12 Sweet, Salty, and Totally Irresistible Ways to Make Chex Party Mix

Whether you know it as snack mix or Chex Party Mix, the combination of rice chex cereals, pretzels, and crackers toasted in butter and spices is hard to resist. It is also easy to make for a crowd (you don’t even need an oven) or to keep on hand for snacks throughout the week. While Chex mix is can be made without a recipe (or off the back of a cereal box following a recipe means you’ll avoid common pitfalls and have the best, crunchiest snack mix each time.

Turns out we have a Life Magazine advertisement to thank for one of our favorite party snacks, where it first appeared in 1952. The original recipe was decidedly savory and included Wheat and Rice Chex, but these days you can find hundreds of variations that are made with all types of Chex, other cereals, crackers, candy, dried fruit and even sprinkles. These 16 recipes for Chex party mix include sweet and savory varieties, smart spice upgrades and saucy additions that are all irresistible.

Why yes, this is the homemade version of your favorite super-crunchy snack mix! While it is perfect for a party, it makes very good after school snack fodder, too.

Recipe: Honey-Mustard Snack Mix

Being able to cook this popular snack in the slow cooker has saved me more times than I can count. You can use this technique anytime your oven is busy with other things, but it’s also great for office parties, tailgating, or during a kitchen remodel.

Get the recipe: How To Make Slow-Cooker Chex Party Mix

Creamy, crispy, and cinnamon scented, this Chex mix tastes a lot like one of our favorite fried dough treats: the Mexican Churro . Classic corn and wheat Chex cereal are the base of this treat, but caramel and cinnamon really play up their sweet flavors.

Recipe: Churro Chex Mix

Tajín, a spice blend of chili powder, salt, and dehydrated lime juice, is spicy, salty, and a little tangy all at once. It’s most commonly sprinkled over fresh fruit, but we love it on this buttery cereal-and-cracker mix, too.

Recipe: Tajín Chex Mix

Think of this as classic Chex mix with its Sunday best on. Brown butter and honey roasted peanuts really amp up the sweet and salty flavors of our favorite snack mix.

Recipe: Fast & Fancy Chex Mix

This decidedly sweet version of snack mix is based on one of our favorite candy bars. Make this for movie night and your friends will never want to leave.

Recipe: Snickers Chex Mix

This nostalgic take on our favorite sandwich uses dried cherries and creamy peanut butter chips for easy snack-able flavor. While most schools won’t allow peanut products these days, this would make a great grown-up lunch box treat.

Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Chex Mix

This is the one snack mix you need for every game day, tailgate, and cook out. All other snack mixes are left in the dust of this speedy, spicy Chex mix.

Recipe: Buffalo-Style Chex Mix

Dried fruit and crisp coconut just belong in snack mix — and this version is proof. This is one of my personal favorite variations because you can’t find this unique twist on Chex mix in any store and guests are always impressed!

Recipe: Tropical Chex Mix

You’re definitely going to need napkins for your cheese fingers from this one! Chili seasoning and cheese powder are easy upgrades to Chex mix and makes it even harder to resist.

Recipe: Chili Cheese Chex Mix

Taco seasoning is living its very best life on Chex mix! No need for lots of little teaspoons of various spices for your snack mix when you can just use your favorite spice blend to make the whole batch taste like chilis, onions, and garlic!

Recipe:Tex-Mex Chex Mix

This one is for kids and those of us who are young at heart. Mini-marshmallows and chocolate chips are so playful when paired with cheesy crackers and salty pretzels. You can skip the nuts if you need to keep it allergy friendly.

Recipe: Rocky Road Chex Mix