Gluten Free Chex Mix
With all the crunchy, savory flavor of traditional homemade Chex Mix, this easy gluten free Chex Mix recipe will be a hit for parties, holidays, and simple snack cravings all year round. Includes easy oven baked and slow cooker instructions, too!
About this Gluten Free Chex Mix
Who isn’t a fan of a big batch of homemade Chex Mix?
Not only is it a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and the perfect snack or appetizer for everything from Thanksgiving to the big game, and everything in between, but it’s also wildly simple to throw together.
The only drawback to traditional Chex mix is that if you happen to follow a gluten free diet (or are feeding someone who is), is that many of the ingredients are filled with gluten and so are off limits.
It’s true that many of the traditional ingredients in Chex Mix include wheat, such as wheat Chex, pretzels, and bagel chips, as well as the Worcestershire sauce and even some mixed nuts.
Luckily, when you make your own, you can control the ingredients that go in, guaranteeing a crispy, crunchy, savory, delicious snack mix that is fantastically gluten free!
Tip: If you’re feeding someone with Celiac disease, be sure to double check each ingredient to ensure each is gluten free, including the nuts, if using.
Process, Tips & Storage
I’ve included both oven baked and slow cooker instructions for this recipe, so feel free to use the method that works best for you.
For the oven baked method, you’ll cook the mix low and slow for a couple of hours, stirring every 15 minutes to avoid burning.
If you’re going the slow cooker route, you’ll cook on low, stirring every 30 minutes to avoid burning.
For both methods, be sure to leave time for the mix to cool completely before serving or storing, as it will not get crisp until fully cooled.
Tip: Note that if you have a slow cooker that doesn’t have a small vent hole in the lid, this recipe might not work well, as the condensation will drip on the mix, leaving it soggy.
Be sure to allow the mix to cool completely before storing.
This gluten free Chex Mix can be stored, sealed tightly at room temperature, for 2-3 weeks.
Recipe Variations
Sweet Gluten-Free Chex Mix: Add ½ cup honey to the melted butter mixture.
Gluten Free Chex Mix with M&Ms: Add 1 cup M&Ms to the cooled mix before serving.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Chex Mix: Use dairy-free butter in place of traditional.
Spicy Gluten Free Chex Mix: Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the butter mixture.
Vegan Gluten Free Chex Mix: Use dairy-free butter in place of traditional, plus gluten free and vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Key Ingredients & Substitution Suggestions
Corn Chex cereal: Corn Chex add a nice crunch and color.
Rice Chex cereal: Rice Chex adds a nice contrasting color and slightly different texture.
Gluten free mini pretzels: Feel free to use any shape of small gluten free pretzels you like.
Mixed nuts: Not all mixed nuts are free of gluten (some contain wheat) so be sure to check the label. Use any nuts you like, including peanuts, almonds, or cashews, or skip the nuts altogether for a nut free option.
Butter: An essential ingredient, feel free to use dairy-free butter for a dairy free and vegan option.
Gluten free Worcestershire sauce: Be sure to use a gluten free Worcestershire for this recipe. Look for a gluten free and vegan Worcestershire sauce for a vegan option.
Granulated garlic and onion powder: Adds a savory kick.
Kosher salt: Feel free to increase the salt depending on your personal preference.
Tip: I did not include bagel chips in this recipe because I had trouble finding gluten free bagel chips in my area. Feel free to use them if you can find them, adding 1 cup, and reducing the pretzels to 1 cup.
More Gluten Free Appetizers
Gluten Free Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups corn Chex cereal
- 4 ½ cups rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups gluten free mini pretzels
- 1 cup 1 cup nuts, such as peanuts, almonds, or cashews
- 8 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup gluten free Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Equipment
Instructions
Oven Baked Instructions
- Heat the oven to 250F. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (corn Chex, rice Chex, pretzels and nuts).
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, or melt in a small microwave safe bowl. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Pour the mixture over the cereal mixture, tossing until evenly coated.
- Pour the cereal mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely, then serve or store.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, mix together the dry ingredients (corn Chex, rice Chex, pretzels and nuts).
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, or melt in a small microwave safe bowl. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Pour the mixture over the cereal mixture, tossing until evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring every 15-30 minutes.
- Remove from the slow cooker, spread in an even layer, and allow to cool completely, then serve or store.
Thanks Robyn! How do you think ghee would work as a substitute for butter?
Annie, yes, melted ghee should work well as a sub for the melted butter. Hope you enjoy!
This turned out great! And so easy! Making for a second time today.
Yay, so happy to hear this one was so easy and came out well! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Christina!
Trying for the first time, can I use vegan butter?
Patty, yes, this recipe works well with vegan butter! I hope you enjoy!