Oven-Baked Chex Mix (Delicious Homemade Party Mix)

In this post I’m going to share a delicious and easy recipe for a savory snack–Oven-Baked Chex Mix. No doubt you grew up eating this easy and affordable treat. Now you can make it from scratch!

You know it’s Christmas when the Chex Mix comes out!

I don’t know about you but when I think of the holidays, I think of all sorts of snacks. Mostly, of course, I think about sweets. My mama was always the baker in our family and she made delicious Christmas candies–Turtles, Divinity, and English Toffee, just to name a few.

I made all of those things today, in anticipation of incoming Christmas guests. But I knew that we would need some savory snacks, too, so I decided to make a jumbo serving of Chex Mix.

This is a classic favorite that is good year-round, not just during the holidays. But it seems to hold a special place in my heart at Christmastime because my mom always made it from scratch.

I can still remember the scent of that Worchestershire sauce emanating throughout the house on Chex Mix baking day. And that garlic, onion powder and seasoning salt? Yum!

Why Should I Make Chex Mix from Scratch?

I know, I know. . .this is a favorite snack for millions of people. And you can easily buy it in the store already made. But I can assure you, you’re really missing out if you don’t try the homemade version. It’s not just the scent–though the spicy aroma will make you swoon.

It’s that moment of bliss when you taste those bagel chips, Chex cereals, pretzels, and so on, warm and toasty from the oven.

Best of all, this treat is affordable and easy to make.

So, what’s keeping you? Let’s dive in!

Chex Mix Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. For now, here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need:

• Chex cereal (whichever flavors you enjoy)
• mini pretzel twists
• dry roasted peanuts
• bagel bites (rye chips)
• butter (salted or unsalted butter, your choice)
• Worchestershire sauce
• onion powder
• garlic powder (or garlic salt)
• seasoning salt

How to Make This Easy Treat

I made this after a long day of being on my feet. In fact, it was Item #12 on my baking list for the day. As I mentioned above, I made a lot of sweet treats, including my Mama’s famous Peanut Brittle and some delicious Maple Fudge.

I was absolutely wiped out, as you might imagine, and not in the mood to bake one more thing. But when I saw how easily this came together, I felt like doing a happy dance! (Only, my feet were killing me!) This is a simple process, one you’re sure to enjoy.

Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

You’ll need a big bowl or large roasting pan. Add cereal, pretzel twists, bagel bites, and peanuts. Mix well then set aside. (I used corn Chex and rice Chex but you can use any combination you choose.) You can mix cereals and other goodies with a large spoon or by hand. (It’s kind of fun to get your hands dirty on this one!)

In a small bowl, microwave butter. After you melt butter, add all of the seasonings, along with the Worchestershire sauce. Mix well.

Pour half of the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir well. Add the rest of the seasoning mixture and stir again.

Prepare two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Divide the Chex Mix (single layer) onto both of the trays and place them in preheated 250 degree oven for 20 minutes. If you used a roasting pan you can always bake the mixture in that.

At the 20-minute mark stir cereal mixture than swap trays on oven racks. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. You’ll find that baking at a low temperature will give you a crisp, savory outcome! And the bake will ensure savory snacks in the end!

Remove from oven and place pans on wire racks to cool. You’ll be tempted to nibble. (It’s good warm, for sure!) Just don’t burn yourself!

Once the Chex Mix has cooled to room temperature, place in an airtight container. It’s best within the first few days but Chex Mix will keep up to two weeks if it’s kept in a ziplock bag or bowl with fitted top. You can even freeze Chex Mix in freezer bags up to two months.

What to Expect from this Original Chex Mix Recipe

First of all. . .yum! I’ve been so busy posting recipes for sweet treats that I almost forgot to add a savory category to this blog! (I remedied that tonight!) This treat made my mouth water!

I love the baked goodness of the cereal and bagel bites. Putting them in the oven serves two purposes: it adheres the seasoning to the pieces and it always adds an extra layer of crispness.

In a word, these are delectable. I can’t imagine eating Chex Mix from a bag, now that I see how simple it is to make these. (And I have a ton of cereal, pretzels, and peanuts left over. Score!)

I plan to make these again and again, and not just at Christmas time. They’re great for family gatherings, road trips, and everything in-between!

Questions People are Asking at Homemade Chex Mix

What is Worchestershire Sauce?

According to The Spruce Eats: Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment made from a base of vinegar and flavored with anchovies, molasses, tamarind, onion, garlic, and other seasonings. The flavor is savory and sweet with a distinct tang provided by the vinegar. 

Why is this snack called party mix?

I don’t have an official answer for that but I know that when I was younger, anyone who was anyone served Chex Mix at their parties. It was considered posh back in the day. (No kidding!) Then again, we also ate things like Spaghetti-O Jello (in a mold) and bacon-wrapped hot dogs. So, what did we know?

No matter what you call Chex Mix, it’s the perfect treat. And it’s incredibly addictive! Once you start eating it, it’s hard to stop!

Is Chex Mix a Healthy Snack?

While this family favorite is high in sodium, there are some surprising health benefits to some of the ingredients. According to Isitbadforyou: Chex Mix does provide 4% of the daily value for potassium, a fair amount which helps to mitigate the negative effects of excess sodium levels in the bloodstream, such as hypertension.  A 2 oz. serving of Chex Mix is also excellent as a source of fiber, providing 13% of the daily recommended amount.  Having an adequate amount of fiber in your diet helps you to maintain good digestive health, while reducing cholesterol levels and lowering the risks of colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease.

What is the benefit of adding bagel chips?

They absorb the flavors beautifully due to their porous texture. (They’re my favorite part of Chex Mix!)

Does it matter what flavor of Chex Mix cereal I use?

Nope. You’ll want to have a total of 8 – 9 cups of cereal total, but you can use any combination you choose. I chose corn and rice because that’s what I found at my local grocery store. The original Chex recipe also calls for wheat Chex cereal, but I definitely don’t think it’s necessary to use so many.

(Hey, you can’t blame the Chex company! It’s their job to sell cereal, after all. And Chex mix cereals are pretty great, just by themselves.) But, remember, you’ll have a l-o-t of cereal left over, so buying a third box will be a waste unless you plan on making a lot more Chex Mix down the line.

Can I use off brand cereal?

Absolutely! This is one recipe where it truly doesn’t matter because the cereal is baked to a nice, crisp level.

What Other Ingredients Can I Add to my Party Mix?

You can add cheese crackers if you like. These are a perfect addition. Or, you can add oyster crackers. Yum! You can also add garlic chips in place of bagel chips, if you so choose. No matter what you pick, you’ll see that this is the perfect snack, and not just during the Christmas holidays!

Is it Possible to Over Cook Chex Mix?

Yes, you’ll want to keep your oven at 250 degrees and check your mix at the halfway point (20 minutes in). Stir well so that you don’t end up burning any of the pieces.

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That’s it for this post, folks. I hope you enjoy this great snack mix! (I don’t know about you but I just love crunchy snacks!)

See this recipe at:

• Full Plate Thursday 
• Weekend Potluck
• Busy Monday

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.

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