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This Slow Cooker Ranch Chex Mix recipe is the perfect combination of zesty ranch seasoning, cheesy goodness, and crunchy textures. It’s a snack you’ll want to keep on hand for yourself and to make to share with others at your next potluck or game day gathering.
If you’d like to leave out the ranch flavor, then you’ll want to check out my Slow Cooker Chex Mix recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Try This Ranch Chex Mix Recipe
If you’ve never tried making snack mix in a slow cooker before, you’re in for a treat! Using a crock pot for this recipe not only makes the process incredibly easy, but it also ensures that every single bite is perfectly seasoned and coated evenly.
This is one of my favorite recipes when I’m looking to feed a crowd or have something on hand for the kids to snack on throughout the day.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salted Butter: I use salted butter for that extra flavor kick, but you can use unsalted if you prefer.
- Ranch dressing: You can add more or less depending on how much of a ranch kick you want.
- Onion salt & powder: I like to use onion salt and powder because of the sweetness it brings to the ranch dressing. It is a personal choice and can easily be substituted with garlic salt and garlic powder.
- Rice Chex cereal: The perfect base for the snack mix.
- Pretzel sticks: Adds a salty crunch to the mix.
- Cheerios Original: For that classic cereal crunch.
- Goldfish cheese crackers: These cheesy crackers add an extra layer of cheesy flavor.
- Cocktail peanuts: Opt for peanuts with a bit of extra oil for maximum flavor, but roasted or Spanish nuts work too. (The full recipe is in the recipe card below the photos).
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add the ranch dressing to the slow cooker that has melted butter in it.
Step Two – Add in the onion salt, and onion powder. Mix until combined.
Step Three – Add the rice Chex cereals.
Step Four – Pour in the pretzel sticks, Cheerios, Gold Fish, and cocktail peanuts.
Step Five – Using a big spoon or spatula, carefully mix the cereal mixture together until coated with the butter mixture.
Step Six – Cover and cook the zesty ranch chex mix on LOW for 3 hours and mix every 30 minutes.
Step Seven – Pour the mixture on a cookie sheet to cool off completely, for about 1 hour. Transfer the cereal mix to an air-tight container. Enjoy!
How to Serve
- Serve it warm and fresh for a cozy snack that’s perfect for movie nights or lazy days at home.
- Pack it into individual baggies for a convenient snack to take with you wherever you go.
- Sprinkle it over salads, soups, or even mac and cheese for an extra burst of flavor and crunch.
- Set out bowls of the party mix at your next gathering and watch it disappear before your eyes.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on your preferences. Just keep in mind that certain substitutions may alter the flavor slightly.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy. They should last for several days if stored properly.
Yes! You can prepare the snack mix ahead of time and store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to enjoy it. Just make sure it is completely cooled before storing.
More Slow Cooker Snack Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Easter Peanut Clusters
- Slow Cooker Candied Pecanst
- Slow Cooker Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 Tbsp. Ranch dressing mix, If you want a more robust Ranch flavor you can add an additional tablespoon, which will lead to 2 tablespoons total which is equal to a Ranch dressing packet
- 1 tsp. onion salt, you can substitute with garlic salt
- 1 tsp. onion powder, you can substitute with garlic powder
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups pretzel sticks, or mini pretzels
- 2 cups Cheerios Original
- 1 cup Gold Fish, or Cheez-Its
- 1 cup cocktail peanuts
Instructions
- Pour melted butter into the slow cooker. (I melted my butter in the microwave, however, you can put a stick of butter at room temperature in the slow cooker, cover it, and put it on high. The butter will melt while you are getting the ingredients out.)
- Once the butter is melted (if you let it melt in the slow cooker), add the ranch dressing, onion salt, and onion powder. Mix until combined. (I like to use onion salt and powder because of the sweetness it brings to the ranch dressing. It is a personal choice and can easily be substituted with garlic salt and garlic powder.)
- Add the rice Chex cereals, pretzel sticks, Cheerios, Gold Fish, and cocktail peanuts.
- Carefully (you don’t want to break the dry ingredients) mix all ingredients together until coated with the butter mixture. I like using a big fork and big spoon (think serving utensils), but you could use wood spoons, and spatulas as well.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 3 hours, mixing every 30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture on a cookie sheet to cool off completely, for about 1 hour.
- Transfer the mixture to an air-tight container.
Sarah’s Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy. They should last for several days if stored properly.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
