Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe - with Pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Chex Cereal! (2024)

by Jennifer Debth

27 Comments

5 from 4 votes

ThisSlow Cooker Chex Mixis easy to make and so addicting! A homemade version of a classic snack made with chex, crackers, and pretzels tossed in a tangy, slightly spicy sauce.

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  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Step-by-step video
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to prevent sogginess
  • Why did my chex mix burn?
  • How to bake
  • Variations
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

When I tell you this slow cooker chex mix is addicting, I mean, I personally polished off half a sheet pan before it had even finished cooling.

Ingredients

This snack mix is even better than store-bought chex mix and *almost* as easy as ripping open a bag.

  • Unsalted Butter– adds a rich, creamy, buttery flavor to the mix. Unsalted butter is definitely preferred in this recipe to avoid being overly salted.
  • Worcestershire Sauce– gives that classic salty, tangy, bold chex mix flavor.
  • Spices: Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix, Garlic Powder, and Chili Powder – ranch seasoning mix adds a creamy, herby, tangy flavor, garlic powder adds a nutty, earthiness, and the chili powder adds just a touch of smoky spice.
  • Chex Cereal– feel free to use rice chex, corn chex, or a combination of the two. Wheat chex may also be used.
  • Pretzels– salted, mini twisted pretzels provide the best flavor and texture, but any pretzel will be fine in a pinch.
  • Cheese Crackers – use Cheez-Its original to keep it classic, but play around with other flavors, if preferred, such as white cheddar, hot & spicy, etc.

How to make

Just few simple steps required to make this crockpot chex mix!

  1. Whisk together butter, worcestershire, ranch, garlic powder, and chili powder in a medium sized bowl.
  2. Place cereal, pretzels, and Cheeze-Its into a 6 quart crockpot, then toss with the sauce until evenly coated.
  3. Cover and cook on LOWfor 2-2.5 hours, stirring gently ever 30 minutes.
  4. Spread the chex mix onto a rimmed baking sheet to cool before serving.

Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe - with Pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Chex Cereal! (2)

How do you keep chex mix from getting soggy?

The key to avoiding soggy chex mix is to place a thin towel over the top of the crockpot before putting the lid on. This helps catch the condensation that forms on the lid as the chex mix cooks.

Be sure to also cool the chex completely before storing it in a sealed airtight container.

Why did my chex mix burn?

To prevent your chex mix from burning, make sure you’re stirring every 30 minutes throughout the 2 1/2 hour cook time. This re-distributes the mix-ins so the ones are the bottom aren’t cooking faster than those in the middle or on the top.

Pro tip

Make sure you stir gently so as not to break the chex cereal!

Can you bake slow cooker chex mix?

If you’re short on time, chex mix can be baked on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone mat at 250ºF for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe - with Pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Chex Cereal! (3)

Variations

  • Use other mix-ins.Try rye chips, mixed nuts, oyster crackers, bagel chips, or other cereal.
  • Spice it up.Add a few drops of hot sauce or a few shakes of cayenne to the sauce for a kick of heat.

How to store

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

– Jennifer

Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe - with Pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Chex Cereal! (4)

Slow Cooker Chex Mix

5 from 4 votes

ThisSlow Cooker Chex Mixis easy to make and so addicting! A homemade version of a classic snack made with chex, crackers, and pretzels tossed in a tangy, slightly spicy sauce.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Yield: 24 people

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Equipment for this recipe

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (1 oz) packet ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 (12 oz) box Chex cereal (I've used rice and corn)
  • 2 cups pretzels
  • 2 cups Cheez-Its

Recipe Video

Instructions

  • Whisk together melted butter, worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and chili powder in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.

  • Stir together Chex, pretzels, and Cheez-Its in a 6 quart crockpot, drizzle with the sauce, then gently stir until the sauce has evenly coated the mix-ins.

  • Place a thin dish towel over the crockpot, place on the lid, then cook on LOW for 2 - 2.5 hours, gently stirring every 30 minutes.

  • Pour the cooked chex mix onto a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer and let cool to room temperature.

  • Serve immediately* or store in a sealed container.

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

Rate This Recipe

STORING

Room Temp:2 Weeks

Refrigerator:N/A

Freezer:3 Months

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

*Although this is great the day of, I think this actually tastes best after it's had about a day to sit...the flavors really have a chance to develop!

