This Crock Pot Chex Mix recipe is a great way to prepare big batches of the delicious snack mix we all known and love. Crispy, savory, and perfect for gifting, you're not going to want to use any other method ever again!
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Chex Mix is one of my favorite snacks to serve at parties, holiday dinners, and game day events. It's universally appealing, and pretty much everyone enjoys it!
This slow cooker Chex Mix recipe is a total game changer. Instead of tying up my oven and watching it super carefully, I can easily prep this classic recipe that day before.
In fact, I went for a nice afternoon walk in between making my first batch of this a few weeks ago. Talk about easy!
Reasons to Love It:
- Easy clean up. Since everything is mixed together and "baked" in the Crock Pot, you have minimal dishes to clean up.
- Customizable. You can add whatever mix-ins you like best in your Chex Mix, and could even use this slow cooker method to make my gluten-free version OR Gold Fish Chex mix.
- Perfect for holiday parties. Whether you're looking for something to bring to your potluck, or a delicious gift idea for the holiday season, homemade Chex Mix is a great option!
- Easy to make. Just add the dry ingredients, pour in the melted butter mixture, then stir and cook for 3 hours. So simple!
Ingredients
- Chex cereal: I recommend using at least 2 different types of Chex cereals for the best flavor and texture. Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and Wheat Chex are the most widely available types.
- Pretzels: Use your favorite type - I like mini pretzels, but pretzel sticks or small pieces work well too. Gluten-free is an option if you need it.
- Mix-ins: Traditionally bagel chips or rye chips have been used, but this is one area where you can get creative. I used Cheez-it crackers, but have also used Goldfish crackers, cheerios, and sweet options (like M&M's, candy corn, etc).
- Nuts: You can use whatever combination of nuts you like best. I use the deluxe mixed nuts from Costco.
- Butter: I recommend using salted butter, or adding salt to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce: This is a signature element to the flavor of traditional Chex mix!
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt (plus any seasonings of your choice).
Equipment
- Slow cooker: In order to make a full size batch you'll need a 6-quart slow cooker. If you want to make a half of a batch, a smaller 4 quart model can be used instead.
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereal, pretzels, mixed nuts, and mix-ins of your choice into the insert of your slow cooker.
Note: 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.
- Stir the cereal mixture together gently.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe small 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.
- Cook on "low" for 3 hours, stirring every half hour (or hour) to encourage even browning.
- Remove the lid for the last hour of cooking.
Tips for Success
- Remove the lid. Take the lid off of the Crock for the final 60 minutes. This will help evaporate any moisture and allow the snack mix to crisp up.
- Cool completely. Allow the Chex mix to cool in the unplugged Crock Pot until room temperature. Stir occasionally to help release the heat.
- Use fresh ingredients. The end result is only as good as the ingredients you start with.
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.
Ideas for Mix-Ins
- Bagel chips (or rye chips)
- Cheerios
- Cheese sticks
- Cheese crackers (Cheez-its, goldfish, etc)
- Oyster crackers
- Candies
- M&m's
- Reese's Pieces
- Extra nuts or pretzels
Substitutions
Worcestershire sauce: If you don't have this on hand but still want to make homemade Chex mix, try using soy sauce, tamari, coconut aminos, malt vinegar, or ketchup in its place.
Without Chex: Crispix or Life cereals make a good substitute for Chex. If you live in Canada or the UK, Shreddies is a good option as well.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free varieties of Chex cereal (rice and corn), gluten-free pretzels (I like Snyder's gluten-free mini twists), and a gluten-free mix-in option (or more nuts).
Dairy-free: Use your favorite plant-based spread in place of the butter in this recipe.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 275ºF (135ºC) and line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Chex Mix by combining the cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels, and mix-ins of your choice. Pour over the seasoned butter and stir to coat.
- Spread the Chex Mix into the prepared baking sheets in a single layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, stirring the mixture every 10 minutes or so, until lightly browned and toasted.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely before transferring to storage.
More Snack Mix Recipes
If you loved this recipe for Crock Pot 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.
Crock Pot Chex Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal any combination of your choice
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 2 cup pretzels
- 2 cups mix-ins of your choice cheese crackers, bagel chips, goldfish, M&M's, etc
- ½ cup butter salted
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels, and the mix-ins of your choice to a 6-quart slow cooker insert. Stir gently to combine. (Note: if your mixins are chocolate and can melt, hold off on adding those in until the very end).
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, add the stick of butter. Heat in 30-second intervals until completely melted. Alternatively, you can melt it over low-medium heat in a saucepan.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to the melted butter and stir well to combine.
- Pour half of the melted butter mixture over the cereal and mixins, and toss well to coat. Add the remaining half of the butter mixture, and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on "low" for 3 hours, stirring every hour to encourage even browning.
- Optional: Remove the lid for the final 60 minutes of cooking to reduce moisture and allow the snack mix to crisp up.
- Once the cooking time is up, turn off the slow cooker and allow it to cool with the lid off until room temperature. Stir the mix several times to help heat escape.
- After the Chex Mix is completely cooled, transfer to an airtight container. Add any meltable mix-ins (like M&M's, chocolate, etc) if desired.
- Store at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, or package into jars for gifting.
Notes
Nutrition
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Beth Likewise says
Even with stirring every 30 minute my stuff burned in the crock pot. It's easy.
Dorothy Bigelow says
Oh no I'm sorry to hear that! You may have accidentally set it on high, or some brands have been known to be "hotter" than others, especially combo pots like the Instant Pot.
Leanne says
Such a great way to make Chex mix in bulk without taking up the oven. Making it again for Christmas now!