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Quick Sweet & Spicy Buffalo Ranch Chex Mix

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This quick sweet and spicy buffalo ranch Chex mix is the perfect snack for game days, movie nights, or any occasion. It combines the heat of buffalo sauce with the coolness of ranch and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, all coating crunchy Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex, or a mix of both)
  • 3 cups mini pretzels (twisty kind work best)
  • 2 cups cheese crackers (like Goldfish or Cheese Nips)
  • 1 cup mixed nuts (salted peanuts and cashews recommended)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1/4 cup buffalo hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (one packet, or homemade blend below)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • For Homemade Ranch Seasoning (optional): 2 tablespoons dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspo…

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 9 cups Chex cereal, 3 cups mini pretzels, 2 cups cheese crackers, and 1 cup mixed nuts. Stir to distribute evenly.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter (30-40 seconds). Whisk in 1/4 cup buffalo hot sauce, 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder until smooth.
  4. Slowly pour the coating mixture over the dry ingredients while stirring with a spatula. Fold until every piece is evenly coated and glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Use a second sheet if needed.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack, at least 30-45 minutes. The mix will crisp up as it cools.
  8. Once cool, break apart any large clusters. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

For a spicier mix, increase buffalo sauce to 1/3 cup. For less heat, use 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce. The mix tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. For the air fryer method, cook at 250°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chex mix, buffalo ranch, sweet and spicy, snack mix, game day snack, party snack, easy snack mix

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/quick-sweet-and-spicy-buffalo-ranch-chex-mix/