Oven-Baked Christmas Chex Mix with Cheez-Its
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. If you’re planning a holiday spread, this pairs well with a creamy spinach dip or a simple cheese board for easy entertaining.
Servings: 12
Calories: 809kcal
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.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
Whisking the butter and seasonings first evenly distributes the flavor. Baking the snack mix low and slow allows the cereal and crackers to toast evenly without burning. Stirring on a regular schedule is key for consistent texture throughout.
Tips for Best Results
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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 809kcal | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 2086mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1255IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 20mg
