Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (2024)

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Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (1)

By: Polly Conner

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This Homemade Chex Mix recipe is easy to whip up, makes your home smell ah-maze-ing as it bakes in the oven, and is an addictive snack food that has proven to be a crowd favorite for decades. The recipe comes from my grandma and its secret sauce is the key to its deliciousness.

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (2)


Table of Contents

The History Behind the Family Recipe

I’m almost a little hesitant to share our “TV Mix” recipe.

  • No, not because of its addictive nature and unmatchable flavor.
  • Not because it makes a HUGE batch and is easy to store, give away, or bring to a large group get-together.
  • Nor for the reason that it will make your house smell AMAZING and your mouth water when it’s cooking in the oven. Nope. None of those reasons.

The reason I’m hesitant is because, similar to our Apple Butter, it’s a somewhat secret family recipe that we make EVERY Fall. I guess we’ve never declared it a secret but I don’t know of anyone else who makes this “TV Mix” as we like to call it.

This yummy snack was originally a recipe of my grandma’s. I remember her always having it out and ready at family gatherings. I’m so glad my mom snagged the recipe and perfected it. I even have the original recipe card from her!

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (3)

I love that we can carry on the family tradition of making the TV mix together.

In fact, we recently got together to make a batch. Look how easily it comes together!

Be warned, once you make your own Chex Mix, you’ll never go back to the store bought. Same goes for Homemade Pesto, Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce, and Homemade Granola.

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to make homemade Chex Mix.

Tip – use the extra Chex to make Puppy Chow!

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (4)

Ingredient Notes:

  • You can add just about any kind of munchie to the cereal mixture. Some examples we’ve used in the past are: Crispix, pretzel fish, crushed garlic bagel chips, sesame seed sticks, pine nuts, etc.
  • Ground Savory can be hard to find. You can substitute thyme if you need to. You can easily get it on Amazon as well.

How to Make Homemade Chex Mix

Start by mixing all the dry ingredients together in a large roasting pan.

Next add all of the sauce ingredients to a jar and give it a good shake. Drizzle it over the mix and toss until thoroughly mixed in.

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (5)

Time to bake it! This is the best part because it smells SO dang good once it gets going.

The mix does need to be stirred every 15 minutes, but it will be worth it, I promise. If you don’t stir it, parts of the mix will get burnt.

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How to Store Homemade Chex Mix

Chex Mix is best at room temperature. I like to store mine in jumbo ziplock bags or in a large Tupperware container.

If stored properly, it will be good for 3-4 weeks.

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (7)

FAQs

Can I substitute vegetable oil or butter? I don’t have any corn oil on hand.

Any kind of neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil will work. We haven’t tested it with butter, but I’m afraid it could burn.

What kind of roasting pan do you use?

The roasting pan I recommend for this is a rectangular or oval-shaped, deep, and wide pan with sturdy handles. They are typically 16-18 inches. It’s the same one I use to roast a chicken or turkey.

Can I customize the ingredients?

Yes! You can easily swap out the crunchy ingredients in this recipe. Just don’t mess with the sauce that goes over it.

More Snack Ideas You Might Like

Pizza Quesadillas

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bites

Stovetop Popcorn (with Coconut Oil)

Simple Blender Hummus

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (12)

★★★★★4.8 from 5 reviews

Homemade Chex Mix

This Homemade Chex Mix recipe has been a family hit for years! Throw a batch together for your next large gathering. Your guests won’t be able to get enough!

