Ranch Party Mix

Ranch Party Mix, or ranch chex mix, is a buttery mixture of bugles, cheez-its, oyster crackers, chex cereal, pretzels in more baked in butter and ranch seasoning. This recipe is extremely versatile because you can use any of your favorite cereals or crackers in this recipe.

Grandma makes it best

This is one of those recipes that my grandma has been making for as long as I can remember. She always has a canister of this chex mix on her counter to share with guests. This has been a staple at many family weddings and events. I make it for deer hunting every year, and for other gatherings. It tastes great with an ice cold Busch Latte after hikiing through the woods deer hunting all day (that sounded very Iowan).

This stuff is addicting!!

You know the phrase ‘betcha can’t eat just one!’? Well, I bet you cannot eat just one handful of this mix. The savory, ranchy seasoned snack is addicting! Bring it to your next party, or just make it for the family while you are watching a movie.

Ingredients in Ranch Party Mix Recipe

1 stick of butter melted. Salted or unsalted work fine either way- there is plenty of salt in the rest of the mix ingredients.

2 tbsp of ranch seasoning – I make it simple and use hidden valley ranch or an off-brand from Fareway, but you could certainly make your own ranch seasoning. Here is a recipe from Pioneer Woman that I think would work well.

13 cups of snack mixes – this is VERY versatile. I ususally use bugles, gold fish, pretzels, cheez-its, cashews, chex cereal. I sometimes add some of the pre-packaged cheddar flavored chex mix because I love the little cheesy orange crackers in it. While I say this is versatile DO NOT leave out Nacho Cheese flavored bugles- that is personally a must!

Bugles are a MUST in this recipe

What I love about this good party mix recipe is you can literally use any sort of snack mix in it, BUT you NEED to use bugles. It definitely completes the recipe. I usually use some of the ‘original’ bugles and some of the ‘nacho cheese’ bugles. The nacho cheese ones are amazing. My toddler LOVES them.

How to make Ranch Flavored Chex Mix

1. This is going to bake on low heat for awhile- preheat oven to 250 F.In a large pot, sheet pan or roaster, measure out 13 cups of party mix of choice. As I mention a few times in this post, I highly recommend using bugles (nacho cheese is best!) as part of this mix. Mix together well. Use gold fish, pretzels, chex cereal, cheez-its, etc.
2. In a bowl, melt 1 stick of butter. Once melted use whisk or fork to whisk the ranch with the melted butter. Then, pour over the party mixture. Scrape out any ranch that had sank to the bottom of the bowl and stir that into the mixture. Stir well. Sometimes, the ranch mix looks kind of grainy when stirring with the melted butter, that is OK- it will go away as you bake and stir in the next step.
3. Put in the oven at 250 F for 45 minutes total, stopping to stir the mixture well every 15 minutes. Stirring every 15 minutes is important so that you get the seasoning mixed in with the mix well. Remove from oven and store in air tight container.

Ranch Snack Mix Substitutions and Variations

Butter – I have used equal amounts of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn oil– I prefer butter but this will work and I know many people who use that popcorn oil instead.

Ranch Mix- try different seasoning mixes- I love fiesta ranch mix in dips- it could taste good in a snack mix for a little heat!

Now, here comes the step that can have a lot of variation! The party mix: I’ve done chex cereal, oyster crackers, mini doritos, pretzels, nacho cheese bugles, regular bugles, cheez-its, cheetos, chashews, a bag of cheese chex-mix added..really this is up to your imagination! Add, basically, 13 cups of whatever kinds of savory snacks you enjoy!

Storage of Ranch Snack Mix

This can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. I like the large ziploc, but any type of air tight container will work. I don’t think it will actually last in a house for 2 weeks though- it’s usually gone in a couple days!

For my wedding, we made this ahead of time and actually stored it in large clear garbage bags (unscented) and it stored well for a few days.

More ranch flavored recipes

Who doesn’t like recipes with ranch? Try our Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe for a great weeknight meal that kids love!

We also love this dump crockpot chicken bacon ranch recipe with potatoes.

Some other recipes you may like:

Velveeta Mac and Cheese recipe is another good one for kids and parties!

Our American Goulash Recipe is a must-try!

Our Swedish Meatballs Recipe is a delicious meal as well.

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I hope you love this ranch snack mix! – Bobbi Jo

Need more recipe ideas to take along to a party? Try my Creole Queso recipe!

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