Air-Fryer Chex Mix: A Quick, Crispy Snack

Chex Mix is a popular snack that can be made at home in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy salty snack that can be customised with a variety of ingredients such as cereals, nuts, pretzels, bagel chips, and seasonings. The air fryer method is faster than traditional oven baking and does not require pre-heating. The end result is a crunchy, tasty snack that can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Choosing your ingredients

If you want to use Chex cereal, the ratio is typically 2 cups of wheat Chex, 3 cups of rice Chex, and 3 cups of corn Chex. However, you can change this to any combination of 8 cups of cereal, using different ratios of Chex or various cereals. For example, you can use Cheerios and Crispix, or Crispix alone if you don't have any Chex. If you aren't using Chex, choose a cereal that is square in shape and has little holes so the seasonings can cling to it.

You can also add nuts to your Chex mix. A combination of almonds, cashews, and peanuts works well, but you could use just peanuts or any combination of your favourite nuts. If you're using salted nuts, you may want to decrease the amount of salt in the recipe. You can also skip the nuts altogether and increase some of your other favourite ingredients.

Other dry ingredients you can use include mini pretzels, small cheese crackers like Cheez-Its or Goldfish crackers, bagel chips, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, rye chips, oyster crackers, wheat thins, or anything else you have on hand that you enjoy.

When it comes to liquid ingredients, a combination of melted butter and oil is recommended. Butter alone can burn more easily, so mixing it with oil helps to prevent this while still giving you that buttery flavour. You can use a ratio of ⅓ cup of oil to 3 tablespoons of butter, or change this to half butter and half oil if you want a stronger butter flavour. Canola or avocado oil is best, but any neutral-flavoured oil will work. Avoid olive oil or coconut oil, as these can impart a flavour to your Chex mix that you may not like.

For seasonings, Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient. You can also add onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt to taste. If you want to make your Chex mix spicy, you can add cayenne or chipotle. For a sweeter mix, you can use sugar and a pumpkin spice blend, or mix in things like M&Ms, chocolate chips, raisins, or other dried fruit after the mix has cooled.

Making the sauce

Ingredients

You will need butter, oil, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and season salt. The butter provides a rich, creamy base, while the oil helps to prevent burning and adds a subtle savoury note. The Worcestershire sauce contributes a tangy, savoury punch, and the hot sauce (optional) can be adjusted to your preferred spice level. The garlic powder, onion powder, and season salt round out the savoury flavour profile.

Method

Start by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan over medium heat. If using oil, add it to the melted butter and whisk to combine. Then, add the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce (if using) to the butter mixture, whisking to incorporate. Finally, add the dry spices—garlic powder, onion powder, and season salt—to the wet mixture, whisking to create a well-combined sauce.

Customisation

Feel free to adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. For a more buttery flavour, increase the amount of butter relative to oil. If you prefer a spicier mix, add more hot sauce or include some cayenne pepper or chilli powder. You can also experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika, cumin, or chipotle powder to create unique flavour profiles.

Coating the Dry Ingredients

Once your sauce is ready, it's time to coat the dry ingredients. Combine your chosen dry ingredients (cereal, nuts, pretzels, crackers, etc.) in a large bowl or bag. Pour the sauce over the dry mix in thirds, tossing or stirring well between each addition to ensure an even coating. Repeat this process with the dry spices, adding them in thirds and mixing thoroughly.

Now that your Chex mix is seasoned and coated, it's ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Combining the mix

Once you've added your desired ingredients to the mixing bowl, give it a good stir to combine everything evenly.

Next, you'll want to prepare the seasoning. In a separate, smaller bowl, stir together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and your choice of spices. You can keep it classic with seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, or add some paprika, chilli powder, or even hot sauce for an extra kick.

After whisking the seasoning mixture, drizzle it over the cereal mixture in the large bowl. Stir everything together to ensure that all the ingredients are well coated with the seasoning.

At this point, your Chex mix should be well combined and ready for the air fryer!

Air frying

To make Chex Mix in an air fryer, first, combine your chosen dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. The specific ingredients and quantities can be tailored to your taste, but typically include some combination of Chex cereals (rice, corn, and/or wheat), pretzels, nuts, and crackers. You can also add in seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder.

Next, prepare the liquid coating by melting butter and mixing in other wet ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and oil. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl and toss or stir until everything is evenly coated.

Finally, place the coated mixture into the air fryer basket and cook at around 300-350°F for 4-5 minutes. Stir or shake the basket a couple of times during cooking to ensure even cooking. The total cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the desired crispness of your Chex Mix, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning. Once it's done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool before serving or storing.

Storing

Allow your Chex mix to cool completely before storing it. It is important that you do not skip this step as storing warm Chex mix will cause it to steam and become soggy.

Store your Chex mix in an airtight container. This will ensure that the Chex mix stays crunchy and fresh. You can use a zip-top bag, a large mixing bowl with a lid, or a small trash bag that has been doubled up.

Your Chex mix will last for about two weeks if stored at room temperature. You can also store it in the freezer for up to three months.

If you have added butter or other ingredients that can spoil, it is best to store your Chex mix in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. It will last for about three days in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions