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

big white bowl of chex mix with a blue and white towel and small bowls

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.

skillet of chex mix ingredients on a wooden board and blue and white towel

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.

round board with blue and white towel and stick of butter and bowl of garlic salt

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!

white bowl with cheerios, chex cereal, pretzels, peanuts on round board

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

melted butter and garlic salt in an electric skillet

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.

skillet of chex mix ingredients with a bowl of garlic salt

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.

spilled party mix with a glass of beer and an opener

Ultimate Game Day Recipes

small bowl of party mix on a blue and white striped towel and wooden board

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

white bowl of chex mix and a wooden spoon with a blue dish towel on a wooden board.

5 from 5 votes