazing:
- Slow Oven Magic: Baking low and slow at 250°F means everything toasts evenly without burning.
- That Signature Flavor Bomb: The buttery Worcestershire sauce mixture clings to every nook and cranny of the cereal, pretzels, and bagel chips.
- Crunch That Lasts: Once it cools, it locks in that addictive crunch that keeps you reaching for another handful.
- Make It Your Own: Want more spice? Add cayenne. Need nut-free? Swap in extra pretzels. It’s as customizable as something like this shrimp bowl recipe, you can tweak it to fit your mood or the crowd you’re feeding.
- Always a Crowd Favorite: Whether it’s a holiday party, game day, or just a chill movie night, it disappears fast.
It’s one of those timeless recipes, just like a batch of banana bread made with cake mix. Simple, reliable, and downright comforting.
The recipe works so well thanks to the different textures of the Chex cereal brand itself.
What to Prep Ahead (So Snack Time Is a Breeze)
The beauty of Chex Mix is that it doesn’t take much to throw together, but a little prep goes a long way. Here’s how you can make it even easier on yourself:
- Measure the cereals, pretzels, and nuts ahead of time and stash them in a big container or zip-top bag. When you’re ready, just dump them in the bowl.
- Melt your butter early and let it cool slightly, perfect for whisking with the seasonings later.
- Mix your dry seasonings together (seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder) and keep them in a tiny jar, like you’d do for the spices in these spice cake mix pumpkin cookies.
- Line your baking sheet in advance so you don’t have to fuss with cleanup later.
This is the kind of recipe that fits right into a busy lifestyle. I love making it on Sunday, right alongside a batch of protein balls or cottage cheese pancakes. That way, I’ve got snacks ready for the whole week.
Your Chex Mix Game-Changer Guide
Okay, here’s the deal, making Chex Mix isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tricks that turn a “pretty good” batch into an “oh my gosh, this is amazing” one. Think of these as little chef secrets I’ve learned over time:
- Go Slow with the Butter Mix: Don’t dump it all at once, drizzle it gradually while stirring so every piece gets coated.
- Stir Religiously: Every 15 minutes may sound like overkill, but trust me, it makes the difference between perfectly even crunch and sad, soggy spots.
- Use a Big Bowl: Mixing in a too-small bowl is a rookie mistake, it leads to clumps of over-seasoned pieces and under-flavored ones.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to snack right away (I know it’s hard). Cooling ensures everything crisps up the way it should.
- Make Extra: Seriously. A single batch disappears faster than you’d believe.
Curious about pretzel nutrition? Here’s a breakdown that might surprise you.
Mix It Up, Literally
One of the reasons I love this Oven Chex Mix Recipe is how flexible it is. You can change the flavor profile just by swapping a few ingredients or spices. Here are some of my favorite variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the butter mixture. It gives the mix a little heat without overwhelming the classic flavor.
- Cheesy Twist: Toss in ½ cup of cheese crackers or sprinkle a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan right after baking. It adds a savory, cheesy punch.
- Sweet & Salty: Mix in a handful of chocolate candies (like M&Ms) after cooling. The contrast of sweet chocolate with the salty, crunchy mix is addicting. For a sweet variation, you might love Puppy Chow snack, which swaps savory seasoning for chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar.
- Nut-Free Crunch: Skip the nuts and replace them with extra pretzels or mini breadsticks. Perfect if you’re serving a group with allergies.
- Holiday Blend: Add festive-colored candies or swap in seasonal spices like cinnamon or smoked paprika. This is my go-to for holiday snack tables.
The best part? Each variation keeps that oven-baked crunch we all love, but gives it a whole new personality.
Serving Suggestions: Snack Time, Elevated
Chex Mix may be casual at heart, but that doesn’t mean you can’t serve it in fun, creative ways. I love setting it out in a big bowl when friends are over, but here are some other ideas to make it shine:
- Game Day Favorite: Serve it in paper cups or small snack bowls so everyone gets their own portion, no fighting over the “good pieces.”
- Holiday Parties: Dress it up in a big glass jar or festive serving dish, it looks just as good as it tastes.
- Movie Night: Scoop it into brown paper bags for that cozy, theater-style vibe at home.
- On-the-Go Snack Packs: Divide into small resealable bags for quick snacks during the week or road trips.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Reheating: If it starts to lose crispness, bake at 250°F for 10 minutes to refresh.
FAQ: Snack Time, Elevated
Yes, but the oven really gives you that deep, toasty flavor and extra crunch. If you’re short on time, you can microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring well each time, for a total of about 5-6 minutes. Just know the texture won’t be quite the same.
Two main culprits: either it wasn’t baked long enough, or it wasn’t cooled completely before storing. Make sure to stir every 15 minutes during baking and let it cool 100% before sealing it in a container.
Absolutely! Swap the Wheat Chex for extra Corn or Rice Chex, use gluten-free pretzels, and check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free. It tastes just as delicious.
If stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks. I don’t recommend refrigerating it since moisture can soften the mix.
Yes! Just use two baking sheets so the mix spreads out evenly. Rotate the pans halfway through baking to make sure everything toasts perfectly.
A pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce in the butter mixture will do the trick. For a smoky heat, try adding smoked paprika, it’s subtle but so good.
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. The cereal loses its crunch once thawed. You’ll get the best texture by enjoying it fresh or within the 2-week storage window.
Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Snack Tradition
There’s just something comforting about a big bowl of homemade Chex Mix fresh from the oven. It’s crunchy, buttery, and packed with flavor, the kind of classic party snack that never goes out of style. Whether you’re making it for the holidays, game day, or simply to keep on hand for the week, this recipe always delivers.
Once you’ve tried it from scratch, you’ll see why this oven-baked version is so much better than store-bought. Make a batch, share it (or maybe don’t), and watch it become a tradition in your kitchen too.
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