Air Fryer Chex Mix

Learn how to make air fryer Chex mix a and crunchy snack mix that is packed with savory flavors in each bite. This is a twist to the oven-baked Chex mix you might know and love from when you are a child. Chex cereal, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, oyster crackers, and a blend of spices and herbs.

This is a Chex party mix that is a savory snack for the holiday season when you serve a crowd, whip up for a game day snacking, or have movie nights at home. This cereal mixture is so easy to throw together and cook up in your air fryer basket.

Consider trying this easy spicy Chex mix for another snack mix option. This is a spicy-flavored mixture. Or for a sweet take consider this white chocolate Chex mix!

Reasons Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Chex Mix

• A great homemade Chex mix for family game night, serving a crowd, or snacking on through the week.
• A snack that takes minimal ingredients to make. Plus this is a classic snack recipe that has been around for ages.
• Pick and choose what you want to add to the Chex mixture to customize your snack mix.
• Change the flavors to the recipe to create different flavors for this party snack mix.
• Works in a Ninja Foodi, Air Fryer Oven, Air Fryer Basket, and more.
• Cooks in much less time than a slow cooker version or oven-baked version, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Ingredients Needed

Here is a quick peek at what is needed for this easy snack mix. This was such a popular late 1980’s snack mix that was often made in the oven or in a slow cooker. This is still a mix that families all around the world enjoy!

• Chex Cereal – Corn Chex or Rice Chex are both great for this. You could even use wheat Chex if you prefer a little bit more crunch.
• Cheerios – we reached for plain cereal with no flavoring on it.
• Pretzels – We used mini pretzels and pretzel sticks for a mix of textures.
• Peanuts – Add some crunch by reaching for some roasted and unsalted peanuts. The small pieces add tons of crunch.
• Oyster Crackers – These bite-size crackers will cook up to a golden brown and crunchy texture.
• Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
• Butter – Salted butter or unsalted butter both work for this recipe.

How to Make

Full steps are featured below. This is a quick walkthrough on how to make the recipe.

1. ​Add your crackers, cereals, and peanuts to a bowl. Then toss to coat.
2. Next, you will grab a small saucepan and add the butter and all the spices. Bring to a boil stirring often.
3. Then once it is boiling, remove it from the stovetop and let it cool for 3-5 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture over the cereal, and toss to coat.
5. Add mixture to the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes. Shake the basket, and cook another 4 minutes.
6. Shake again and then cook for another 3-4 or until golden brown.
7. Remove and let cool.

Other Mix-In Ingredients

Pick and choose any or all of these items for a great addition to flavor. Add in some sweet for sweet and salty flavors to this recipe if you want.

• Cheese crackers – Cheez-Its, Gold Fish crackers, Etc.
• Gluten-Free Pretzels
• Bagel Chips
• Rye Chips
• Mixed Nuts
• Spicy Nuts or Wasabi Nuts
• Pumpkin Seeds or Sunflower Seeds
• Whole Grain Triscuits or Wheat Thins
• Sesame Sticks
• Dried Fruit
• Coconut Flakes
• Candies – Mix in once-cooled M&Ms, peanut butter cups, etc.
• Etc.

Tips for Success

Batch Cook

Make sure to batch-cook the mixture. Depending on how large or small the air fryer you will want to cook it in batches that way it evenly coats. The air fryer heats by hot air circulating so if it is too stacked it won’t cook evenly.

Coat Well

It is important to ensure that the butter mixture layers fully with the rest of the ingredients when you toss it together. That is the seasoning mixture and you want it to be spread around on all the pieces.

Shake/Stir Mixture

Make sure you shake or stir the mixture as directed in the recipe card. It is important to do this so all areas get nice and crisp, and the melted butter soaks in and cooks up on the mixture.

Cooling Before Storing

After the cooking time and your mixture is done spread it out on a baking sheet or even a pan. This is going to allow an even cooling on the tasty snack. You need the mixture to fully cool or it will create condensation if you place it in a container while it is still warm.

Air Fryer Ranch Chex Mix

Instead of using the spices in the recipe swap with powdered ranch mix and evenly coat and air fry till the butter soaks in.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

Here is a popular snack for fall. Use butter and then pumpkin pie spice to flavor the mixture for a sweet Chex mix. Toss in some white chocolate chips once cooled for added sweetness.

Storing

You can store your Chex mix at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. Make sure to store in an airtight container or sealed bag with as much air removed as you can.

If you live in a high-humidity area, just know it can cause the mixture to become stale quicker.

Practical notes

Can we make Chex Mix in the oven instead of an air fryer?

Go right ahead and make traditional Chex mix in the oven if you want. Follow the same instructions except bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit and stir every 15 minutes. You want the snack mix to dry out and turn golden brown.

Can we make a gluten-free Chex Mix?

Reach for all the ingredients that are gluten-free and any mix-in ingredients you would like. Just ensure all the packages of the ingredients show gluten-free.

How can we adjust the spiciness level of our Chex Mix?

If you want it spicier add some hot sauce, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or other spicy ingredients to the recipe. Just mix it in a small bowl with the butter if you add hot sauce then stir in and cook the same.

​Can we freeze homemade Chex Mix?

It is recommended to not freeze snack mixes like this as it will soften the ingredients and you won’t get that crunch.

​Can we re-crisp stale Chex Mix?

Place it back in the air fryer or on a baking sheet spread out. Place in air fryer at 325 or oven at 275 and cook for 5 minutes, and stir between each heat cycle. Heat until the mixture regains that crunchy texture you are looking for. Then let cool before serving and storing in the air-tight container again.

Craving More

• Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes
• How to Make Pizza Rolls in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
• Easy Air Fryer Nachos

Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Facebook Pinterest or our Facebook Group

Ingredients

Makes 7 cups

• 2 cups Chex cereal
• 1/2 cup Cheerios cereal
• 1 cup pretzels sticks
• 1/2 cup mini pretzels
• 1/2 cup peanuts, roasted and unsalted
• 1 cup oysters crackers
• 1/3 stick of salted butter
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Bowl for Mixing
• Small Saucepan

Method

1. Add the Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and oyster crackers into a large bowl. Mix and set to the side.
2. In a saucepan on the stove you will turn to medium heat and add in the butter. Once the butter is melted add in all the spices: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
3. Stir to combine the ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once it boils remove from heat and let it cool for 3-5 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture into the cereal bowl and toss well making sure to evenly coat all the ingredients.
6. Add the snack mix into the air fryer basket and spread it out. Cook at 350 degrees in a preheated air fryer for 4 minutes.
7. Open and shake the basket or toss mixture around and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
8. Repeat with shaking mixture around and cook another 3-4 minutes or until the snack mix is golden brown and the butter mixture has soaked into the ingredients.
9. Remove the mixture from the air fryer and allow it to fully cool then store or serve.

Oven Directions

1. Prepare the same just spread the mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet into an even layer.
2. Bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes. Stirring half way through. You will want to cook the Chex mixture until golden brown and all the butter mixture has soaked into the ingredients and not soft, and offers that crunch.

Kitchen notes

Mix In: You can add or take away ingredients to mix in this simple Chex mix. Different pretzels, Cheez-It crackers, Goldfish, etc. Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. We do recommend not freezing the mixture as it can become stale and soften in texture. Seasoning: Feel free to change up the way you season your Chex mix. Pick and choose spices, and create your own flavors.