4 Ingredient Ranch Snack Mix
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When I go to someone’s house because they’re watching “THE GAME”, I like to bring snacks. EASY snacks. DELISH snacks. I have one in particular that is one of my faves, I call it Game Day Ranch Snack Mix, or, aka, Snack Crack.
I also like to make it in my massive turkey roaster because a small batch usually doesn’t cut it, and seriously, people LOVE this mix when they taste it for the first time. You don’t have to make a batch as big as I do, so this recipe can be easily divided into two to make half.
But you’ll wish you made the whole batch when you taste it!
Packed with cereal and pretzels, I find that the blend of cereals—Cheerios, Chex, and Shreddies—and pretzels- provides the perfect balance of textures for every handful.
A Handful of Ingredients, a Ton of Flavor
For this snack mix, I keep it simple. The cereals are all coated in a buttery ranch seasoning, and this mix brings a punch of flavor without being too complicated (just like my 2 Ingredient Ranch Dip). Here’s the lineup:
- Neutral cereals: Cheerios, Chex, and Shreddies are easily available at grocery stores. Buy the house brands if you can to save some money, or, buy other neutral-flavored cereals that you might prefer more. Just don’t buy any sweet cereals.
- Pretzels: A salty, crunchy addition that pairs great with ranch flavors. I switch up the shapes sometimes and add the square pretzels instead of the bow/traditional shapes, but it’s completely up to you.
- Butter: Use buttery-flavored margarine if you don’t have butter.
- Ranch seasoning: This provides most of the savory flavor to the snack recipe so pick a brand you really enjoy.
- Dill weed: Because I’m a dillfreak and can have dill on almost anything, I like to add it to this mix. It’s optional though so leave it out if it’s not your thing.
Mixing Up the Perfect Batch
This recipe only takes a few steps, but each one counts for getting that even, buttery coating on every piece. Here’s how it all comes together:
Step 1: Get ready: Preheat the oven and get your biggest roaster available to you ready. Add all the cereals and pretzels that you’ll be using to it.
Step 2: Melt and mix the butter with ranch powder and dill – it will look (and smell) amazing so, don’t drink it.
Step 3: Drizzle over the cereal and pretzels in a big roasting pan, stirring gently to coat every piece.
Step 4: Bake low and slow, stirring every 15 minutes.
**** Check the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card that has all the exact ingredient amounts and directions to make this recipe perfect.
Snack Secrets: Getting the Best Results
- Storing this snack crack in an airtight container to keep it fresh works well so it’s always ready for a snack attack.
- It’s important to stir the snack mix every 15 minutes or so while it’s in the oven so the cereals don’t get overly toasted on the top, and the seasoned butter gets a chance to be absorbed into all the cereal pieces.
- Serving it warm is the most epic way to serve this snack, especially when there are bubbly libations to be had. The contrast between warm snacks and chilled drinks is a match made in heaven. But truth be told, I’ll eat this snack crack any time of the day, warm, room temperature, or out of the fridge. It’s THAT good.
- If you want a stronger ranch flavor, add a little extra powder; for a lighter taste, cut it back just a bit. And trust me, stirring throughout the bake time really makes a difference—it helps coat everything evenly and prevents any soggy spots.
Did you make this 4 ingredient Ranch Snack Mix? I’d love to hear what you thought about it by leaving a comment and a star rating below! If you have any questions about the recipe, please ask them below or feel free to send me an email at [email protected]. Have a fantastic day!
4 Ingredient Ranch Snack Mix
This Ranch Snack Mix is the ultimate savory treat, combining a mix of cereals, pretzels, and buttery ranch seasoning with a hint of dill. Baked low and slow, this crunchy snack is perfect for parties, road trips, or just keeping around the house for easy munching.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cheerios
- 3 cups Chex (variety of your choice)
- 3 cups Shreddies
- 3 cups pretzels
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), melted
- 1 packet powdered ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoons dried dill weed (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Add all the cereals together with the pretzels in a large roasting pan. Mix together well.
- 2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, ranch powder, and dill (if using) and mix it well.
- 3. Pour (or spoon) the seasoned butter over the cereal mixture, stirring well to coat all the pieces evenly.
- 4. Bake the mix in the oven for approximately 45 - 50 minutes, stirring the mix every 15-20 minutes until the cereals are lightly toasted and the butter is completely absorbed.
- 5. Remove from the oven and serve warm in small dishes. Enjoy!
Notes
HELPFUL TIPS:
Cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container. Store at room temperature or to keep it longer, store it in the fridge.
Customize the recipe by adding salted nuts or different cereals. Be sure the cereals are neutral flavored.
Kick up the spice by adding some dried chili peppers to the butter mixture. You can also add some hot sauce as well.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 299Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 49mgSodium 676mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 3gSugar 3gProtein 4g
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.