This Gluten-Free Chex Mix recipe has all of the original flavor (and crunch) of traditional Chex Mix - but uses all gluten-free ingredients. It's a delicious party mix that the whole family can enjoy!
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As someone who has celiac disease and is also a long time recipe developer, I've been working through some of our family favorite recipes to make them completely gluten-free.
While many recipes I've been making for years are naturally gluten-free, there were many things that I've missed since going off gluten. One of those was homemade Chex party mix.
Since Chex offers several gluten-free varieties, it was actually fairly simply to find a way to make our favorite snack mix work for the whole family.
I'm sharing the recipe with you today, so if you are gluten-free (or love someone who is) you can once again have this crunchy, salty, and crave-able snack.
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- Easy to make. With just 8 simple ingredients and easy step-by-step instructions, this delicious snack mix is perfect for last minute get-togethers.
- Great for special occasions. Whether it's game day, Christmas, or a baby shower, homemade Chex mix recipe is perfect for parties.
- Savory. If you're like me and you crave salty and crunchy foods, you're going to fall in love. Trust me!
- Gluten-free. As someone who has celiac disease, it can be a little isolating when you're invited to a party and can only enjoy the fruit and veggie platter. This gluten-free Chex mix recipe ensures that everyone can enjoy the snacks at your next party!
Ingredients
- Chex cereal: There are several types of gluten-free Chex cereals (a mix of Rice Chex and Corn Chex are what I used), but Wheat Chex is not gluten-free. Make sure you use a gluten-free type for your snack mix.
- Gluten-free pretzels: There are many different brands and types of gluten-free pretzels available now. Our favorite are Snyder's mini pretzel twists.
- Mixed nuts: Use whatever blend of nuts you like best - just make sure to check the label. Some nuts have a "may contain" statement that includes gluten.
- Worcestershire sauce: This adds a signature flavor that is synonymous with Chex mix, but it's important to be careful and find a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Some brands are not, so make sure to check the label before purchasing. The most popular brand - Lea & Perrins - is gluten-free.
- Butter: Either salted or unsalted is fine here. You could even use your favorite vegan butter if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt.
Optional Mix-ins
If you want to amp up your gluten-free snack mix, you can absolutely get creative and add some yummy mix-ins.
- Gluten free crackers (or cheese crackers)
- M&M's or chocolate chips
- Reeses pieces
- Seasonal candies
- Gluten-free bagel chips
Note: If your mix-ins are meltable like chocolate or candies, leave those out during the baking process. Add them in once the mix has cooled completely to avoid a serious mess!
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereals, gluten-free pretzels, and mixed nuts to a large bowl.
- Mix well to combine.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add in the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the seasoned melted butter over the dry snack mix.
- Stir gently until everything is well coated.
- Spread the Chex Mix onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a 275ºF (135ºC) for 25-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so.
- Allow the gluten-free snack mix to cool to room temperature before transferring to a serving bowl (or an airtight container).
Optional: Adding Meltable Mix-ins
If you made the choice to add sweet or meltable mix-ins to your gluten-free Chex mix, add them once the mix has completely cooled to room temperature.
Storing Chex Mix
Leftover Chex Mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
Top tip: For the best results, make sure that the snack mix is completely cooled before adding it to a container, as a warm mix will cause condensation in the jar, which accelerates spoilage.
For gifting: Add individual servings of your own Chex mix to pint or quart-sized jars, and add a pretty ribbon and custom label. Cellophane bags also work well.
Substitutions
Without Worcestershire sauce: If you don't have this on hand but still want to make this recipe, try using gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, coconut aminos, or even ketchup in its place.
Without Chex: While a key ingredient, if you can't find any you can still make this recipe. I recommend using Crispix cereal, which is very similar and also gluten-free.
Dairy Free or Vegan: Swap the butter in this recipe for your favorite vegan and dairy-free butter.
Slow Cooker Method
Yes, you can make Chex mix in a Crock Pot! Here's how:
- Add the Chex cereal, nuts, pretzels, and the mix-ins of your choice (unless they are sweet and meltable) to a large crock pot insert. Stir well.
- Melt the butter, then add the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir well until everything is well coated.
- Cook on "low" for 3 hours, stirring every 1 hour to prevent burning.
- Turn off the heat, remove the crock from the base, and remove the lid.
- Allow to cool to room temperature before serving or storing.
Variations
Sweet & Salty: Use a "sweet" type of Chex like Cinnamon or Honey Nut and add some brown sugar into the butter mixture.
Custom holiday mixes: Use candies or chocolates that are seasonal in nature (Christmas M&M's for Christmas, Reeses pieces for Fall, etc).
Ranch: Add a packet of ranch seasoning (or homemade ranch seasoning) to the melted butter mixture.
Spicy: Add some ground cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to the seasoned butter, and/or use spicy mixed nuts instead of regular ones.
Large batch: Feel free to double the recipe and bake it on 2 sheet pans (or make Crock Pot Chex Mix instead).
If you loved this recipe for Gluten Free Chex Mix, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Gluten Free Chex Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups Chex cereal gluten-free varieties (rice or corn)
- ¾ cup mixed nuts
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free pretzels mini twists or sticks
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275ºF (135ºC) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Add the Chex cereals, mixed nuts, and pretzels to a large bowl.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat in 30-second intervals until melted. Alternatively, melt the butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to the butter and stir.
- Pour half of the seasoning and butter mixture over the snack mix, and toss well to coat.
- Add the remaining half of the butter mixture, and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the prepared Chex mix evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheets.
- After the snack mix has cooled to room temperature you can add any meltable mix-ins if you so choose (like M&M's or chocolate), and serve.
- Transfer to a bowl with a tight lid or an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
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Melissa Carr says
So quick and easy! Thank you! I used my own Copycat Red Robin seasoning for seasoning salt, crispix for all of rice cereal and pretzels, 1/4c ea: cashews, pecans, walnuts. Excited for using as gifts!
Dolly {Dash for Dinner} says
Sounds yummy!
Mey says
Use Blue Diamond Almonds instead of mixed nuts if you are making this for someone with peanut allergies. So many nuts, even if they don’t contain peanuts, USE PEANUT OIL.