The classic football season snack, this chex party mix recipe only has two ingredients in the seasoning mix and is beyond easy to make.

Recipes are like a big game of "Telephone." They're passed around as stories, shared via email or text, scribbled on napkins or, less likely —on monogrammed recipe cards. This chex party mix recipe personifies the Telephone Game. Passed down to my husband from his mom (from who knows where), our family's homemade cereal mix recipe was recently communicated over the phone to me as "handfuls of this and so many shakes of that".
JP has been rocking homemade chex mix ever since we met. It's his thing. Every football season, you can expect to find JP clutching a big, overflowing bowl of this savory mix planted on the couch for at least two Sundays. It's tradition.
Why This Party Mix is Different
- It's made in an electric skillet
- You use fewer ingredients (less $$!) that you likely already have AND still get big bold chex mix flavor!
Talk about mixing things up. Yup, I just did that.
Chex Mix Seasoning
Like I mentioned, this chex mix seasoning has fewer ingredients. Only TWO! It doesn't get any easier than:
- butter - ok, my MIL used margarine but I've slowly moved JP over to buttah
- garlic salt - and I mean a lot...
I always thought it was weird because the classic chex mix recipe (see below) has worcestershire sauce and some other things in it, but trust me, you'll love the simplicity of this and the killer flavor!
The Nuts and Bolts
- Cheerios or any round whole wheat cereal
- Chex - specifically wheat and corn
- pretzel sticks
- Spanish peanuts (the kind with the skin on them)
- Optional:
- cheese crackers like goldfish or Cheeze-its
- Quaker Oatmeal Squares
The Process
Making this mix is super easy. We use an uncovered electric skillet. Maybe because we're old school (or that's what my MIL used) but I've come to find you do have more control. You could use your oven on a super low convection setting like 225° but it'll take a little longer.
- In a non-stick electric skillet on simmer, melt 1 stick of butter. As it melts, shake in SIX-SEVEN double shakes of Lawry's Garlic Salt with Parsley. Yes, that's 12-14 mini shakes! Not apologizing one bit.
- Add in your handfuls of chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts and toss lightly.
- Shake in another SIX-SEVEN double shakes of garlic salt.
- Toss every 5 minutes for about 30-45 minutes.
How Far in Advance Can You Make Chex Mix
Up to 3 days in advance of when you plan to serve it. I'd advise making extra because there's a definite "eat as you cook" habit that needs to be factored in.
Storing Suggestions
After you're done cooking it, leave the party mix in the bowl to cool. Once it's completely cool, you can store it in an airtight container or Ziploc for up to 3 days. After that, it loses it's crispness.
But there's no shame in still eating it.
Can i Make It In the Microwave Instead?
Sure, why not? Use what you got. I personally haven't tried it yet, but the Original Chex mix recipe is made in the microwave. Just don't overcook it or you run the risk of a "stale" texture.
Ultimate Game Day Recipes
Tips
For a few: This recipe easily can be cut in half for a smaller number.
For a crew: Serve up individual servings in small cups for a party or small gathering. Can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger group.
📖 Recipe
JP's Chex Party Mix
Equipment
- electric skillet
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 4 teaspoons garlic salt with parsley, divided + more if needed
- 3 cups Wheat Chex
- 2½ cups Corn Chex
- 2½ cups pretzel sticks
- 2 cups Cheerios
- 1 cup Spanish peanuts
Instructions
- With an electric skillet set to simmer, melt the butter. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of the garlic salt (approximately 6-7 double shakes).
- Pile the cereal mix ingredients on top and toss to mix with the butter and garlic salt.
- Sprinkle the remaining garlic salt and toss until coated.
- Continue cooking on low heat for a minimum of 30 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes to cook evenly. Watch to make sure the mix doesn't burn. If it looks too dark too early, lower your heat.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Cheeze-Its or goldfish crackers
- Sesame sticks
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