Homemade Chex Mix Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. Take it old-school with homemade Chex mix! This irresistibly savory, buttery, and crunchy snack, also known as nuts n’ bolts, is the perfect nibble to have on hand when you’ve got a full house. Chex mix, also known as nuts n’ bolts, is a classic American snack that’s a staple during football games and holiday gatherings. It’s a savory mix of Chex cereal, nuts, and other bite-sized goodies, seasoned and baked to crispy perfection. My go-to Chex mix recipe comes from Barb Gyles, who was like a second mom to me growing up. Barb always kept a huge bin of Chex mix in her kitchen, ready to feed all the neighborhood kids (and parents!), no matter the occasion. When I asked if her recipe was the same as the one on the cereal box, she scoffed, “No way. That stuff’s for amateurs.” Her version uses extra butter, more spices, and as she said, “more salt, if your heart works.” Easy to make and endlessly customizable, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser. What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Chex Mix Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex: The crunchy backbone of the mix. You can use all three for variety or stick with just one or two, depending on what you have on hand. Cheerios: Adds a toasty, familiar crunch. If you want something heartier, swap them out for bagel chips—or even use a combo of both. Skinny bite-sized pretzels: For that salty, crispy contrast. Mini twists or sticks work just as well. Salted nuts: Adds richness and crunch. Feel free to mix things up—peanuts, almonds, cashews, or even pecans all work nicely. Or, skip them entirely if nuts aren’t your thing. Unsalted butter: Helps the seasoning stick and gives that irresistible buttery flavor. Worcestershire sauce: For a savory, umami boost that ties everything together. Seasoned salt: Gives the mix that classic flavor kick. Garlic powder and onion powder: These pantry staples are key to building that bold, savory flavor. Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that rounds out the seasoning. Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex: The crunchy backbone of the mix. You can use all three for variety or stick with just one or two, depending on what you have on hand. Cheerios: Adds a toasty, familiar crunch. If you want something heartier, swap them out for bagel chips—or even use a combo of both. Skinny bite-sized pretzels: For that salty, crispy contrast. Mini twists or sticks work just as well. Salted nuts: Adds richness and crunch. Feel free to mix things up—peanuts, almonds, cashews, or even pecans all work nicely. Or, skip them entirely if nuts aren’t your thing. Unsalted butter: Helps the seasoning stick and gives that irresistible buttery flavor. Worcestershire sauce: For a savory, umami boost that ties everything together. Seasoned salt: Gives the mix that classic flavor kick. Garlic powder and onion powder: These pantry staples are key to building that bold, savory flavor. Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that rounds out the seasoning. Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements Step-by-Step Ingredients Combine all of the snack mix ingredients in a large disposable aluminum pan or roasting pan. Next, make the butter seasoning: in a medium bowl, combine the melted butter with the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and thyme. Whisk to combine. Slowly pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture, being careful to spread it evenly around. Stir until all of the ingredients are evenly coated. Bake in a 250°F oven, stirring occasionally, for about 1½ hours. Let cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If you’d like to extend its shelf life, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. You May Also Like RecipeComments (104)Add Comment Recipe Comments (104) Add Comment Ingredients For the Snack Mix 4 cups Corn Chex 4 cups Wheat Chex 3 cups Rice Chex 2 cups Cheerios 3 cups skinny bite-sized pretzels 1½ cups salted nuts 4 cups Corn Chex 4 cups Wheat Chex 3 cups Rice Chex 2 cups Cheerios 3 cups skinny bite-sized pretzels 1½ cups salted nuts For the Butter Seasoning 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil) 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 heaping teaspoons seasoned salt 1¼ teaspoons garlic powder ¾ teaspoon onion powder ¾ teaspoon dried thyme 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil) 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 heaping teaspoons seasoned salt 1¼ teaspoons garlic powder ¾ teaspoon onion powder ¾ teaspoon dried thyme Instructions Preheat oven to 250°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Combine the Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, and nuts in a large disposable aluminum pan or roasting pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Pour slowly over the snack mix, stirring as you go, to coat evenly. Continue stirring until snack mix is well coated with the seasoning. Bake for 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Let cool, then serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Note: You can omit any of the snack mix ingredients as long as you substitute something else. The idea is to keep the ratio of snack mix to butter seasoning the same. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The snack mix can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing. Preheat oven to 250°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Combine the Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, and nuts in a large disposable aluminum pan or roasting pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Pour slowly over the snack mix, stirring as you go, to coat evenly. Continue stirring until snack mix is well coated with the seasoning. Bake for 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Let cool, then serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Note: You can omit any of the snack mix ingredients as long as you substitute something else. The idea is to keep the ratio of snack mix to butter seasoning the same. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The snack mix can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (18 servings) Serving size: 1 cup Calories: 395 Fat: 15 g Saturated fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 60 g Sugar: 4 g Fiber: 5 g Protein: 9 g Sodium: 721 mg Cholesterol: 18 mg Per serving (18 servings) Serving size: 1 cup Calories: 395 Fat: 15 g Saturated fat: 5 g Carbohydrates: 60 g Sugar: 4 g Fiber: 5 g Protein: 9 g Sodium: 721 mg Cholesterol: 18 mg This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. See more recipes: Freezer-FriendlyMake-AheadSnacksAmerican Freezer-Friendly Make-Ahead Snacks American