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Easy Kid-Approved Savory Chex Mix with Ranch & Old Bay

Easy Kid-Approved Savory Chex Mix with Ranch & Old Bay - featured image
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This Kid-Approved Savory Chex Mix with Ranch and Old Bay Seasoning is a budget-friendly, easy-to-make snack that brings back memories of beach vacations. It’s perfect for road trips, lunchboxes, and picky eaters, with a savory, buttery, and tangy flavor that disappears fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 cups Chex cereal (mix of Corn, Rice, and Wheat Chex)
  • 2 cups mini pretzels (twists or sticks)
  • 1 cup cheese crackers (Goldfish or similar)
  • 1 cup peanuts (optional, dry roasted unsalted)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250°F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 9 cups Chex cereal, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup cheese crackers, and 1 cup peanuts (if using). Stir gently.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in 30-second bursts until just melted.
  4. Add 1 packet ranch seasoning, 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Drizzle the seasoned butter over the cereal mixture. Gently fold with a spatula or your hands until evenly coated.
  6. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the Chex mix in an even layer.
  7. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
  8. Cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes. The mix will crisp up as it cools.
  9. Break up any large clumps with your hands and serve.

Notes

Do not skip stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning. Let the mix cool completely for maximum crunch. The flavors improve after a day or two. For a nut-free version, double the pretzels or add bagel chips. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Chex, pretzels, and cheese crackers.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chex mix, ranch, Old Bay, snack mix, kid-friendly, easy snack, party mix, savory snack

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/easy-kid-approved-savory-chex-mix-with-ranch-and-old-bay/