Every party needs something sweet, something salty, something light and something indulgent. This ranch slow cooker chex mix is both salty and addicting!
This post is sponsored on behalf of Glad and Hidden Valley Ranch. All opinions are our own.
What is it about a big bowl of snack mix that’s so irresistible? It doesn’t matter that I literally just finished a meal, or dessert, or both, I see a big bowl full of a sweet or salty snack mix, much like this ranch slow cooker chex mix and something in me awakens. Must. Try. It!
Are Slow Cookers Safe?
Slow Cookers are safe for countertop cooking for extended periods of time.
It is safe to leave your slow cooker on while you are out of the house.
The slow cooker runs on very low wattage, allowing you to cook a meal over an 8-10 hour period of time.
We ran off to Walmart the other day as I needed a few decorations and baking needs for an upcoming holiday party and I didn’t want to drive all over town, getting myself and a baby in and out of the car for hours. One stop was all I had the energy for. While inside I noticed a little package of oyster crackers. Yes, oyster crackers.
Our oldest daughter got it in her head that she wanted some with chicken soup, but I continually forgot to buy them. Well, I tossed them in the cart, the way we all do and then I noticed a box of Cheez-it crackers on sale so suddenly I was tossing that in too, and heck, if the pretzels are 2/$3 why the heck not?!
Glad Press’n Seal
Just as I was about to check out I realized if I was going to buy this I better make it into something for the party. Someone had ditched a roll of Glad® Press’n Seal® by the bin o’ movies and suddenly I knew what to do. A snack mix in the slow cooker and I could cover our counter with the Press’n Seal so they could dry and I wouldn’t have to clean again.
That’s my thing. When we have a party I do as much prep work ahead of time as possible so the party is never a stress and I can enjoy it.
A Slow cooker is a great option to set and forget and the Press’n Seal not only allowed the crackers to cool without pulling out a pan, but I also threw the snack into the serving bowl and covered it so I really was ready without needing to fill dishes and arrange food.
What’s in Ranch Slow Cooker Chex Mix?
Each item is needed as the pretzels bring the salty but in a different way.
Yes, size and shape actually do make an impact on the end result of a dish.
The oyster crackers were buttery pillows, the cheez-its perfectly cheesy, the corn Chex give an overall fall harvest vibe and the peanuts get a little more round and add a totally different feel in the mix.
Pull out your Hidden Valley® Ranch packet that I know you have lying around from making our 3 ingredients slow cooker roast. It’s the ranchiest so don’t you dare not use it, mix it with a little sugar and Karo syrup to create a nice, crunchy coating, oil for the roasting and worcestershire. That will really pump up the savory factor.
Chex Mix in the Oven
Preheat the oven 250°F.
Transfer the Chex Mix onto two baking sheets, spreading it into an even layer.
Bake the Chex Mix for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely then serve.
How to Make Chex Mix in a Slow Cooker
Pour everything in the slow cooker, stirring occasionally.
Pour out to cool on two pieces of Glad Press’n Seal up to 2 days ahead of time (see, get it done early!!).
Then store everything in the serving bowl (how fun is this one?!) with Press’n Seal over the top.
Discard the plastic from the table.
You are going to be munching on this stuff all day until your guests arrive, just to warn you! Hide that stuff where you wont be tempted!
More Snack Recipes to Eat by the Handful:
- Muddy Buddies Mix
- Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn
- Churro Chex Mix
- 5 Minute Reese’s Snack Mix
- Coconut Sweet Chex Mix
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
- Salt & Vinegar Popcorn
- Easy Candied Pretzels
- Parmesan Herb Pretzel Nibblers
- Apple Pie Popcorn
- Cinnamon Roll Pretzel Bites
- Garlic Parmesan Dill Popcorn
- Churro Popcorn
- Reese’s Krispies Popcorn
- Coconut Oil Kettle Corn
- All our yummy Snack Recipes!
Ranch Slow Cooker Chex Mix
Description
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Butter, melted
- 1 Packet Ranch Dressing Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Karo Syrup
- 4 Cups Corn Chex
- 3 Cups Mini Pretzels
- 3 Cups Oyster Crackers
- 3 Cups Cheezit Crackers
- 1 Cup Dry Roasted Lightly Salted Peanuts
Instructions
- In a glass measuring cup, melt the butter in 15 second intervals in the microwave until melted.
- Stir in the dressing packet, Worcestershire, light karo syrup and sugar.
- Line a slow cooker with cooking spray.
- In a very large boil, add the cereal, crackers, pretzels, peanuts and pour the dressing all over and toss well to combine.
- Spread everything into the slow cooker and cook on low, stirring every 15-30 minutes for 2-3 hours.
- Store in an airtight container once cooled for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Candied Nuts Snack Mix
Everything you could want in a snack, crunchy, salty, sweet, chocolate and bursts of bright, juicy fruit flavor. 
The Perfect Soft Pretzel
If there’s anything I can convince you to try this week it would be these big, fat, fluffy soft pretzels.
Ranch Slow Cooker Chex Mix Made Easy
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Glad & Hidden Valley Ranch. The opinions and text are all mine.
Alli Forsyth
We love the slow cooker Chex mix. When i scroll to the recipe it is for a smoked Chex mix for the smoker? Just wondering how to get your recipe for the slow cooker@
Sweet Basil
Hey Alli! This should be the correct link for the slow cooker chex mix. There are instructions for the slow cooker or oven on the recipe card. I just photographed a smoked chex mix in the smoker, but I still need to write it up. Stay tuned for that one!
Connie
I long will the Chex mix last?
Sweet Basil
Hi Connie! About 4-6 days in an airtight container.