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Chex Mix

Amount Per Serving (1 handful)

Calories 122 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 328mg14%

Potassium 92mg3%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 180IU4%

Vitamin C 2.2mg3%

Calcium 42mg4%

Iron 5.1mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: crockpot snack mix, football food, salty snack, slow cooker snack, snack mix

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Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Slow Cooker Chex Mix Recipe - with Pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Chex Cereal! (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep Chex mix from getting soggy? ›

The best tip for avoiding the sogginess is the make sure to stir up the mixture well each 15 minutes as it bakes. This will allow the chex mix to cook evenly and allow all pieces to get baked and crispy. After baking, make sure to store in a airtight container or Ziploc.

Is Chex mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

Is Chex mix a healthy snack. In terms of snacks, this one certainly isn't the worst. On the other hand, if you've got high blood pressure, you definitely need to be careful of mindlessly eating it. In just a half cup, traditional Chex mix has 250 mg of sodium.

Is Chex cereal the same as Chex mix? ›

Chex Mix (stylized as Chex mix) is a type of snack mix that includes Chex breakfast cereal (sold by General Mills) as a major component.

Is it cheaper to buy Chex mix or make your own? ›

Homemade Chex Mix Is Cheaper AND More Delicious Than The Store-Bought Stuff. Chex Mix offers variety: the crisp cereal, toasty pretzels, the unique crunch of the bagel chips. This homemade recipe puts the store-bought to shame.

Why is my homemade Chex Mix soggy? ›

Using too much liquid. Don't go over the recipe's suggested liquid amounts; that is a sure way to get soggy mix (which, again, nobody wants). Follow this tip: If you need to make a change in liquid ingredients, just keep the amount the same.

How long does Chex Mix last after you make it? ›

Store in freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Serve immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. Other Mix-in's and Variations: Substitute your favorite mix-in's in a ratio of 1:1 for the mix ins in this recipe.

Is Chex Mix bad for your heart? ›

It is an excellent source of sodium as brands add an adequate quantity of salt. Excessive intake of chex mix increases sodium content in your diet, which alters your blood pressure and might affect your heart health.

Is Chex Mix okay for weight loss? ›

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.

What is the healthiest part of Chex Mix? ›

The healthiest flavor of Chex mix is the original flavor, which contains only corn, wheat, and rice Chex. The other flavors, such as the cheddar cheese flavor and the ranch flavor, contain additional ingredients, such as cheese powder and ranch seasoning, which can add extra calories and sodium.

What is the fancy name for Chex Mix? ›

First off this recipe can be found under many names besides Party Mix such as Chex Mix, Nuts and Bolts, TV Mix, or Snack 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. General Mills has five factories in Canada, and that means that they really can't afford to produce their entire product line up here.

What are the brown circles in Chex Mix called? ›

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.

Is homemade Chex Mix better than store bought? ›

Homemade Chex Mix Is Cheaper AND More Delicious Than The Store-Bought Stuff. Chex Mix offers variety: the crisp cereal, toasty pretzels, the unique crunch of the bagel chips. This homemade recipe puts the store-bought to shame.

Why is Chex called Chex? ›

The name "Chex" reflects the square checkerboard logo of Ralston Purina.

What makes Chex Mix so good? ›

Seasoned salt: This old-school seasoning has a blend of onion, garlic, spices, and salt. We like Lawry's for Chex mix. Onion and garlic powders: These give the Chex mix a deeper, more savory taste. Worcestershire sauce: A generous amount of lends a subtle savoriness that rounds all the flavors out.

What is the best way to store Chex Mix? ›

Once cooled, store the Chex Mix in a covered container for up to 10-14 days. A really large Tupperware container works well, and you can also use plastic storage bags to store it. Make sure it stays sealed so the Chex Mix doesn't get stale. You can also gift this savory snack around the holidays.

How do you freshen Chex Mix? ›

If you're looking to breathe new life into the snack, spread it on a baking sheet and heat in the oven at 250°F for about five minutes. It should be as good as new! You can also consider adding the slightly stale variety to your favourite five-minute trail mix recipe for some added texture.

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.

Why is my Chex Mix tasteless? ›

Unfortunately, sometimes people only add a few tablespoons of butter to several cups of mix, resulting in a dry, flavorless mess. For the best Chex Mix, it's recommended to use a stick of butter for every 10 cups of the cereal and cracker mixture.

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