Yield: 12 cups 1x

Prep: 20 minutesCook: 1 hour 30 minutesTotal: 1 hour 50 mins

Print RecipeRate Pin for Later

Units:

Scale:

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of Cheerios
  • 3 cups of Rice Chex
  • 3 cups of Wheat Chex
  • 3 cups of Corn Chex
  • 3 cups of Kix
  • 1 regular bag of stick pretzels
  • 1 (8 oz.) can mixed nuts
  • 1 (8 oz.) can peanuts
  • 1 or 2 cups cashew halves

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups corn oil (sub: avocado oil)
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground savory (sub: ground thyme)

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Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 250°F.
  2. In a large roasting pan, combine cereals, pretzels, and nuts.
  3. In a mason jar or small bowl, combine oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, onion salt, celery salt, and savory in a mason jar or small mixing bowl. Shake or stir well.
  4. Pour the sauce over mixture and stir well to combine.
  5. Bake for 1 – 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes
  6. Let cool completely before storing.

Notes/Tips

  • I use two wooden spoons to stir the mix. This helps it get thoroughly tossed.
  • You can swap out any of the crunchy ingredients. Just don’t mess with the sauce.
  • Chex Mix stores well in an airtight container. It will be good for 3-4 weeks.
  • It’s fun to use holiday-themed pretzels around the holidays.

© Author: Polly Conner

Cuisine:AmericanMethod:Baked

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (13)

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (14)Deb Aerne says

    So I get online searching for a “TV Mix” recipe similar to what my Aunt Annie used to make…and I run across this one, and it seems to be EXACTLY what I’m looking for! Imagine my delight to realize that I’m on the Thriving Home, and it really is Aunt Annie’s recipe… because my Aunt Annie is Polly’s Grandma that the recipe came from! Don’t you love the way the world works sometimes? And the recipe is still as delicious as I remembered it!

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (15)Polly Conner says

      Hi Deb!!! Love that I can share her recipe with so many others who will enjoy it for years to come. Fun that you stumbled across us! Hugs! -Polly

      Reply

  2. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (16)Donna Waters says

    Love this recipe but can I substitute vegetable oil or butter? I don’t have any corn oil on hand! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (17)Rachel Tiemeyer says

      Any kind of neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil will work. We haven’t tested it with butter, but I’m afraid it could burn.

      Reply

  3. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (18)Cooper says

    Sorry need some clarifying. Is that 3 cups of each individual cereal to total 15 cups? Or just 3 total cups? Have you ever halved the recipe? My daughter and I are making this tomorrow 😁

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (19)Rachel Tiemeyer says

      Thank you for this question. It’s 3 cups of each kind of cereal (so a total of 15 cups). Polly said she has never halved it, but she thinks it wouldn’t cook quite as long. I’ve updated the recipe to make this clearer.

      Reply

  4. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (20)Karen says

    Super fun recipe. It really does make so much! I had to use a couple different pans to fit it all in my oven. #pangoals

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (21)Polly Conner says

      I love hearing this! This recipe is so near and dear to my heart. Thanks for taking the time to rate and review.

      Reply

  5. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (22)Krystal says

    Which pan is it in the photo? I don’t have one that big

    Reply

  6. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (23)Krystal says

    Which roasting pan did you use in the picture? I don’t have one haha and I’m wondering if a disposable one would work here.

    Reply

  7. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (25)Erica says

    My husband’s grandma made this every year at Christmas and now my mother in law does. We have her recipe card in her old script handwriting. I love it! We use butter instead of oil so probably less healthy haha. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (26)Rachel Tiemeyer says

      Butter is always better, right? Ha! Thanks for sharing your story. Food is always better when it’s connected to family.

      Reply

  8. Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (27)Kelly says

    I know this is an old post but I was trying to see if anyone else made the chex mix my family has been making since My mom was a kid. My grandma made this every Christmas\NewYear’s. I have never had any other chex mix like it. We use almost the same ingredients except our nuts are just fancy mix(sometimes I add extra pecans because I love them!) and peanut. We don’t use the celery, onion, or savory salt. Just 2.5 tsp garlic powder, Wsauce, and corn oil. I make sure to buy salted nuts so the mix gets its salt from that. It’s such a good and addicting mix. Everyone loves it! So glad I found another family that makes it!

    Reply

    • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (28)Richard E Golden says

      I make this every year as a snack for the Super Bowl. It is always the hit of the party

      Reply

      • Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (29)Carla from Thriving Home says

        One of my super bowl favs as well! Thanks for the review Richard.

