The perfect game-time snack mix recipe!
This crock pot snack mix recipe is the ultimate savory snack! Made with everyone’s favorite Cheez-It crackers, cashews, and pretzels, this ranch snack mix is perfect for watching the game, enjoying with friends or serving at any party.
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Do you love a great snack mix recipe? Why not try making it in your slow cooker? This simple, delicious ranch snack mix recipe is perfect for your next watch party, movie night happy hour with friends or tailgating event!
Ideally made in a larger slow cooker, you can also easily make this snack mix recipe in your oven. Fantastic zesty flavor with a great crunch!
Ingredients you’ll need for this Snack Mix Recipe:
- Cheez-It Crackers
- Cheez -It Grooves, Zesty Cheddar Ranch Crackers
- Pretzels – small pretzel twists work well.
- Rice/Corn Cereal – either Chex or Crispix work well
- Cashews
- Butter
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Grated Parmesan cheese
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to reference the full recipe below.
How this snack mix recipe comes together
This snack mix recipe is super easy to make, and uses a slow cooker or crock pot, to help make it savory, crunchy and completely delicious!
Also included are pretzels, corn/rice cereal and cashews. To season the mix, I poured a basic seasoning made from melted butter, ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce, and then let the crock pot do the rest.
Can I use a slow cooker to make snack mix?
Yes! Using your slow cooker is a fantastic tool for making snack mix.
- Add your ingredients to the crock pot.
- Pour the seasoning sauce over the mix.
- Give it a good stir to thoroughly coat the ingredients.
- Roast the mix in the crock pot, stirring occasionally.
- Lay out the mix and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
NOTE: If you have a smaller slow cooker, this recipe would be best made in the oven. The large amount of ingredients need space to roast adequately. To roast in the oven, place mixed snack mix on baking sheets and roast at 250 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring snack mix every 15 minutes.
I have the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Multi-Cooker Slow Cooker. It’s one of my absolute favorite appliances in my kitchen and I use it all year long. Check out all of my favorite kitchen tools here.
Once the snack mix is done roasting, lay out on a flat surface lined with waxed or parchment paper. This will help the snack mix cool and dry so it stays crisp.
The last step is to sprinkle the snack mix with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Once the snack mix has cooled completely, it should be stored in an airtight container. You can also package individually in smaller snack or sandwich-sized plastic bags.
Fantastic for watch-parties and your favorite basketball, football or baseball game, this simple snack mix recipe is great for tailgating, too! This recipe is also great for holiday parties, movie night or anytime you’re gathering with friends and family.
If you loved this easy snack mix recipe, check out my other party appetizer recipes:
- Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
- Italian Sliders
- White Queso Dip
- Sheet Pan Steak Nachos
- Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Slow Cooker Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts
- Crock Pot Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Cream Cheese Corn Dip
- Peanut Butter Chex Party Mix
- Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
- Melted Snowman Snack Mix
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Bark
- How to Make Popcorn Balls – Genius Kitchen
Here’s the easy recipe for the Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix:
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Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker I use and LOVE my Cuisinart Slow Cooker / Multi-Cooker!
- Sheet Pan These USA Stainless Steel Sheet Pans are fantastic and super durable!
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cheez-It original crackers
- 3 cups Cheez It Grooves Zesty Cheddar Ranch crackers
- 2 cups small pretzels twists work well
- 2 cups rice/corn cereal like Chex or Crispix
- 1 cup cashews
Sauce:
- 6 Tablespoons butter melted
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- In a large crock pot or slow cooker, combine the crackers, pretzels, cereal and cashews.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire and ranch seasoning. Gradually pour over the snack mix, and stir well to coat the mix.
- Turn the slow cooker on low heat and roast for 2 hours, stirring the mix every 30 minutes.
- When mix is done roasting, spread the mix out evenly on a flat surface lined with waxed paper to cool completely. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
- Oven Directions:Place coated mix on baking sheets, and roast at 250 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Stir the mix every 15 minutes so it toasts evenly. Cool as directed above. Add the Parmesan cheese once mix has cooled.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions about making snack mix:
If you don’t have a slow cooker or would prefer to use your oven, you can definitely do so. The key is to roast it on a low temperature, 250 degrees is ideal. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
To ensure your snack mix doesn’t burn, make sure you do two things. Heat/roast on a low temperature. For slow cookers , use your low setting, for ovens heat oven to 250 degrees. Additionally, you need to stir every 15 minutes to make sure the pieces are evenly toasted.
First, stir often. Making sure you evenly distribute the sauce is important. Also, using a small crock pot is not ideal. A larger slow cooker is better for making sure the ingredients roast evenly. If you’re unsure that your slow cooker will adequately roast the ingredients, feel free to use your oven instead. Roast ingredients on sheet pans at 250 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes, stopping to stir every 15 minutes.
Basically, yes. These are both corn/rice cereals, just different brands. They can be used interchangeably.
This snack would NOT be safe around my house…especially during college basketball season! I’m eagerly awaiting the next round of games, and I think this snack needs to be there with me on the couch. It looks delicious! #client
So do you let it cool and then put the cheese on or put the cheese on and then let it cool? Sounds yum!! thank you
Can I use my oven to cook this recipe. I don’t have
a crock pot. It looks delicious.
This is a delicious snack mix recipe. I substituted mixed nuts and Fiesta Ranch seasoning for a little kick the second time I made it. We love this stuff!
Love the idea of making this in the crock pot, and wondering how I’d make a non-dairy version of this (without margerine)and with more whole grain crackers, I’m sure it is possible! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Game time for sure! Thanks so much for linking up at Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday!
I can’t seem to find the zesty cheese its. Where did you find them?
Wow, that looks so yummy!! Pinning this to try! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
I need this in my life! Like immediately! š I love chex mix, but I really LOVE cheez-its!!
Oh my gosh, you would not believe the GIANT box of Cheez Its my dad just bought! This looks marvelous!!
Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday! Hope to see you next week!
Mollie
So GOOD!!!! I made mine in the oven like Chex mix. Worked like a charm. This recipe was family approved and gone in 2 days. Currently waiting for the second batch to finish right now. Also want to mention that this tastes best after its sat overnight. Thanks for the great recipe!
Can this be done in the microwave?
Yum this would be great for game days. My kids will love it!
Saw this on the TTLP! Perfect for Super Bowl. Pinned and printed! Thanks!
Followed directions to the letter, and came out soggy, and chewy. I ended up putting them on a sheet tray in a 250 deg.oven to crisp them up. Recommend just doing these in the oven, and avoid the crock pot.