Ranch Chex Mix (with Brown Butter)

picking ranch chex mix out of a snack bowl

Ranch Chex Mix (with Brown Butter)

4.24 from 21 votes

Rice Chex, pretzels, cheddar crackers, and oyster crackers coated in brown butter, ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire, sprinkled with parmesan, and baked at 300°F until golden. The one that disappears first.

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Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Cool Time15

Total Time1 15

Servings: cups

Author: Molly Thompson

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

Note 1. Chex. I prefer rice Chex, but you could use wheat Chex, corn Chex, or a mix of each.

Note 2. Homemade Ranch Seasoning. Mix together 1 Tablespoon EACH of dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder with 3 teaspoons of dried dill, 2 of teaspoons chives, , and a pinch of salt. Use the entire batch for this ranch snack mix.

Note 3. Brown it. Don't just melt it. 5-6 minutes on medium heat until amber and nutty. This is what makes this version different."

Nutrition

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