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Easy Savory Ranch Christmas Chex Mix: The Best Holiday Snack

Savory Ranch Christmas Chex Mix - featured image

This Easy Savory Ranch Christmas Chex Mix is a quick and delicious holiday snack made with Chex cereal, pretzels, nuts, and cheese crackers coated in a savory ranch seasoning. Perfect for parties, weeknight cravings, or gifting, it’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together in under 15 minutes of prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 cups Corn Chex cereal
  • 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • 2 cups mini pretzels
  • 1 cup mixed nuts (roasted and salted, such as cashews, almonds, and pecans)
  • 1 cup cheese crackers (like Goldfish or Cheez-Its)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground if possible)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Corn Chex, Rice Chex, mini pretzels, mixed nuts, and cheese crackers. Stir gently to distribute evenly.
  3. Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until fully melted (about 60-90 seconds).
  4. Whisk in the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) until smooth.
  5. Pour the seasoned butter evenly over the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula or your hands until every piece is coated (about 2-3 minutes).
  6. Divide the mixture between two large rimmed baking sheets, spreading in an even layer.
  7. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden and dry.
  8. Check for doneness: the mix should feel dry and look golden. If still soft, bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
  9. Let the mix cool completely on the baking sheets (at least 30 minutes), stirring once halfway through to break up clumps.
  10. Transfer to an airtight container or serving bowl. Enjoy!

Notes

Use fresh cereal for best crunch. If using salted nuts, skip extra salt. For gluten-free version, use gluten-free pretzels and cheese crackers. Do not use light butter or margarine. The mix tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Can be frozen for up to three months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas Chex mix, ranch Chex mix, savory snack mix, holiday snack, easy snack mix, party snack