1Tbsp.Ranch dressing mixIf 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
1tsp.onion saltyou can substitute with garlic salt
1tsp.onion powderyou can substitute with garlic powder
6cupsRice Chex cereal
2cupspretzel sticksor mini pretzels
2cupsCheerios Original
1cupGold Fishor Cheez-Its
1cupcocktail 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.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh and crunchy. They should last for several days if stored properly.