A Southern Soul Recipes Snacks

The BEST Chex Party Mix: Crock Pot Recipe

DonyabyDonya Mullins
Whether it's gameday or you're packing school lunches, this easy to follow recipe is sure to take your snack game to the next level!
5 from 4 reviews
7 Comments
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Crunchy, salty and totally addictive, this Crock Pot Party Mix is genuinely one of the best snack foods ever! Whether you’re making food for gameday or packing school lunches, this easy-to-follow ‘hands-free’ recipe will definitely take your snack game to the next level!

A large bowl filled with assorted snacks, including pretzel sticks, cereal squares, nuts, and cheerios, is placed on a white surface. A checked cloth napkin is beside it, and a few pieces are scattered nearby.
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My friend’s mother shared this recipe with me years ago, and I’ve used it for years cause, y’all, it’s the BEST. Over time, I wanted to find a less ‘hands-on’ method to make life easier. My solution? Make a slow cooker version. It’s loaded with all the flavor of my classic recipe, but now, it’s crock pot friendly!

Ready to find the perfect slow cooker for your kitchen? You’ll love my comprehensive Crock Pot buying guide to help you choose.

How Chex Party Mix Became a Snack-Time Legend

The original Chex Party Mix recipe dates back to the 1950s! The classic recipe calls for it to be baked in the oven—but with the rise of slow cookers in the 1970s, home cooks started experimenting with “hands-free” versions like this one. The slow cooker simplifies the process and evenly toasts the ingredients for that perfect crunch without babysitting the oven.

Slow Cooker Chex Mix Ingredients

Ingredients for a snack mix on a marble surface: butter sticks, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, onion salt, celery salt, Wheat Chex cereal, Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, mixed nuts, and Cheerios in bowls.
  • Cereals: Grab your favorite trio—Cheerios, Rice cereal, and Wheat cereal.
  • Pretzels: Use twists, sticks, or whatever you have in the pantry!
  • Nuts: Mixed nuts or air fryer roasted nuts work great, but feel free to use just one type or swap in seeds for a nut-free version.
  • Butter: Unsalted is best, so you can control the saltiness.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: The secret to that bold, savory flavor.
  • Seasonings: A trio of garlic, onion, and celery salt ties it all together.

Can I Customize The Ingredients?

Yes, 100%! This recipe is super flexible. Here are a few ideas:

  • Sweet & Salty: Add a handful of chocolate candies or dried fruit after cooling. You can also finish with Southern Candied Pecans.
  • Spicy Party Mix: Toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to give it a kick.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cereals, pretzels, and seasonings to cater to dietary needs.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Swap the mixed nuts for crunchy seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.

Can I Make This Snack Mix Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! This party mix is perfect for making ahead because it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks. I always make a batch for the Super Bowl and game day. It’s also one of my favorite “homemade food gifts” to share.

Step By Step Instructions

Four-step process of making snack mix: 1) Melted butter in a saucepan with a wooden spoon. 2) Mixed cereals, pretzels, and nuts in a crockpot. 3) Butter mixture being poured over the mix. 4) Mix stirred in the crockpot with a wooden spoon.
  1. Make the Sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, onion salt, and celery salt.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Add all your cereals, pretzels, and nuts to the slow cooker. Gently toss everything together.
  3. Coat the Mix: Pour the butter sauce over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring halfway through.
  4. Crisp It Up: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for another 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes to keep it crunchy. Spread the mix onto a baking sheet to cool completely. Once cooled, it’s ready to eat or store!

How Long Does This Party Mix Stay Good For?

Slow Cooker Chex Party Mix will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag. No need to refrigerate—just store it in a cool, dry place, like your pantry or countertop.

A close-up of a bowl filled with a mix of pretzel sticks, various nuts like almonds and cashews, and assorted cereal pieces. The snack mix is presented in a white bowl with a red rim.

Craving More? Try These Snack Recipes


If you tried this Crock Pot Party Mix Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

The BEST Chex Party Mix: Crock Pot Recipe

5 from 4 reviews
Author: Donya Mullins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 8
Calories: 313kcal
Print Pin Rate
Crunchy, salty and totally addictive, this Slow Cooker Party Mix is truly one of the best snack foods ever! Whether you're making food for gameday or packing school lunches, this easy to follow 'hands-free' recipe is sure to take your snack game to the next level!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 sticks Unsalted Butter
  • 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon Onion salt
  • 1 tablespoon Celery salt
  • 1 medium sized box of Cheerios
  • 1 box of Rice cereal
  • ½ a box of Wheat cereal
  • ¾ of a bag of Pretzels
  • 2 cans of Mixed nuts

Instructions

  • Melt butter in medium sauce pan.  Add Worcestershire sauce along with celery, garlic and onion salt.
  • Add all cereals, nuts and pretzels to slow cooker and gently mix. Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients and gently mix until coated.
  • Put lid on slow cooker and set for 2 hours on LOW. Remove lid after 2 hours and stir the mix.
  • Cook UNCOVERED for an additional 45 minutes on LOW, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from slow cooker and let cool.

Notes

Recipe Variations:
    • Sweet & Salty: Add a handful of chocolate candies or dried fruit after cooling. You can also finish with Southern Candied Pecans.
    • Spicy Party Mix: Toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to give it a kick.
    • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cereals, pretzels, and seasonings to cater to dietary needs.
    • Nut-Free Alternative: Swap the mixed nuts for crunchy seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
How To Store: this snack mix will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag. No need to refrigerate—just store it in a cool, dry place, like your pantry or countertop.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal · Carbohydrates: 2g · Protein: 0.4g · Fat: 35g · Saturated Fat: 22g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 9g · Trans Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 91mg · Sodium: 2734mg · Potassium: 82mg · Fiber: 0.05g · Sugar: 1g · Vitamin A: 1070IU · Vitamin C: 1mg · Calcium: 22mg · Iron: 1mg
Did you make this?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
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7 Comments

    1. Hey! The measurements don’t have to be exact, the boxes at your grocery store should be fine! Thanks for your rating! ~Donya

      Reply

  3. Thanks Kendra. I was a little skeptical but it worked perfectly. Crispy and full of flavor with no stirring for the first 2 hours!

    Reply
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