Homemade Chex mix is something I've traditionally reserved for the holidays, making big batches in the oven and wrapping portions up as gifts for family and friends. But when I stumbled across a Chex mix recipe that utilized a slow cooker, I started wondering if my favorite tried and true recipe could be adapted to be made in my crockpot -- and so I got to work.
Being diehard Ohio State Buckeyes fans, our Saturday afternoons are penciled in for watching college football from September through November, and somehow our garage has become the neighborhood game day hotspot (which I love!). We fill the fridge with beer and plop ourselves down in front of our 42-inch Sony Bravia that gets toted down from our bedroom each weekend. As the night wears on and the kids tucker out, we bring out the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker and whip up margaritas and daiquiris to order.
I figured this past Saturday was the perfect opportunity to test out my new slow cooker Chex mix recipe. Now granted it could have been the beer or other miscellaneous frozen alcoholic beverages, but it got rave reviews! In fact, the entire batch was gone before it even had a chance to completely cool.
I've since tweaked the recipe a little more, and in my opinion, it's even better. But don't take my word for it -- give it a try for yourself!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 3 cups Cheerios cereal
- 3 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 can mixed nuts
- 1 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
- Mix all three Chex cereals, Cheerios cereal, pretzel sticks, and mixed nuts in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Whisk together vegetable oil or butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and garlic powder and pour over cereal mixture. Mix well.
- Cook uncovered on high for approximately 90 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Turn the slow cooker down to low and cook for an additional 20 minutes, again stirring frequently.
- Spread on a cookie sheet to cool.
The best part of this recipe is that you can customize the dry ingredients to please. Try swapping the Corn Chex for Bugles or the Wheat Chex for melba toasts. Prefer just cashews to mixed nuts -- go for it! The combinations are endless...
What's your favorite "I didn't know you could make that in the slow cooker" recipe?
Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by West Bend.
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Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this! Our Saturdays seem very similar…except we are watching Orange & Blue (Gators!!) :)
I love this snack mix! I know my kids and anyone over watching the game will too :) Love the pic of it!
LOL, we have one lone neighbor that’s a Gators fan. We like to tease him, but he’s always welcome too!
My unusual favorite is chocolate/nut candies. I’ll post the recipe soon!
Mmm, I love a good salty/sweet combination. Sounds tasty!
What about butter? Instead of Veggie Oil, that is?
Or, maybe, part butter? I love the buttery taste…
PS. Do you leave the lid on or is the lid off during cooking?
Good questions, Roberta! It should uncovered, so I’ll make sure to add that to the instructions.
As much as I’m a proponent of using real butter in recipes, I actually haven’t tried it in my Chex mix recipe — I guess because it’s the recipe that my mama passed down to me, and I figured if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
If you decide to try it, the official Chex party mix recipe calls for what is roughly about 1/3 cup of butter, so I’d probably start with that amount and add more if needed knowing that butter will make for a much richer flavor.
My Chex Mix always flops for some reason. My husband is always so happy to get a batch from his sister. I will try your crock pot recipe what a great idea!
what a great idea!
Get right out of town! You mean this really works???!!! I am totally gonna make this this weekend. Thanks for the recipe :-)
Great idea, I had no idea you could make this in the slowcooker, but I plan to try it soon!
What a fun party food. Love the simplicity.
maybe a dumb question, but is seasoned salt the same thing as lawerys salt?
Yep! Lawry’s is actually the brand I use when I make it. ;)
We make this for holidays too, takes forever! The slow cook way sound great.
Cannot wait to try this…and just in time for the upcoming holidays, too! I wonder if M&M’s would work but probably place in the mix after it is cooled? I think I’ll try when Candace posts the recipe. :)
Oh, I bet that would be good! Yeah, I’d definitely wait to add it to the cooled mix — If you can wait. I can’t stop picking at it when it’s still warm, lol.
By the way, it looks like Candace posted her recipe here: http://southerngoodeatin.blogspot.com/2011/09/crock-pot-candy.html Sounds yummy!
Sounds yummy!!! I LOVE that it’s made in the crockpot so that you don’t have to heat up your house using the oven! My favorite “flavor” is the bold party blend…NEED to find that recipe!! I know I’ve seen it somewhere…maybe in one of the Top Secret Recipes cookbooks or website…hmmm…
Thank you for posting this!! I LOVE Chex Mix but don’t love the price of buying it pre-made at the store. :)
Oh, and we’re Razorback fans here. :) My family (cousins, in-laws, etc) includes Arkansas, Alabama, and Auburn fans…you can imagine how my sister’s house was this weekend…she’s a Hog fan (went to Arkansas) and her husband is an Auburn fan. :) WPS!
I would never use oil….only butter. The flavor would be much better and it’s not supposed to be health food. I love the Worcestershire flavor, so add extra. AND, I also add baby goldfish crackers (or regular…cheddar, of course.) I love Chex mix. I just inherited my mom’s big crockpot, so I might have to try this.
I’m assuming this comes out crunchy, like the baked version does? I have not made it yet.
My mother always bought just one flavor of Chex to make party mix to save money (instead of having to buy 3 boxes). Just an idea for anyone looking to save $$.
Yep, it’s crunchy just like the baked version!
I LOVE Chex Mix, but have never made it. And please don’t take this question as being negative in any way ……… Your recipe says that I have to stir frequently for a total of 110 minutes. (yikes!) Do you have to do this with the baked version too? If I have to stir that often, I think I’ll continue to buy it. GREAT to have a recipe, though, especially for people who need to lower their sodium intake and dabble with recipes to do that.
Yes, you do have to stir the baked version as well to ensure that it browns evenly. It sounds like a lot, but it’s really most important as you get to the end of the cooking time when the crockpot has really heated up. I stir it about every 15 minutes to start and then every 10 minutes toward the end.
I made this for a get together this weekend and it was awesome! I could not stop eating it as it cooled off! This is a keeper to make as a snack for the kids or for a party!
So glad you liked it, Melissa! I love it when it’s still warm too.
Thanks for sharing. GO BUCKS!
Have to try this one as well!
Just wondering if you think this would work with puppy chow???
Making this now…so far, so good :)