Oven Baked Chex Mix with Bacon Grease
Make this irresistible oven-baked Chex mix with bacon grease—savory, crunchy, and perfect for holidays, parties, and game day snacking. Easy, addictive, and full of bold flavor!
You might be surprised to learn that The Husband has a hidden holiday talent—he’s the official family Chex mix maker. He’s not much of a cook, but the few recipes he tackles, he nails.
Every year, he digs out his grandmother’s party mix recipe, I grab the ingredients, and he whips up batch after batch to share with friends, family, and co-workers. It’s a crowd favorite for holiday gatherings, road trips, lunchboxes, or football games.
We lovingly call it Crack Mix—once you start, good luck stopping.
Looking for more kid approved snacks? Check out Mini Corn Dog Bites, Kettle Corn, Reece’s Trail Mix, and Kids Party Snack Mix.
“This is the first recipe I’ve come across that uses bacon grease in the Chex Mix recipe. I’ve always use bacon grease in my recipe, as that’s how my mom and grandmother used to make theirs. There’s no other way to make it in my opinion. I just love all your recipes.”
– Marianne
Recipe at a Glance
- Smoky bacon goodness. The secret weapon—bacon grease—adds a unique savory richness you won’t find in any store-bought version.
- Oven-baked perfection. Slow roasting at a low temp gives you a crisp, evenly coated snack that never turns soggy.
- Feeds a crowd. Or just one determined snacker. I’m not judging.
- Make-ahead friendly. It stays crunchy for days when stored properly… if it lasts that long.
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Ingredients and tools you will need
Oven-Baked Chex Mix made with bacon grease isn’t just a recipe… it’s a moment. A smoky, salty, crunchy moment that you’ll be thinking about long after the bowl is empty. To make this homemade chex mix recipe, you will need:
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Bacon Grease: The key ingredient that adds smoky, savory richness you can’t get from oil or butter alone.
- Salted Butter: Helps the seasoning cling to every piece and adds buttery depth.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tang, giving the mix its signature savory bite.
- Garlic Salt: The main seasoning that ties everything together with a bold, salty punch.
- Rice Chex: Light and crisp, perfect for soaking up all that buttery goodness.
- Corn Chex: Slightly sweeter and heartier, adding balance and texture.
- Cheerios: A fun, toasty flavor that rounds out the mix.
- Wheat Chex: Deep, nutty, and sturdy enough to stay crunchy in the oven.
- Pretzel Sticks: Adds extra crunch and a salty contrast.
- Spanish Nuts: Provides rich, roasted flavor and satisfying texture.
Tools:
- Roasting pan: We like using a roasting pan over a sheet pan because the high sides keep everything contained while you stir. A disposable roasting pan works great too—just toss it when you’re done.
- Large bowl: Big enough to combine all the cereals, pretzels, and nuts.
Substitutions and variations
I don’t recommend adding additional crunchy ingredients because it could dilute the flavor of the seasoning. However, you can definitely substitute an ingredient you don’t like to make your own party mix.
- Butter Substitute: Swap the butter for margarine if needed—just note the flavor will be slightly different.
- Bacon Grease Swap: No bacon grease? Use an extra 3–4 tablespoons of butter or a splash of neutral oil.
- Add Heat: Stir in ½–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
Garlic Salt Swap: Use garlic powder plus salt if you don’t have garlic salt. - Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free cereal blends and gluten-free pretzels.
- Extra Savory: Add onion powder, smoked paprika, or ranch seasoning for more depth.
Variations
- Different Nuts: Try mixed nuts, peanuts, cashews, Wasabi peas, or pecans instead of Spanish nuts.
- Cheerios Options: Use multigrain or honey nut Cheerios for a touch of sweetness.
- Pretzel Alternatives: Mini breadsticks, Goldfish crackers, Bugles, oyster crackers, Cheez-Its, or even rye chips work well.
- Holiday Twist: Add festive M&Ms after baking for a sweet-and-salty snack mix.
