Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix
This ranch Cheez-It snack mix is the ultimate party snack – crunchy cheese crackers, salty pretzels, buttery oyster crackers, and roasted nuts all tossed in ranch seasoning and baked until perfectly crispy. It comes together in just 5 minutes of prep, bakes hands-off for an hour, and tastes infinitely better than anything you’ll buy at the store. Perfect for game days, holiday parties, movie nights, or gifting to friends and neighbors. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
Crunchy, cheezy, and oh-so good.
Snack mixes like this are pure comfort food for me. My Minnesota aunties would bring literal buckets of homemade snack mix to every Christmas gathering, so it always feels like the holidays and family.
This version swaps some cereal for crowd-favorite Cheez-Its and oyster crackers, making it even more addictive than the original. It’s…
🧀 Cheesy & crunchy: Every bite has that perfect combo of Cheez-Its, pretzels, and buttery crackers.
🎉 Way better than store-bought: Homemade means fresher flavors and customizable ingredients.
⏱️ Just 5 minutes prep: Mix everything, drizzle with seasoned butter, and let the oven do the work.
🎁 Perfect for gifting: Package it up in jars or bags for holiday gifts everyone actually wants.
❄️ Freezer-friendly: Make it weeks ahead and freeze until you need it.
You’ll also want to try my ranch Chex mix or sweet and salty Chex mix next time.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this baked snack mix: Cheez-It cheese crackers (or any cheese crackers), small pretzel twists, oyster crackers (mini saltines work too), mixed nuts, butter, sugar, dry ranch seasoning (from a packet or homemade), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Spread it thin for maximum crunch. Divide the mix between two large rimmed baking sheets so everything’s mostly in a single layer. Crowding the pan creates steam and you’ll end up with soggy spots instead of crispy, crunchy mix.
- Variations: Try white cheddar Cheez-Its for extra cheesy flavor, or swap the oyster crackers for Goldfish crackers.
- Additions: This ranch snack mix is inspired by my ranch Chex Mix, which also uses dried dill for extra flavor. I didn’t include it in this mix, but it would be a delicious addition! I would start with about 2 teaspoons.
Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (about 17 cups) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crunchy, cheesy, and totally addictive! This ranch Cheez-it snack mix is perfect for parties, game days, or snacking. Quick and easy.
Ingredients
- 12.4 oz. Cheez-It crackers (~6 cups)
- 4 cups pretzel twists
- 2 cups oyster crackers
- 15 oz. mixed nuts (~3 cups)
- 8 Tbsp. butter
- 3 Tbsp. ranch seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Add Cheeze-its, pretzels, crackers, and nuts to a large mixing bowl and toss together.
- Melt butter in a small bowl. Add sugar, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and cayenne powder into melted butter and mix until combined.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cracker mixture and stir until evenly coated. Divide the mixture between two extra-large rimmed sheet pans.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Let cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks. The mix stays fresh and crunchy if you make sure the container is completely sealed.
Ingredients: Use whatever nuts you love best. Cashews, almonds, pecans, or a mixed variety all work. The ranch seasoning packet is usually found near the salad dressings, or make your own with dried herbs and spices.
Prep ahead: This is a fantastic make-ahead snack. Bake it up to 3 weeks before you need it, or freeze it for 2-3 months. It’s perfect for holiday gifting or keeping on hand for unexpected guests.
More Easy Snack and Appetizer Recipes
If you like this party mix recipe, you might also like some of these other easy appetizer and snack recipes:
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer and founder of My Everyday Table, where she helps busy families take the stress out of weeknight dinners. With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and almost 20 years of experience, Emily specializes in simple, nourishing recipes and weekly meal plans that actually work for everyday life. She’s a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who believes delicious food and good nutrition go hand in hand.
Get started: Weeknight Dinners Guide | Weekly Meal Plans | About Emily
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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