Slow Cooker Chex Mix (2024)

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Learn how to make awesome Chex Mix in the slow cooker with this easy recipe! It’s super easy, and always a crowd fave.

Have you ever heard of the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon?

Well if you’re like me, you have probably known exactly what it is, but never knew it had an official name. Basically, it’s what happens when That New Thing you just found out aboutsuddenly seems to start showingupeverywhere. Like when I started researching buying a Prius, and I suddenly noticedevery single Prius on the road. Or when a friend recommended a new author to read, and suddenly I started hearing her quoted everywhere. Or when Irandomly picked up a pennywhistle at work and taught myself how to play it, and then realized it’s hidden inway more popular songs than just the theme song toTitanic. ;)

You know.

Well, call it Baaeder-Meinhof (or call it by its shorter name, “frequency illusion”) or call it a simple coincidence, the same thing has been happening over the past month with slow cooker Chex mix. It began when I saw a recipe for crock pot Chex mix out of the corner of my eye on Pinterest, and was immediately intrigued. Then a week later, a friend brought a batch of sweet Chex mix to a party and announced that she made it in the slow cooker. Thenanother completely different friend brought a batch to our neighbor night. And then…well, then I was just craving Chex mix.

I’ve long been a fan of making my favorite Extra-Bold Chex Mixrecipe in the microwave. But this crock-pot method seemed too tempting not to try. So I pulled out my slow cooker and decided to make a test batch.

And I’ve gotta say — speaking of phenomenons, it was quite phenomenal. ;)

Actually, Chex mix has been a regular occurrencein my kitchensince before I evenhad my own kitchen. I had the great luck of growing up with a mom who whipped up batches of the stuff for just about any occasion, and all of the cravings in between. Our familyloves Chex mix.

Although while I love the traditional recipe, I have to admit that I usually double or triple the seasonings. I love my salt. :)

Still, while I have made Chex mix at least one or two hundred times in my life (no exaggeration), thispast month was the first time I have ever made it in the slow cooker!

For my inaugural batch, I decided to go with the classic recipe using 3 kinds of Chex cereal (rice, corn and wheat), pretzels, Cheerios and peanuts. I lined them all up just to show you, but obviously (and please), just dump ’em all in.

And thenpour your seasoning evenly all over the top. (I used the traditional mixture of melted butter, worcestershire, seasoned salt and garlic powder.)

Then give it a good, gentle stir to toss everything together. (I recommend usinga rubber spatula in order to try and avoid breaking the cereal pieces.) Then cover and let it cook on low for about 3 hours. In order to prevent burning, you have to give it a stir at least once an hour, and probably twice in the final hour.

Then, sure enough, 3 hours later the Chex mix is cooked and ready to go!

You still have to spread it out on some baking pans (or my mom always just spread out parchment paper all over the countertops and spread out the mix there) to let it cool to room temperature. But otherwise, the slow cooker(that’s an affiliate link to the one I used) does all of the work for you.

And oh man, this stuff is as irresistibleas ever. It’s salty, crunchy, savory, andperfect for snacking. (And snacking…and snacking some more.)

My mom and I usually sub in whatever random ingredients we have on hand — various cereals, cookies, crackers, or candies. But the original recipe is a classic for a reason, and you can’t go wrong with all of those Chex.

I will say, my biggest question was whether or not makingChex mix in the slow cooker would actually be any easier than the microwave or oven versions. And to be honest, I don’t think it’s any easier. Any of those versions requireyou to keep an eye on the cooking process and give the mix a stir every so often. And the slow cooker version certainly takes the longest of the three methods.

But it does do a remarkable job of making your home smell like yummy Chex mix. And if you happen to be hanging near the kitchen for a few hours — say, when you’re cooking another meal, or having people over for a party or to watch the big game, it would be fun to try it in the slow cooker. Or, you know, if you are just looking for an excuse to make another batch, it’sdefinitely something that ever Chex-mix-lover should try. ;)

So here’s how I made it. Enjoy!

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