How to make oven baked chex mix with bacon grease
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250°F. Add the bacon grease, butter, and Worcestershire sauce to a large roasting pan. Slide it into the oven for 5–7 minutes, just until everything is melted and fragrant.
Step 2: Sprinkle in the garlic salt and stir until it dissolves into the melted butter.
Step 3: In a huge bowl—bigger than you think you need—combine the Chex cereal, salty pretzels, and Spanish nuts.
Step 4: Working in thirds, pour part of the cereal mixture into the roasting pan with the butter mixture and stir to coat. Add more, stir. Add the rest or the dry ingredients, stir again. Make sure every piece is glossy and flavored.
Step 5: Bake for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure everything gets toasty and evenly seasoned.
Looking for more salty snacks? Check out 3-Ingredient Sausage Balls and Homemade Cheese Straws.
Serving suggestions
- Set out big bowls for holiday gatherings
- Pack into treat bags for homemade gifts, kids’ lunches, or road trip goodies
- Serve alongside cocktails or beer on game day
- Use as the world’s most addictive movie-night snack
Storage and freezing instructions
Storage. To keep your Chex Mix perfectly crisp, let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezing. Store the snack mixes in a freezer-safe container or zip top bags—just handle the bags gently so the pieces don’t break. Use within three months and let it thaw completely at room temperature.
Oven baked Chex mix FAQ’s
Can this be made in the microwave?
There are microwave Chex Mix recipes out there. This is not one of them. Microwaves do not distribute heat evenly and I can not guarantee you will get the same results as this oven method.
Why is my Chex Mix soggy?
It is very important to stick to the amount of liquid called for in the recipe. Adding Stick to the exact amount of liquid—too much will keep the cereal from crisping.
The mix may feel slightly chewy right out of the oven, but it will crisp as it cools. Let it cool completely for several hours before sealing it, or condensation can make it soggy. Always keep the container tightly closed to prevent staleness.
If it does go stale, spread it on a baking sheet and roast at 250°F for 15 minutes to revive it.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Just make sure you have a large enough roasting pan or split the mixture between two pans for even roasting. I also recommend rotating the pans everytime you remove the pans from the oven to stir. In other words, the pan on the top rack of the oven needs to go back in on the bottom and vice versa.
Do I really have to stir the Chex every 15 minutes or can I just bake it straight for two hours?
Not recommended. Stirring every 15 minutes ensures even roasting and prevents burning.
What if I don’t have garlic salt?
Make your own using three parts salt to one part garlic powder.
Use soy sauce for a similar salty, savory flavor.
You can! Add the melted butter, bacon grease, and seasonings to the slow cooker, then stir in the cereal mixture. Cook on low for about 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to keep it from burning. Spread the finished mix on a baking sheet to cool and crisp up.
Tried this recipe? Let me know!
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If you made oven baked Chex mix with bacon grease, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Your ratings and reviews help others find the recipe and give me great feedback too.
Oven Baked Chex Mix With Bacon Grease
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoons bacon grease
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons garlic salt
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- 5 cups Corn Chex
- 5 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups Wheat Chex
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 2 cups Spanish nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
- Place the bacon grease, butter, and Worcestershire in a large roasting pan. Heat in the oven until the butter is melted, about 5-7 minutes.
- Slowly add the garlic salt and mix until completely dissolved.
- Combine the cereal, pretzels and nuts in a large mixing bowl.
- Gradually pour ⅓ of the cereal mixture into the roasting pan with the melted butter and bacon grease. Stir the cereal to coat. Repeat, adding ⅓ at a time, with the remaining cereal mixture.
- Roast the Chex mix for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the stirring. It’s the secret to even flavor.
- Use a roasting pan with high sides. Trust me—this recipe makes a LOT.
- Extra bacon-y? Add an additional tablespoon or two of bacon grease for a deeper smoky flavor.
Yes! I love to hear that. It’s the best for a reason.
Only way my family has made it forever! 90 yrs and counting.