This Oven-Baked Christmas Chex Mix with Cheez-Its is make-ahead friendly, crowd-ready, and perfect for holiday snacking. It's a savory snack mix recipe made with Chex cereal, Cheez-Its, pretzels, and a buttery Worcestershire seasoning, all baked low and slow for even crunch.
Love this recipe? Try our Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts or our Blue Cheese Cheese Ball for easy entertaining.
Oven-Baked Chex Mix at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 1 hour
- 👥 Servings: 12-16
- 🔥 Cook Method: Oven-baked (low and slow)
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): American snack mix
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Creamy spinach dip and a holiday cheese board.
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
We've made this every December for family movie nights, and we always keep a jar on the counter for easy holiday snacking. ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Oven-Baked: Baking the mix low and slow ensures evenly seasoned pieces without soggy spots.
- Balanced Cheese Flavor: Cheez-Its add richness without overpowering the cereal or other crunchy elements.
- Nut-Free: No nuts means it's easy to adapt for kid-friendly holiday gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well at room temperature, making it ideal for holiday prep and gifting. Just like these Spicy Firecracker Oyster Crackers!
Key Ingredients
- Chex Cereal (corn, rice, and wheat): We use a mix for texture and balance, just like classic Chex party mix recipes. Love Chex mix recipes? Save our Halloween Snack Mix for later!
- Cheez-Its: These add a cheesy, savory note that pairs well with Worcestershire sauce.
- Pretzels: They bring salt and structure so the mix doesn't feel cereal-heavy.
- Bagel chips and Rye Chips: These add crunch and depth, especially for adults.
- Butter: Melted butter helps the seasoning cling and encourages even browning.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This is the backbone of the savory flavor.
- Seasoned Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Simple pantry spices that keep the mix familiar and balanced.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Garlic & Rye Chips: Use Bugles or plain bagel chips.
- Cheez-Its: Swap with white cheddar crackers or plain cheese crackers.
- Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne for gentle heat.
- Presentation: Serve in holiday bowls or portion into gift tins.
How To Make Oven-Baked Christmas Chex Mix with Cheez-Its
STEP ONE: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Add all cereals, crackers, and chips directly to a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet, then toss gently to combine.
STEP TWO: Whisk the Seasoning
In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter with Worcestershire sauce and seasonings until smooth and well blended.
STEP THREE: Coat the Mix
Pour the butter mixture evenly over the dry ingredients. Toss thoroughly in the pan until everything is evenly coated.
STEP FOUR: Bake Low and Slow
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes for even toasting. Cool completely before serving or storing.
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Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Stir every 15 minutes for even baking.
✔️ DO Bake low and slow for the best crunch.
❌ DO NOT Skip cooling time before storing.
Storage
Store the cooled Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Freezing is not recommended. No reheating needed.
Oven-Baked Christmas Chex Mix FAQs
Chex Mix should be baked at 250°F for the best results. Baking at a low temperature allows the butter and Worcestershire seasoning to coat the cereal evenly while drying it out slowly, which prevents burning and creates a crisp, evenly baked Chex mix.
People bake Chex Mix because oven baking creates a more consistent crunch. The slow heat helps moisture evaporate evenly, which gives oven-baked Chex mix better texture and prevents soggy spots.
Common mistakes include baking at too high a temperature, not stirring during baking, or adding too much liquid seasoning. These issues can cause uneven browning, overly salty pieces, or soft cereal instead of a crisp snack mix.
The three most common types of Chex Mix are savory, sweet, and spicy. Savory Chex mix uses butter and Worcestershire sauce, sweet versions often include chocolate or powdered sugar, and spicy mixes add heat with chili or cayenne.
Chex Mix can be made several days in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. In fact, the flavors often improve after resting overnight, making it a great make-ahead holiday snack mix.
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📖 Recipe
Oven-Baked Christmas Chex Mix with Cheez-Its
Equipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan
- Spatula or large spoon
- Parchment paper (optional but recommended)
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex
- 3 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Whole Wheat Chex
- 2 cups pretzel twists
- 2 cups Stacy's garlic bagel chips
- 2 cups Gardetto's rye chips
- 2 cups Cheez-Its original or white cheddar
- 1¾ sticks melted unsalted butter (14 tablespoons)
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Use a large rimmed roasting pan or baking sheet. A nonstick pan works well as-is, but parchment paper may be used if preferred.
- Add the Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Whole Wheat Chex, pretzels, bagel chips, rye chips, and Cheez-Its directly to the roasting pan. Toss gently to evenly distribute the mix.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until fully blended and smooth.
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the snack mix in the pan. Use a spatula or large spoon to toss thoroughly, making sure all pieces are well coated.
- Spread the mixture into an even layer. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to promote even toasting and prevent hot spots.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan. The snack mix will continue to crisp as it cools.
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Video
Notes
- Fully whisk the melted butter with the Worcestershire sauce and spices so the seasoning doesn't pool in one spot.
- Keep the oven at 250°F and stir every 15 minutes to prevent hot spots and uneven browning.
- Regular stirring keeps the Cheez-Its from over-toasting while the cereal crisps evenly.
- Let the mix cool fully before storing so trapped steam doesn't soften the crunch.
The mix should feel dry to the touch, lightly golden in spots, and smell toasted rather than buttery. Once cooled, every piece should be crisp with no soft or oily areas.
Jami Powell says
We make this holiday snack mix every year. It always disappears fast!