        Reply

Homemade Chex Mix Recipe (Easy & Addictive) - Thriving Home (2024)

FAQs

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

Homemade Chex Mix is cheaper AND better tasting than anything you can buy at the store. Does homemade Chex Mix need to be refrigerated? You can store homemade Chex Mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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.

How do you keep homemade Chex mix from getting soggy? ›

To avoid soggy Chex mix, make sure to toss the ingredients well with the butter mixture and spread out on a large pan. Keeping toasting in the oven and tossing until the Chex mix is well-coated and dry. It will further dry out as it cools.

Is Chex mix a good snack for weight loss? ›

However, in general, Chex Mix tends to be a calorie-dense snack that is relatively high in fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. It's only fattening if you eat enough of it that you go over your daily calories burned.

Is Chex Mix healthy or unhealthy? ›

Chex mix also includes vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, sodium, and many more that are essential for better propagation of health. In general, it is slightly low in protein, and fiber, and high in sodium, which might affect your body if you consume it in high quantities.

How long will homemade Chex Mix last? ›

Make Ahead Instructions: Chex mix tastes freshest when served within 2-3 days of making it, but it will last stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Freezing Instructions: Chex mix freezes great! Store in freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

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.

Why is 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.

What is the least favorite Chex Mix piece? ›

Other than the rye chip, nothing brought more people together than pretzels — combined, 38% marked the circle and square pretzels as the worst pieces.

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.

What is the original Chex Mix flavor? ›

Substitution: The original recipe includes Corn Chex™, Rice Chex™ and Wheat Chex™. You can mix and match to suit your taste—just use a total of 9 cups of cereal.

How do you fix bland Chex Mix? ›

Instead of the spices, the Chex Mix calls for, which have way too much salt, I substitute 2 tablespoons granulated garlic and 2 tablespoons Penzey's Arizona Dreaming, and a few drops of hot sauce.

What is the number one snack for weight loss? ›

Eating fruit helps with weight management because it's packed with filling fiber (and essential vitamins and minerals). Look for dried fruit with no sugar or sweeteners added and pair it with nuts as a snack that offers a balance of healthy carbs and protein—and more staying power.

What is the best snack to lose weight? ›

  1. Mixed nuts. Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack, providing the perfect balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. ...
  2. Red bell pepper with guacamole. ...
  3. Greek yogurt and mixed berries. ...
  4. Apple slices with peanut butter. ...
  5. Cottage cheese and fruit. ...
  6. Celery sticks with cream cheese. ...
  7. Kale chips. ...
  8. Dark chocolate and almonds.
Nov 25, 2021

Can I eat Chex Mix everyday? ›

While it may not be a significant source of vitamins and minerals, it can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. By being mindful of portion sizes and choosing healthier variations or homemade options, you can savor the deliciousness of Chex Mix while maintaining a nutritious eating plan.

Are homemade snacks cheaper? ›

Making homemade snacks is almost always cheaper, healthier and better for the environment because there are no packets. We have great ideas and recipes here, but sometimes you just need a grab-and-go snack!

How many cups of Chex Mix are in a bag? ›

Chex Mix Snack Mix, Traditional, Savory Snack Bag, 8.75 oz

A: There is probably about 3 cups.

Is Chex Mix healthier than chips? ›

Chex Mix is a healthier alternative if you eat potato chips as a snack. Chips have a lot of oil, carbs, and salts. Eating a lot of chips in one go is also not great for you in terms of health. You're not getting any protein or fiber, and thus, you're very far away from a balanced diet.

How much Chex is in a box? ›

One standard-size (12-ounce) box of Rice Chex cereal contains about 11 cups of cereal. Save yourself the hassle of measuring out 9 cups and dump the entire box into your largest bowl. It's easier, it feeds more people, and you don't have an awkward amount of cereal left over.

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