Ranch Chex Mix is a crunchy snack made with Bugles, Cheez-Its, pretzels, oyster crackers, and Wheat Chex coated in butter, ranch seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Make it in the air fryer or oven for an easy savory snack that’s perfect for parties, game day, or movie night.
This is an easy snack mix I make when I want something crunchy and savory that everyone can grab by the handful. The ranch and Parmesan give every piece plenty of flavor, and I like that I can make it quickly in the air fryer or bake a larger batch in the oven.
Why I Love Ranch Chex Mix
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Bugles: Add a light, crispy crunch and fun shape to the snack mix.
- Cheez-Its: Bring cheesy flavor and another crunchy texture.
- Mini Pretzels: Add a salty crunch and help balance the cheesy crackers.
- Oyster Crackers: Soak up the buttery ranch seasoning while staying crisp.
- Wheat Chex: The cereal catches plenty of the butter and seasoning in all those little pockets.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps the ranch and Parmesan stick evenly to the snack mix.
- Ranch Seasoning: Gives the Chex Mix its main ranch flavor. You can use a packaged mix or your homemade ranch seasoning.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, cheesy finish that pairs perfectly with the ranch.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Ranch Chex Mix
Air Fryer Directions:
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (if applicable for your appliance).
- Prepare Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine Bugles, Cheez-Its, pretzels, oyster crackers, and Chex cereal.
- Melt Butter: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- Coat with Butter: Pour the melted butter over the Chex mix in the bowl. Use a spatula or large spoon to carefully stir the mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated with butter.
- Prepare Seasoning: In a separate small bowl, mix together the Ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
- Season Chex Mix: Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the Chex mix and gently stir to distribute. Then, add the remaining half of the seasoning mixture and stir until the Chex mixture is evenly coated.
- Air Fry Chex: Pour half of the coated Chex mix into the air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry for about 3-6 minutes until the ranch seasoning is baked into the Chex mix and the tops turn golden brown. Check occasionally to avoid burning.
- Repeat for Remaining Mix: Repeat the air frying process with the second half of the Chex mix.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Ranch Chex Mix to cool slightly before transferring it to a serving bowl. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Oven:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Bake in Oven: Spread half of the coated Chex mix onto a large baking sheet in an even layer. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the Chex mix is crispy and the seasoning is baked in.
- Repeat for Remaining Mix: Repeat the process with the second half of the Chex mix, spreading it onto another baking sheet and baking it in the oven until crispy and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Ranch Chex Mix to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring it to a serving bowl. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Mix the dry ingredients first: Combine the Bugles, Cheez-Its, pretzels, oyster crackers, and Chex before adding the butter so everything is evenly distributed.
- Coat everything well: Toss the snack mix thoroughly with the melted butter before adding the ranch and Parmesan so the seasoning sticks to every piece.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Cook in batches if needed so the hot air can circulate and the mix gets evenly toasted.
- Shake the basket while cooking: Give the air fryer basket a shake a couple of times to help the Chex Mix toast evenly.
- Let it cool completely: The Ranch Chex Mix will become even crunchier as it cools, so let it sit before storing or serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Appetizers I Love
Yield: 5 cups
Ranch Chex Mix
No Ratings
Crunchy Ranch Chex Mix coated with buttery ranch seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup Bugles
- 1 cup Cheez-Its
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup oyster crackers
- 1 cup wheat Chex
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning Or Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
Instructions
Air Fryer Directions:
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (if applicable for your appliance).
- Prepare Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine Bugles, Cheez-Its, pretzels, oyster crackers, and Chex cereal.
- Melt Butter: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- Coat with Butter: Pour the melted butter over the Chex mix in the bowl. Use a spatula or large spoon to carefully stir the mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated with butter.
- Prepare Seasoning: In a separate small bowl, mix together the Ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
- Season Chex Mix: Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the Chex mix and gently stir to distribute. Then, add the remaining half of the seasoning mixture and stir until the Chex mixture is evenly coated.
- Air FryChex: Pour half of the coated Chex mix into the air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry for about 3-6 minutes until the ranch seasoning is baked into the Chex mix and the tops turn golden brown. Check occasionally to avoid burning.
- Repeat for Remaining Mix: Repeat the air frying process with the second half of the Chex mix.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Ranch Chex Mix to cool slightly before transferring it to a serving bowl. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Oven Directions
- Bake in Oven: Spread half of the coated Chex mix onto a large baking sheet in an even layer. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the Chex mix is crispy and the seasoning is baked in.
- Repeat for Remaining Mix: Repeat the process with the second half of the Chex mix, spreading it onto another baking sheet and baking it in the oven until crispy and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Ranch Chex Mix to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring it to a serving bowl. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Notes
Toss the snack mix well with the melted butter so the ranch seasoning and Parmesan coat everything evenly. If using the air fryer, cook in batches if needed and shake the basket during cooking. Let the Chex Mix cool completely before storing so it stays crunchy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 569Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 1151mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 15g
