Cheesy Ranch Snack Mix is a new twist on an old favorite cereal mix. Gather handfuls of Chex cereal, nuts, pretzels, and snack crackers, all flavored with ranch dressing and two kinds of cheese, including Better Cheddar Cheese Powder. So yummy.
Every Christmas my mom made our family the traditional Chex Mix with butter, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. It was always so good, and I made it myself for many years. Then our family transitioned to more of a cracker snack mix with other flavorings such as Ranch Dressing Mix. Again, yummy! See our family recipe for Addicting Munchies Holiday Snack.
This cheesy ranch recipe is a combination of the two, with more Chex Mix, and fewer crackers–plus the addition of cheese! Try it and see what you think! It’s at the top of my snack mixes to make this holiday season. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
A Note about Cereal and Crackers
I’ve listed Chex cereals (rice, corn, and wheat) for ingredients, but I admit that I sometimes use store brand cereals in their place.
I noticed nearly no difference in the wheat cereals. However, I found the corn and rice Chex cereals did hold up better during the mixing than the store brand. Usually, the Chex cereals can be found at a reasonable price during the holiday season, so if you’re able to buy that brand, I encourage it.
As for snack crackers, I will also buy the less expensive option, whether it’s Cheese-Its that are on sale, or a store brand option. I like to mix the cheddar and white cheddar cheese crackers if I can find them. Use whatever favorite wheat cracker you enjoy most. Or throw in another favorite cracker, if you so desire.
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Preheat oven to 250°F. Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on your counter or table.
The boxed ingredients for this snack mix (Chex cereals, crackers, pretzels, and mixed nuts) will often have enough to make 2 or even 3 recipes of this snack mix, allowing you to keep your family stocked throughout the entire holiday season!
Prepare the Snack Mix
Using a glass measuring cup, heat butter in the microwave for 20 second increments until melted. Add the vegetable oil and Worcestershire sauce to the butter and whisk to combine.
Mix in the Ranch Dressing Mix and garlic powder with the melted butter. Whisk to combine.
If I’m able to purchase Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix on sale, I will buy it in a large container. Otherwise, I use my homemade mix. See my Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Here.
In a large roasting pan, add in Corn, Rice, and Wheat Chex cereals, pretzels, cheese crackers, and wheat crackers.
Regarding pretzels, I’ve used stick, twists, and also the flat variety that has become popular the last few years. All work well, so it really doesn’t matter what kind you use.
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Begin pouring the liquid mixture over the cereal and crackers, carefully stirring with a rubber spatula or long handled wooden spoon as you go. Do this in thirds, mixing well between each pour.
When stirring the snack mix, I use a long handled spurtle or rubber spatula and fold the mix from the outer edges to the center working around the pan. Try to scrape the bottom of the pan to mix in all of the seasoning mixture.
Next, sprinkle half of the Parmesan and cheddar cheese powder over the snack mix, again stirring with a spatula to combine. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
Adding the cheese in halves helps to distribute the mixture better. Always remember to carefully fold the snack mix from the outer edges to the center for best distribution.
Baking Process
Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes. Add the mixed nuts to the snack mix for the last 30 minutes of baking, carefully folding to combine.
Remove from oven, and allow the snack mix to cool before serving.
Serve Cheesy Ranch Snack Mix in a pretty serving bowl.
You may store this snack mix in a covered container in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks–although I doubt it will last that long.
This recipe will make 25 cups.
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Cheesy Ranch Snack Mix
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Ingredients
- 5 cups Corn Chex Cereal
- 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 5 cups Wheat Chex Cereal
- 2 1/2 cups pretzels
- 2 1/2 cups bite-size cheese crackers
- 2 1/2 cups wheat crackers
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons Better Cheddar Powder (Buy Here.)
- 2 1/2 cups mixed nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250℉. Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on your counter or table.
Prepare the Snack Mix
- Using a glass measuring cup, heat 1/2 cup butter in the microwave for 20 second increments until melted. Add the 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce to the butter and whisk to combine.
- Mix the 3 tablespoons Ranch Dressing Mix and 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the melted butter. Whisk to combine.
- In a large roasting pan, add 5 cups Corn Chex Cereal, 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal and 5 cups Wheat Chex Cereal, 2 1/2 cups pretzels, 2 1/2 cups bite-size cheese crackers, and 2 1/2 cups wheat crackers.
- Begin pouring the liquid mixture over the cereal and crackers, carefully stirring with a rubber spatula or long handled wooden spoon as you go. Do this in thirds, mixing well between each pour.
- Next, sprinkle (half) of the 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and (half) of the 4 tablespoons Better Cheddar Powder over the snack mix, again stirring with a spatula to combine. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes. Add the 2 1/2 cups mixed nuts to the snack mix for the last 30 minutes of baking, carefully folding to combine.
- Remove from oven, and allow the snack mix to cool before serving. Store snack mix in a covered container in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks. Makes 25 cups.
