Homemade Chex Mix Recipe

Chex mix is everyone’s favorite snack mix because it is bursting with flavor and is easy to make. Customize it and swap out ingredients to make it different each time. This healthy version is plant-based and completely oil-free!

Traditional Chex mix is made with butter which we don’t eat so, last year I came up with this healthier recipe. It is completely butter-free and oil-free, so it’s much lower in fat and calories.

Chex mix is the ultimate healthy snack because it’s crunchy, salty, easy to store, and perfect for parties, holidays, movie nights, game nights, and even traveling. This healthy, vegan snack is made with cereal, nuts, and savory seasonings, and I’ve included plenty of variations and add-ins to suit everyone’s tastes.

What is Chex mix?

While Chex usually gets the credit for creating Chex mix, it was Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook back in 1950 that first featured the recipe using Kix cereal that was tossed in melted butter and sprinkled with salt and seasonings.

A version of the original Chex mix recipe has been around since 1952 when it first appeared on their cereal boxes, but it has been changed several times over the years.

Many of us grew up eating this made-from-scratch baked snack during the holidays. My childhood memories are filled with making Chex mix with cereal, nuts, pretzels, and crackers during the Christmas holiday season. As an adult, I’ve made it many times throughout the Christmas season for family and friends.

Ingredients in Chex party mix

There are only a few ingredients in the basic Chex mix recipe, but I’ve included a list of additional add-ins below for those who might want to mix it up a bit. These are the basic ingredients.

• Cereal– I use a mixture of corn, rice, and wheat Chex cereals. The wheat seems to be harder to find lately, so I’ve been ordering it from Amazon. Some people even use other cereals like Cheerios.
• Mixed nuts– Though a can of premixed nuts can be used, they are usually cooked in oil and salt so I opt for my favorite raw nuts that include almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, and others.
• Worcestershire sauce– We use vegan brands called Annie’s or Wizard’s because the traditional sauce has anchovies in it.
• Seasonings– Garlic powder, onion powder, and season salt are the traditional seasonings that we use and like best.
• Lemon juice– Substitute lemon juice and water for butter to make this crunchy homemade snack much lower in calories and fat.

Why baking Chex mix in the oven is best

Slow baking in the oven at a low temperature is the secret to creating the best party mix because it creates a crunchy texture that is perfectly toasted. Think low-and-slow when it comes to making Chex mix. Stirring it every 15 minutes throughout the hour-long cooking process will allow it to cook evenly.

How to make oven-baked Chex mix

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F. You can also go ahead and line 2 rimmed baking pans with parchment paper to reduce sticking. Lining the pans is optional, but it sure makes cleanup easier.
2. Place all of the cereals and nuts in a large mixing bowl roomy enough that it can hold everything with plenty of space for mixing.
3. In another small to medium-sized bowl, whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and season salt.
4. Pour the wet seasoning mixture over the cereal and nuts in the large bowl and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Don’t worry if it’s not completely even because you are going to be stirring throughout the cooking process.
5. Pour the mix onto the lined baking sheets in a single layer. You want the pans to have rims because they will be pretty full.
6. Bake in the oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes until lightly golden brown. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. It will crisp up even more as it cools.

Other mix-ins and variations

These are some great substitutions or add-ins to create variety every time you make this party mix.

• Make it spicy– Add 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce to the wet ingredients when mixing.
• Make it sweet– Drizzle in maple syrup, date syrup, or agave nectar when mixing up the wet ingredients.
• Subout cereals– This recipe calls for 3 cups each of rice, corn, and wheat cereal, for a total of 9 cups. Substitute any of the cereals desired–use only one or 2 varieties if desired. Or, even try Cheerios.
• Add-ins– Try adding in raisins, craisins, or pretzels.
• Spices– Other great spice ideas to add would be smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.

Top tips for the best oven-baked Chex

As you are gathering your ingredients and prepping, here are a few tips to set you up for success.

• Seasoning– Don’t skimp on the seasonings because they add so much flavor. Even if you think it sounds like too much, try it the way the recipe is written for the first batch. You can always adjust for the next one.
• Mix the seasoning first– Be sure to mix all the wet and dry seasonings in a separate bowl before pouring the mixture onto the dry cereal and nuts. This ensures that all the pieces of cereal are coated evenly.
• Baking temperature– 250°F is the perfect temperature, so don’t be tempted to turn it up any hotter to speed up the process. It will burn easily and it needs to be a slow, drying bake.
• Stir every 15 minutes– Don’t get busy and forget to stir the mix 4 times during the cooking process. It needs to bake for 1 hour, and stirring must be done every 15 minutes to make sure it bakes evenly.

Make ahead and storage

I make this ahead for parties and get-togethers all the time. It keeps its crunchy texture very well when kept in an airtight container. Most of the time, I use a flat container with a snap-on lid because it travels well and keeps the cereal from getting crushed.

It is easy to store at room temperature in an airtight container or even a ziplock storage bag for up to 10 days. There’s no need to refrigerate.

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

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