Connie Young
I was nervous about mis burning so I tossed every 30 minutes…no burning or sticking!!
Great snack!!
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the feedback Connie!
Denise Mauzy
How long can I store in Mason jars ?
Sweet Basil
Hey Denise! These will last for 4-6 in an airtight container.
Eve Hunt
“This recipie delicious and I love the Asian flavors and ingredients you have used here. This is the kind of meal my family loves. We’ll be having it soon. I hope you have a great day. Blessings.
“
Gloria
Please send recipes to my email. Thank you.
Sweet Basil
Done!
Netty
Just like the others making as the recipe states, it turned out burned and not edible. I remade it and didn’t do sugar or syrup just butter Worcestershire and ranch mix and put in the oven on 250 for an hour and stirred every so often and it turned out great.
Becky
I was wondering what you could use instead of Karo Syrup? I have never heard of that?
Sweet Basil
Hi Becky! You can make your own simple syrup (1 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water), or use honey, agave, or maple syrup.
Nutritionist Mira
I appreciate this recipe with all healthy ingredients. This proved to be very helpful and was different from others. I hope you will upload more recipes like this.
Sweet Basil
Thank you!! It is one of our favorite snacks for parties!
Tricia
My batch burned as well. Disappointed since the ingredients costs me almost $15.00. There seems to be a definite difference between the “low” temperature on your crock pot vs. many others.
Sweet Basil
Hi Tricia, Were you stirring often and making sure to pull up all of the pieces from the bottom. We’ve made this in all three of our slow cookers and have yet to have an issue, so just trying to figure out what could be happening.
Jessica
Wow! This is delicious!! Made it last week to take on a trip with us, and only about 1/4 of it made it to the trip (due to the rest being eaten before)…the last 1/4 got devoured the first quarter of the trip! Definitely a keeper! Thanks!
Sweet Basil
haha, that’s definitely a good thing!! xoxo
Lori
If you double the recipe do you increase the cook time?
Sweet Basil
We have without any need to double the time
Emily
A couple questions,
First- with the sugar and corn syrup, does this make it sweet? I’m looking for a really ranch-y flavor.
Second- couldn’t I do this in, say, a baking dish in the oven? To avoid the burning that everyone is talking about.
Thank you! 🙂
Sweet Basil
It doesn’t end up sweet at all but it does help everything to stick to the crackers.
Yes, you could, but I think it’s the mixing often that will be the most helpful.
Cindy Moes Little
I read the reviews about the mix burning so I used a crock pot liner, set on low & completely stirred every 30 minutes. Between the 2 hour stir & 2 1/2 hour stir it had burned to the bottom. I am not impressed with the process. The entire mix tastes of the burned pieces that were dispersed throughout the mixture. There is no separating the burned from the non burned. It ended up in the waste basket. I’m glad I did make this 2 days ahead of my planned family gathering was recommended. It allows me adequate time to rebound and make a batch of regular Chex mix.
Sweet Basil
Hmmmm, I’m still pretty convinced that slow cookers heat differently as now years later we still have yet to have any issues. I’m sorry that you experienced that.
Jacki
What size crockpot did you use for this recipe? I’m looking to make a double batch, so not sure if I’ll need to make the two batches separately? Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Hi Jacki, it’s 6Qt.
Debra
Did not care for the flavor combination at all. The sugar and corn syrup burned in the crock pot even though I stirred it every hour and left it on low. Sorry, not a keeper for us.
Sweet Basil
Hi Debra,
The mixture shouldn’t have burned at all unless the heating elements are going higher than low. I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy the flavors. Everyone definitely has their own flavors they love. Thanks for commenting.
Debbie
I have to say the first time I made it, it also burned in the crock pot – I had it on low. I had to pick out several black pieces before I served it. I liked the flavor but will use the oven next time….
Sweet Basil
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for sharing. The tricky thing about recipes is that all appliances don’t cook the same and this is a good reminder. Definitely wise to watch how things are going and never miss stirring. If you notice it’s cooking faster always stir more often than once an hour. Glad you enjoyed the flavor but wish I could have saved you the burned pieces.
Char
Like the flavor but my batch also burned. Disappointed.
Sweet Basil
Hi Char, were you stirring often and was the slow cooker over heating?
Andrea schmoel
This is in my crock pot right now and it smells delicious! Thanks for the recipe. Merry Christmas ?
Sweet Basil
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! Merry Christmas!
Denise
I made it for my family. Delicious
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Denise!
Sue
How long does this keep? Planning to make for Christmas, plus some extra to add to gift baskets. Thanks!!
Sweet Basil
Actually, we kept ours for two weeks and it was still good!
Betsy
I’ve had family members keep this in the freezer throughout December and its always been tasty!
Sweet Basil
Oh that’s a great idea!
Conni
Fast help please….Do you mean the HR DIP mix or the Salad dressing mix???
You mentioned both…Store trip tomorrow :>)
Thanks, Conni
Sweet Basil
Actually, both work fantastic. Dressing mix is what we often use but last week I used the dip:)
Carolyn
Awesome idea for Chex Mix. My kids would love this.
Sweet Basil
Thanks Carolyn!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
So smart to make this in a slow cooker!!
Sweet Basil
It definitely made things easier!
Jenny Flake
My family goes nuts for Chex Mix! Love this!
Sweet Basil
Such a great snack for the family. Thanks Jenny!
Nicole
My mom used to make buckets of Chex Mix around the holidays when I was a kid! I love your version 🙂
Sweet Basil
Isn’t there this wonderful pull when you have a dish that you grew up with?
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
Yum! I can’t wait to try this one out!
Sweet Basil
Thanks girl!