Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix

Heeeeaven help me. Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix, my friends!

First things first, are you ready for turkey day tomorrow? Bird thawed (that’s important, I think,) pies prepped, sides planned, and potatoes peeled? One of my favorite time-saving, mashed potato-making tricks is to peel then chop your potatoes and store them in the refrigerator completely submerged in a bowl of water for up to 24 hours ahead of time so you don’t have to prep 10lbs of potatoes on Thanksgiving day. Who’s got the time, especially when there’s boatloads of Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix to be devoured?!

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Chex Mix is a staple at Ben’s and my family holiday gatherings. My Mom uses double the spices and gobs of Worcestershire sauce in her recipe, while Ben’s Mom adds Cheerios and party peanuts to hers. Well guess what? I’m a Mom now so I thought I’d come up with my own go-to Chex Mix concoction, and gluten-free Buffalo-Cheddar Ranch Mix is it. So, so it!

Rice and Corn Chex combined with homemade ranch dip seasoning mix, a bit of butter, and spicy buffalo wing sauce are microwaved for four minutes (FOUR MINUTES!) then tossed with crispy gluten-free cheese crackers and buffalo pretzels, and salted peanuts, for a homemade Chex Mix that’s spicy, cheesy, crunchy – in short, craveable.

I cannot overemphasize how simple this snack mix is to make – we’re talking no more than 15 minutes from box to taste buds. Five minutes to prep, five minutes to cook (including stirring,) and 5 minutes to cool. How simple is that??

Buffalo and ranch dressing are a classic combination of mouthwatering flavors and I really love the addition of crispy cheese crackers in here. I’ll show you the gluten-free ones I used below, but if you don’t need to make this recipe gluten-free, you could use Cheeze Its instead. That said I loved the GF crackers so much that I’d encourage anyone to give them a try.

Whether you whip up this homemade Chex Mix as a snack to enjoy before your Thanksgiving feast, for a party, football watching, movie night, or any night – enjoy!

Start by adding 5 cups each Corn and Rice Chex to a very large, microwave-safe bowl.

Next melt 1/4 cup butter for 35-40 seconds then stir in 1/3 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce (not hot sauce) a dash or more of cayenne pepper, and a homemade ranch dip seasoning mix containing, 1 Tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed, and 1/2 teaspoon each dried chives and salt. I tried this recipe a few times without the cayenne pepper but I loved the extra bit of heat it brought to each bite!

Pour the mixture over the cereal then toss with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.

Then microwave for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Next add 2 cups each gluten-free buffalo wing pretzels sticks and cheese crackers. Normally when making Chex Mix you’d toss the crackers and pretzels with the chex cereal and spices but GF crackers and pretzels don’t hold up well to being sauced then heated so adding pre-seasoned mix-ins is key.

As I mentioned, these Crunchmaster cheese crackers are BOMB. They’re super crispy like a chip and don’t taste fake. I’m also obsessed with these Snyder gluten-free pretzels. They taste exactly like the regular ones – I would have no idea they weren’t gluten-filled if I didn’t buy them myself!

Also add 1 cup salted peanuts then stir to combine and spread the Chex Mix out on wax paper to cool.

Start snacking immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve!

Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix

Gluten-Free Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix takes just 4 minutes to cook and has the perfect amount of seasonings and spice.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 619 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 5 cups Corn Chex
• 5 cups Rice Chex
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce not hot sauce
• 2 cups gluten-free buffalo-flavored pretzel sticks
• 2 cups gluten-free cheese crisps
• 1 cup salted peanuts

For the Ranch Dressing Mix:

• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• dash or more cayenne pepper

Instructions

 

• Add Chex cereals to a very large, microwave-safe bowl then set aside. Add Ranch Dressing Mix ingredients to a small bowl then stir to combine and set aside.
• Microwave butter for 35 seconds or until melted then stir in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing mix. Pour over Chex cereals then stir until well coated.
• Microwave for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, then add pretzels, cheese crackers, and peanuts, and then stir to combine. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool then store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 619kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 21gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 1617mgPotassium: 389mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2158IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 476mgIron: 16mg

Keyword gluten free

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I hope you and this homemade Buffalo Cheddar-Ranch Chex Mix have a very happy Thanksgiving. Not to be cheesy, but I am so thankful for all of YOU for making it possible to do what I love everyday. Wishing you happy hearts and full stomachs!