This is the ranch Chex mix that gets eaten first at every party. You’ve had Chex mix before. Not with brown butter. That’s the difference. Five to six minutes in a saucepan, the butter bubbles, foams, and goes nutty and amber. From there it’s Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, and parmesan. The rest is just tossing and baking low and slow until everything turns golden and crispy.
Looking for more snack mixes? Try chocolate peanut butter protein puppy chow, puppy chow with cookie butter, or caramel Crispix mix next!
This easy snack recipe is made in the oven and bakes to perfection! It’s a deliciously golden brown, cheesy medley of all your favorite hearty snack ingredients coated in a zesty ranch seasoning. Once you take a bite of this mix, you won’t be able to stop.
Did I mention it’s the easiest thing ever to make? I needed a recipe I could take tailgating that was easy to munch on, easy to make, and easy to transport. Because I love Cheese Itz, I wanted a snack mix recipe where they were the star.
My only suggestion is to make a big batch so you have plenty on hand as a crunchy snack for the family or bring it to your next party.
Why Brown the Butter?
Most Chex mix recipes tell you to melt butter. This one tells you to brown it, and that step is the entire reason this version tastes different from every other ranch Chex mix out there. Browning butter takes about five minutes on medium heat: the butter foams, the milk solids separate and sink, and they caramelize into amber brown bits that smell distinctly nutty. Those bits coat every piece of cereal and cracker with a depth of flavor that melted butter never achieves. It’s the move that makes people ask what you did.
What’s In This Ranch Chex Mix
Rice Chex: I prefer rice Chex for the crunch, but wheat Chex, corn Chex, or a mix of all three work. See the recipe note.
Pretzel sticks or mini pretzels: Adds a salt hit and a different texture. Break the sticks in half if they’re long.
Cheddar crackers (Cheez-Its): The salty cheese cracker layer. Cheez-Its hold up to the butter coating and baking better than other cheddar crackers.
Oyster crackers: Small, neutral, buttery. They absorb the ranch and brown butter and turn into the crunchiest pieces in the bowl.
Unsalted butter: You’re going to brown it. 1.5 sticks (170g). Give it five to six minutes on medium heat. Don’t rush it.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth and a slight tang. It’s the ingredient that makes the coating taste more complex than just butter and ranch.
Ranch dressing mix: One packet or the homemade version (see recipe note for the blend). The homemade ranch mix controls the salt and tastes cleaner than the packet.
Grated parmesan: Sprinkled on top before baking. It toasts into golden, salty bits that finish every handful. This is the extra layer of flavor no other ranch Chex mix recipe has.
How to Make Ranch Chex Mix
Here are the basic steps, with images, for this ranch party mix. Skip down to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe.
Step 1. Preheat and prep
Preheat the oven to 300°F with the rack in the lowest position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. Combine the mix
Combine the Chex, pretzels, cheddar crackers, and oyster crackers in a very large bowl. Set aside.
Step 3. Brown the butter
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for five to six minutes. The butter will bubble, foam, and then the milk solids at the bottom will turn amber brown and smell nutty. That’s the moment. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a small bowl to stop the cooking.
Success tip: Watch it closely once the foam subsides. The milk solids go from golden to burnt in about 30 seconds. The color you want is deep amber, not dark brown.
Step 4. Season and toss
Stir the ranch seasoning and Worcestershire sauce into the brown butter. Pour over the cereal mixture and toss gently to coat, being careful not to crush the Chex. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Sprinkle the parmesan on top.
Step 5. Bake low and slow
Bake at 300°F for 45 minutes, stirring gently every 15 minutes to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving. It crisps up as it cools.
Success tip: Don’t skip the 15-minute stirs. They redistribute the coating and prevent the bottom layer from over-browning while the top stays pale.
Recipe Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can add your favorite snack mix ingredients. Here are some ideas for switching up your own homemade Chex mix:
- Bagel chips
- Peanuts
- Cashews
- Sesame sticks
- Mini breadsticks
- M&Ms
- Different cereals like Cheerios or other Chex flavors
Freezing and Storing Tips
Allow the snack mix to come to room temperature, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
FAQ
Yes. Wheat Chex, corn Chex, or a mix all work. Rice Chex gives the crunchiest result. Avoid any sweetened cereals they don’t work here.
Yes, and it’s worth it. Mix together 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder with 3 teaspoons dried dill, 2 teaspoons dried chives, and a pinch of salt. Use the entire batch for this recipe.
Yes. Cook on low for two to three hours, stirring every 45 minutes, then spread on a baking sheet to cool and crisp. The oven version has a crunchier result, but the slow cooker works well for large batches.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it keeps for up to five days. It also freezes well for up to three months in a zip bag.
Two reasons: the mix didn’t cool completely before storing, or the cereal wasn’t spread in an even layer during baking. Spread it flat, stir every 15 minutes, and let it cool entirely at room temperature before putting it in a container.
If you make this zesty ranch chex mix recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Puppy chow with peanut butter is a sweet snack mix to bring out at your next party.
- Black bean and corn dip is the perfect party snack.
- Whipped goat cheese is one of my favorite snacks when I need something quick. Serve with bite-size pretzels..
- Rosemary spiced nuts are an easy recipe for gifting!
- Candied pecans are a great option if you need a finger food that’s salty and sweet.
Ranch Chex Mix (with Brown Butter)
Save this Recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 cups (1/2 box) Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups pretzel sticks or mini pretzels (I used both)
- 3 cups cheddar crackers (I used Cheez Itz)
- 2 cups oyster crackers
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks; 170g) unsalted butter cut into cubes
- 1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix (dry) (Note 2 Homemade)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and arrange the oven rack to the lowest position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Combine the chex cereal, pretzels, Cheez Itz, oyster crackers in a large bowl and set aside.4 cups (1/2 box) Rice Chex cereal, 3 cups pretzel sticks or mini pretzels, 3 cups cheddar crackers, 2 cups oyster crackers
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes until the butter bubbles then foams, and eventually browns. You will start to see the solid bits turn an amber brown color and smell distinctly nutty. Immediately remove from the heat, pour into a small bowl, and stir in the dry ranch seasoning. Alternately, microwave the butter to melt and skip browning (but I recommend it!).3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks; 170g) unsalted butter, 1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix (dry)
- Pour the melted butter mixture over the cereal mixture and gently toss to coat, being careful not to break the Chex cereal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Making now.
Worcestershire sauce in the instructions but not in the ingredient list
Hey Kim! Thanks for calling that out, it’s a typo. I updated the recipe to remove it. Hope you loved it!
Hi! I randomly found your recipe and want to make it for an upcoming girls trip! Instructions say to add Worchestershire sauce but the ingredients list does not include it. How much do you typically add to the butter mixture? Thanks!
Hey Erika! Good catch! I recently updated this recipe and removed the worchestershire but forgot to remove it from the instructions. Doing that now!
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I made this yesterday and it was a hit. I will definitely make again and again.
Hey!! So glad you liked it:)