Our family’s homemade version of Chex Mix is the best Bold & Buttery Snack Mix recipe there is and it’s so easy it is made in the microwave!
Homemade Chex Mix
If you are looking for a healthy snack idea, you might want to look elsewhere. This Bold & Buttery Microwave Snack mix is loaded with 50% more of the savory butter sauce the traditional recipe calls for. That’s obviously what makes it the best!
When people bring homemade Chex Mix to a party we are always disappointed because it could be described as bland at best. What makes the best snack mix is the buttery goodness! When you get one of those sweet wheat chex that is soggy from so much butter, you have struck gold.
Please tell me we are not alone here and many of you appreciate the extra buttery version as well?! If you haven’t tried it yet, you MUST!
The BEST Snack Mix Recipe
As for the rest of the ingredients in the homemade Chex Mix, I won’t stand in the way of you and your love for pretzels or mixed nuts. Personally, I like to skimp on the pretzels.
If we could get away with it, my sister and I would leave them out all together. My Mom isn’t having any of that nonsense though. Luckily, she doesn’t yell at us anymore when we eat around them and just leave a nice big bowl of seasoned pretzels for her.
What nuts do you use in your snack mix?
Over the years we have also realized that mixed nuts aren’t really the jam. I mean, sure they offer a nice variety, but why mess around with things like Brazilian nuts and almonds when you can load up on the best nut there is. Cashews!
I say this, but my family just throws too much of a fit if we don’t include some mixed nuts. So the compromise is usually half mixed nuts and half cashews. We have found this to be a nice balance for everyone’s tastes.
Sure, cashews might be a little more expensive than the mixed nuts, but just be sure to grab a bulk bag when they are sale. We like to get our bulk nuts at FleetFarm.
It may sound like an odd place to buy nuts, but we don’t have any Costcos or bulk stores around here and that is the best deal to be had. Aldi is a good option as well now.
What’s the special ingredient?
Now that we have established that pretzels are meh and cashews are the way to go, let’s talk about one special addition in my version of Chex Mix.
My Mom snubbed her nose the first time I made this addition, only because it deviated from our classic family recipe. Soon, everyone was on board with this bold and buttery addition to the snack mix recipe.
What am I talking about exactly? Garlic Rye Chips!
These salty and buttery bad boys are a staple in Gardettos, and well basically the only reason most people even eat Gardettos. I figured, why not add them to my homemade snack mix it the absolute best!
Microwave Snack Mix
We have gotten the list of all the ingredients out of the way for the best snack mix, so now it’s time to talk about how you make it.
Growing up and to this day, the only way my Mom will make it is in the oven. This is what the recipe called for, so it’s what she does. Of course the oven makes a great snack mix as it roasts the savory buttery sauce into the cereal, but it takes over an hour! Who has time for that?!
That is where the microwave comes in handy. You get the same great flavor and texture in a fraction of the time. In fact, this recipe take less than 20 minutes from start to finish!
How to make homemade Snack Mix
One of the many great things about homemade snack mix is that it stores so well. You can make it days in advance and it will keep perfectly fresh in an airtight container.
It also transports well in all weather conditions. So weather you want an easy snack on a hot summer day by the pool or want to send the guys with a treat on their ice fishing trip, it is always a winner.
- In an extra large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. (I own three different colors of this Tupperware 32 cup Thatsa bowl, because they are so great for making and storing snack mix!)
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Add the Chex Mix cereal and gently fold until it is all well coated. Stir in the nuts.
- Microwave for 6 minutes, giving it a quick stir every 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic rye chips and spread the mixture out over wax paper lined counters.
- Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
And there you have it. It is so simple, it is a great recipe to make with the kids or in a last minute pinch when you need to bring a dish to share.
If you want it to last, just be sure to hide the bowl like my Mom does or it won’t last more than a day!
More unique snack mix recipes!
- Honey Sriracha Snack Mix
- Sweet & Spicy Pecan Snack Mix
- Zesty 3 Cheese Snack Mix
- Sweet & Salty Cranberry Snack Mix
- Buffalo Ranch Snack Mix
- Sweet & Salty Puffcorn Snack Mix
Best Bold & Buttery Microwave Snack Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
Butter sauce
- 1 c. melted butter
- 1/4 c. worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. seasoning salt
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
Mixins
- 3 c. wheat Chex Mix
- 3 c. rice Chex Mix
- 3 c. corn Chex Mix
- 2 c. pretzels
- 10 oz. mixed nuts
- 1 c. cashews optional
- 8 oz. garlic rye chips
Instructions
- In an extra large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the seasonings until well mixed.
- Add the Chex Mix and nuts and fold until everything is well coated.
- Microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic rye chips and spread over wax paper lined counters.
- Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Tammy says
Would the recipe turn out the same if baked in oven the traditional way?
Danielle Green says
Yes!
Melissa says
Super Yummy! We also add Cheerios! You might want to note that the mixture hardens and crispens as it cools
Alison says
Easy enough for the kids to help! My whole family loved this.
Alison LaFortune says
Easy enough for the kids to help! My whole family loved this.
Malinda says
We love this snack mix. I take it to any party and come home with an empty container!
Julie says
My kids loved helping me make this and it was definitely delicious, thanks for sharing!
Megan says
I love homemade chex mix and the fact you make this one in the microwave takes it to the top of my list! So yummy, thank you!