October 11, 2023
Review RecipeRanch Chex Mix
Table of Contents
This cheesy ranch Chex mix is the ultimate blend of salty and savory flavors, with plenty of crunchy goodness to keep you hooked. The perfect party snack, it has all your favorite snacks coated in an addictive ranch seasoning to give it extreme flavor.
Ranch Chex Mix Ingredients
This ranch Chex mix is a delightful mix of crispy wheat and rice Chex cereals, salty pretzels, cheesy crackers, and the rich umami of dry roasted peanuts.
The snack is coated in a luscious blend of melted butter, zesty Worcestershire sauce, and the unmistakable ranch seasoning, finished with a generous dusting of parmesan cheese.
You’ll need:
- 4½ cups of wheat Chex cereal
- 4½ cups of rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups of mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups of pretzel snaps
- 2 cups of cheddar cheese crackers (we used Cheez-Its)
- 2 cups of white cheddar cheese crackers
- 1½ cups of oyster crackers
- 1 cup of dry roasted peanuts
- ⅔ cup of salted sweet cream butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 (1-ounce) packets of dry ranch dressing mix
- ⅔ cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons of dried parsley, divided in half
Substitutions And Additions
CHEX: You can substitute corn Chex for the rice Chex.
Or you can even use three cups each of the wheat, rice, and corn Chex instead of the 4½ cups of just the wheat and rice Chex.
CHEESE CRACKERS: Feel free to experiment with different cheese cracker flavors, such as jalapeño cheddar or even gouda-flavored crackers, for a unique twist.
OYSTER CRACKERS: If you don’t have oyster crackers on hand, you can replace them with mini saltine crackers or even mini cheese crackers for added flavor.
NUTS: You can substitute mixed party nuts for dry roasted peanuts in this Chex ranch mix.
ADD-INS: There are plenty of different mix-ins you can add to this simple snack. Tasty substitutions include Cheerios, bagel chips, corn nuts, or goldfish crackers.
RANCH MIX: Experiment with different dry seasoning mixes to create unique flavor profiles.
Try taco seasoning for a spicy kick or Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist.
PARMESAN CHEESE: Instead of parmesan cheese, you can use grated romano cheese or a blend of parmesan and asiago for a slightly different cheesy depth.
How To Make This Ranch Chex Mix Recipe
Once all the Chex, pretzels, crackers, and nuts are coated in the savory sauce, the mixture gets baked in the oven before being ready to enjoy.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
STEP TWO: Add the Chex cereals, pretzels, cheese crackers, oyster crackers, and peanuts to a 2½-gallon Ziploc bag or an extra-large mixing bowl.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you cannot find the 2½-gallon Ziploc bag, you can use 2-gallon Ziploc bags.
STEP THREE: Add the melted butter and Worcestershire sauce to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
STEP FOUR: Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture.
STEP FIVE: If using the Ziploc bag, zip the bag and shake it to completely coat the cereal mixture. If using the extra-large mixing bowl, stir to coat completely.
PRO TIP:
Don’t overmix when stirring the mix in the bowl; you don’t want to break the Chex cereal.
STEP SIX: Open the Ziploc and sprinkle in the dry ranch seasoning and the parmesan.
Zip the bag closed and shake it to coat everything completely. If using the bowl, sprinkle the ranch mix and parmesan. Stir to coat completely.
STEP SEVEN: Divide the Chex mix evenly between the two prepared baking sheets.
STEP EIGHT: Sprinkle one teaspoon of dried parsley over each pan of Chex mix.
STEP NINE: Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Allow the Chex mix to cool before serving.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your Chex mix as the suggested baking time approaches.
How To Serve
This zesty ranch Chex mix is a great option to serve for movie night or at a party.
Add our buffalo chicken dip and cucumber bites to keep your crowd happy.
Serve Ranch Chex Mix in elegant snack bowls alongside your favorite cocktails, including our screwdriver drink and paralyzer drink.
This Chex mix also makes a great gift during the holidays. Wrap in a cellophane bag with a fancy bow for a homemade gift.
Snack mixes are a great addition to almost any event or just when you are craving something savory.
Our dill pickle Chex mix and pumpkin spice Chex mix are two more versions of this irresistible treat.
MORE SNACK RECIPES
Storage
Whether you’ve made a big batch or just have some leftovers, here’s what you need to know:
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on snack time, you can definitely make ranch Chex mix ahead of when you plan to enjoy it.
Simply prepare the mix following the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
It should stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks. Just be warned, it’s so addictive that it might not last that long!
ON THE COUNTER: Store any leftovers of these crunchy snacks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the cooled savory ranch party mix for up to two months.
Why We Love This Recipe
IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: The zesty ranch seasoning mixed with the savory crunch of Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts creates a flavor explosion that’s hard to resist. It’s a delicious blend of tangy, herby goodness.
EASY TO MAKE: This recipe is incredibly beginner-friendly. With clear step-by-step instructions and readily available ingredients, even novice cooks can whip up a batch with confidence.
LONG LASTING: Ranch Chex mix can be made ahead and stored for quite some time, making it a convenient and tasty option for meal prep or to have on hand for unexpected cravings. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for even longer-lasting enjoyment.
Ranch Chex mix is one of those recipes that’s impossible to resist. It’s salty, savory, and crunchy – everything you could want in a snack. Plus, it’s easy to make, so you can have a batch ready whenever the mood strikes. Trust me, once you try this easy recipe, you’ll be hooked!
Frequently Asked Questions
This Chex party mix is very flexible. Add or omit whichever ingredients you’d like, and it will still be a very tasty treat.
This easy ranch Chex mix recipe can be frozen for up to two months stored in an airtight container.
Homemade Chex ranch mix can be safely stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container on the counter.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Soft Pretzels
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- Pull Apart Pigs in a Blanket
- Homemade Rice Recipe
- Easy Spanish Rice
- Lemon Puppy Chow
- Mexican Corn on the Cob
- Rainbow Popcorn
- Pretzel Hugs
- Puppy Chow Recipe
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad
Ranch Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4½ cups wheat Chex
- 4½ cups rice Chex
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups pretzel snaps
- 2 cups cheddar cheese crackers, we used Cheez-Its
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese crackers
- 1½ cups oyster crackers
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- ⅔ cup salted sweet cream butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ounces dry ranch dressing mix
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley, divided in half
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
- Add the Chex cereals, pretzels, cheese crackers, oyster crackers, and peanuts to a 2½-gallon Ziploc bag or an extra-large mixing bowl.
- Add the melted butter and Worcestershire sauce to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture.
- If using the Ziploc bag, zip the bag and shake to completely coat the cereal mixture. If using the extra-large mixing bowl, stir to coat completely.
- Open the Ziploc and sprinkle in the ranch mix and the parmesan. Zip the bag closed and shake to coat completely. If using the bowl, sprinkle the ranch mix and parmesan. Stir to coat completely.
- Divide the Chex mix evenly between the two prepared baking sheets.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of dried parsley over each pan of Chex mix.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stir and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Allow the Chex mix to cool before serving.
Notes
- If you cannot find the 2½-gallon Ziploc bag, you can use 2-gallon Ziploc bags.
- Don’t overmix when stirring the mix in the bowl; you don’t want to break the Chex cereal.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your Chex mix as the suggested baking time approaches.
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