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Kid-Approved Buffalo Ranch Chex Mix: Sweet & Spicy Best Snack

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This sweet and spicy Buffalo Ranch Chex Mix is the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack. It’s quick to make, uses simple pantry ingredients, and has a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that both kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex, or a mix of both)
  • 1 cup pretzel twists (broken into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 cup cheese crackers (like Goldfish or Cheez-Its)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 3 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot Original sauce
  • 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix (Hidden Valley recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 9 cups Rice Chex cereal, 1 cup broken pretzel pieces, and 1 cup cheese crackers. Gently toss to mix.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter (30-45 seconds). Let cool for a minute. Whisk in 3 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot, the entire packet of dry ranch dressing mix, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and optional 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper until mostly smooth.
  4. Slowly drizzle the butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Use a spatula or your hands to gently fold and toss until every piece is coated.
  5. Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even, single layer.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, stir well, and spread back into a single layer.
  7. Bake for another 10-15 minutes (total 25-30 minutes), until coating looks dry and cereal is lightly golden. Watch carefully during the last 5 minutes.
  8. Cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes without stirring. The coating will harden as it cools.

Notes

For a milder version, reduce hot sauce to 1 tablespoon and omit cayenne. For extra heat, add an extra tablespoon of hot sauce and include cayenne. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To re-crisp, bake at 300°F for 5 minutes. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo ranch chex mix, sweet and spicy snack, game day snack, kid-friendly snack, easy snack mix

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/kid-approved-buffalo-ranch-chex-mix-sweet-and-spicy-best-snack/