Savory Chex Mix Recipe (Italian Seasoned)

This savory Chex mix variation is easy and delicious for parties. It’s got cereal, oyster crackers, pretzels and nuts all flavored with Italian seasoning mix and parmesan! The result is a snack mix that’s great to add to the bar or buffet table at holiday gatherings, showers, appetizer parties, game day and movie night.

white paper bag rolled down and filled with Chex party mix with small wood scoop inside, surrounded by snack cups and drinks.

This easy snack mix recipe is a variation of the original version, and just as tasty. It’s got grated Parmesan cheese plus Italian dressing seasoning mix and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. 

This homemade Chex mix recipe is the ultimate snack food for any occasion, and can usually be found at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Make it for cocktail parties, showers, movie night, game day or tailgate parties, and even a Western theme party.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make-ahead in the oven for stress-free entertaining. It’s crispy, crunchy, and a crowd-pleaser!  
  • An irresistible appetizer snack. Add a bowl to the food buffet, side tables and the bar.
  • Makes a great homemade food gift to give at the holidays. Fill jars, bags, or Chinese take-out cartons and give some to co-workers, neighbors, or as a party favor to guests.
large white bowl filled with Corn Chex, mini pretzels, oyster crackers and peanuts.

Ingredients

  • Chex Cereal. Corn Chex, Rice Chex or Wheat Chex, or any combination of each. You can also substitute with Crispix cereal. 
  • Pretzels. Use small twists like I did here, small pretzel squares, or use the classic small pretzel sticks.
  • Oyster Crackers. These are a great cracker because they’re small enough to distribute thoroughly, and they take on the flavors really well.
  • Nuts. I love to use salted peanuts because they add flavor and the size is proportionate to the other items. You could substitute with almonds or cashews.
  • Italian dressing seasoning pack. This gives you all the flavor without any additional seasoned salt. Grab two (0.7-oz) packets or larger for the amount you need in the recipe. Find them in the dressing aisle.
  • Pantry staples. You’ll also need butter, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.

Additions & Substitutions

Add any of these for even more flavor and texture. Just remember to swap for equal amounts, or balance out the amounts. For instance, use 1 cup oyster crackers and 1 cup goldfish crackers in place of the 2 cups of oyster crackers.

  • Goldfish crackers
  • Cheese crackers like Cheez-Its or Cheese Nips mini squares
  • Mini Ritz crackers
  • Mini Bagel chips
  • Garlic Rye chips
  • Shoestring potato sticks
  • Savory Pecans (mix these into the cooled party mix)

Sweet Options

Add a sweet element AFTER the mix has cooled, for a sweet and savory snack mix.

baking sheet with Chex snack mix prepared and ready to bake.

How to Make Homemade Snack Mix

  1. Add dry ingredients to a large bowl.
  2. Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients and combine well.
  3. Top with Parmesan and mix again.
  4. Turn out onto a sheet pan that’s lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup, and bake in the oven.
sheet pan with baked Chex mix and spoon to scoop it up.

Chex Mix Storage

Store mix in an airtight storage container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

To Freeze. Place mix in a Ziplock freezer bag or airtight storage container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tips

Let the mix cool on the baking sheet, and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack so air can circulate around it to help with cooling.

Let the snack mix cool completely before storing, so it retains its crunchy texture.

small brown snack cups filled with Chex mix on table with white bag full of more snack mix in background.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some tips on presentation for how to best serve this delicious snack. It’s equally terrific for football party food as well as a Christmas cocktail party

  • Put it in smaller serving bowls throughout your party space so it’s convenient to access.
  • Put a bowl on the bar where you’re serving cocktails.
  • Use a paper lunch bag to serve from. Roll down the top to create a rim and add a scoop to lift it out.
  • Provide small party snack cups that guests can fill and carry.

More Snack Mix Variations

The original Chex Mix has been popular since it was created in 1952. But this iconic mix of cereal, pretzels, and nuts has numerous variations from sweet to spicy to chocolatey.

  • Sweet & Salty Chex mix – delicious puppy chow with nuts and candies are a marriage made in heaven.
  • Muddy Buddies Mix – customize your sweet Chex mix with colorful candy add-ins that you can match to your party theme.
  • Candy Corn Mix – another great sweet and salty combination with just 2 ingredients and no cooking required.
  • Savory Popcorn Snack Mix – dress up your popcorn with a few tasty seasonings and crunchy additions.

Savory Chex mix is a delicious snack perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, hosting movie night, or cheering on a game day event, this recipe will not disappoint. The unique flavor and texture that will keep you coming back for more. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make ahead. 

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white paper bag rolled down and filled with Chex party mix with small wood scoop inside.

Savory Chex Mix recipe

Yield: 8.5 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Easy mouthwatering savory snack mix perfect for parties, movie nights, game day, or anytime you're craving something crunchy.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 4 cups Chex or Crispix cereal, any variety
  • 2 cups oyster crackers
  • 2 cups small pretzels
  • ½ cup salted peanuts

Seasoning Mix

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted (melt in microwave at 30 second intervals)
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons dried Italian Dressing Seasoning Packet
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  
  2. Combine dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a medium size bowl, add melted butter and remaining seasoning ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and whisk to combine. Pour over cereal mixture and toss well to coat.
  4. Sprinkle Parmesan over mixture and toss again to coat well.
  5. Pour out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread out in a single layer. Cook for 25 minutes, stopping to toss after 15 minutes.
  6. Cool completely and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

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4 Comments

  1. Oh would have been great for my teacher’s gift too! I gave them a “wrap up the end of the year” survival basket. All the essentials for their gift wrapping needs and refreshments to tie them over while they are wrapping gifts.

  2. it is true. At some point people get too many sweets during the holiday season. Good to have savory options for small gifts!

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