Slow Cooker Party Mix | Chex® and Crispix® Recipes | The Smart Slow Cooker (2024)

Oven-baked vs. Slow Cooker

The original Chex® Mix and Crispix® Mix recipes offer cooking instructions for both the slow cooker and oven:

• Oven-baked Party Mix: 250°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

• Slow Cooker Party Mix: Cook uncovered for 1-2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.

The slow cooker version takes a bit longer than the oven version, but it is easier. Why? You need to stir the snack mix every 15 minutes with either method. It is more convenient to stir the party mix on your countertop versus repeatedly opening the oven.

Bottom line: cooking the mixture uncovered in your slow cooker ensures a crispy, crunchy texture and is less trouble than the oven.

Classic Snack Mix Flavors vs. New

As it happens, we’d never made cereal snack mix over here. Nor does it evoke childhood memories — it was not served at holiday gatherings or offered in game day spreads. So when a favorite cooking challenge asked for something “crunchy,” we didn’t feel compelled to recreate the original Chex mix flavors.

While much of the internet seems geared towards “extra bold” Chex mix, we dialed back on the usual ingredients and experimented with add-ins like a chili lime seasoning.

The slightly sweet and salty snack mix recipe below has the zest and mild heat that my family enjoys, without the over-the-top flavors of the original. If you don’t have a favorite spice like Stardust on hand, refer to the classic Chex® Mix or Crispix® Mix original recipes as a starting point, then experiment with other salty, sweet, citrus, or spicy flavors.

If you enjoy the original Chex recipe flavors, then increase the amount of Worcestershire, onion, and garlic below.

Slow Cooker Chex Mix // Party Mix Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 cups Crispix® or Chex® (approximately 6 oz. of Crispix)

• 2 cups tiny pretzels or other snack crackers (any shape)

• 1-2 cups mixed nuts (raw or roasted)

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon of Rancho Gordo’s Stardust Dipping Powder

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

  See Also

  Praline Crunch - Plain Chicken

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

1. Place cereal, nuts, and pretzels in a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker.

2. Stir together remaining ingredients, mix well, and drizzle over cereal mixture. Carefully stir with a rubber spatula until cereal mixture is evenly coated.

3. Cook, uncovered, on LOW or HIGH for 1-2 hours, stirring carefully every 15 minutes, until crispy and lightly toasted. Spread the mixture on a large baking sheet or paper towels. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

   Note: LOW works best on our slow cooker, but you can try HIGH and turn down if too hot.

Cooking Notes

• Make sure to avoid any powdered bits of cereal at the bottom of the bag.

• Mix in any snack ingredients you prefer: cheese crackers, oyster crackers, mini bagel crisps, sesame sticks, pita chips, Bugles, Cheerios, etc.

• Any nuts will work — raw pecans, almonds, roasted cashews, and/or peanuts. If you want extra protein, increase the nuts.

• Other flavors to consider: soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, fresh garlic, ginger, Sriracha, honey, cayenne, curry powder, etc.

• Want it sweeter? Add more brown sugar.

• Crispix is a blend of corn and rice cereal, while Chex is packed individually as corn, rice, or wheat. Alternatively, you could use Barbara’s Multigrain Spoonfuls.

More Resources & Flavors

• Homesick Texan: Chipotle Lime Texas Trash

• Serious Eats: Chaat-Spiced Chex Mix Recipe

• Smitten Kitchen: Popcorn Party Mix

• Even All-Bran wants in on the fun with a healthy Crunchy Party Mix recipe.

• The New York Times: Chex, Already a Ubiquitous Holiday Party Snack, Trots Out New Recipes

• And yes, if following aCook’s Country or America’s Test Kitchen Chex Mix recipe, you’ll still want to cook it uncovered in the slow cooker.