This savory Christmas snack mix is an excellent Chex Mix variation, perfect for holiday parties and gifting. Bright red tortilla chips, green pistachios, and a generous sprinkle of dill make it festive without any sweetness. It’s a delicious nuts-and-bolts style mix that works any time of year.
I couldn’t find a savory red-and-green party mix, so I developed this festive Red & Green Chex Mix. The dried dill gives it a bright, herb-forward note that really lifts the flavors. This easy recipe is popular during the holidays, makes a thoughtful edible gift, and is simple enough for potlucks or movie nights. It was inspired by a savory popcorn seasoning blend I love.
This savory Christmas Chex Mix is an ideal snack for holiday gatherings, parties, and family get-togethers.
Want more crunchy savory treats? Try parsnip crisps for a surprising, vegetable-based crunch.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need straightforward pantry items and a few crunchy snacks:
- Butter: Salted butter works well.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth and tang.
- Dill: Dried dill weed brings a fresh, herbal lift.
- Dry ranch dressing mix: I use a classic ranch seasoning for robust flavor.
- Cheerios, Rice Chex, Life cereal: A mix of these cereals gives the best texture.
- Shelled pistachios: Unsalted, shelled pistachios provide the green color and a pleasant crunch.
- Cheese crackers and Bugles: Cheese Nips (or Cheese Nibs), cheese bits, and Bugles add variety. Substitute similar crunchy cheese snacks if needed.
- Red tortilla chips: Broken red chips provide festive color.
- Pretzel sticks: A classic component for nuts-and-bolts mixes.
*See the recipe card below for full quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Lighter: Use light butter or a butter substitute to reduce fat.
- Spicier: Add hot sauce, chili flakes, or a mix of paprika, cayenne, and chili powder to taste.
- Different Chex: Swap rice Chex for corn or wheat Chex, or use another sturdy cereal.
- Unsalted butter: Use unsalted butter and add salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon per cup of butter is a reasonable starting point).
- Pretzel swap: Pretzel twists work fine instead of sticks.
- Extra add-ins: Try bagel chips, grated Parmesan, or goldfish crackers for more variety.
How to Make Christmas Snack Mix
This mix combines cereals, pretzels, nuts, chips, and cheese crackers tossed with seasoned butter and baked low and slow to crisp everything through. Red tortilla chips and pistachios make it festive, while dill keeps it savory.
Prep: Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 250°F (121°C).
- Step 1: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of dry ranch dressing and the Worcestershire sauce.
- Step 2: In a very large bowl, combine Cheerios, Life cereal, Rice Chex, pretzel sticks, Bugles, pistachios, cheese crackers, and broken red tortilla chips.
- Step 3: Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir to coat. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, lemon pepper, and the remaining 3 teaspoons of ranch mix; toss until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Spread the mixture in the prepared roasting pan and bake for 1½ hours, stirring every 15–20 minutes so everything crisps evenly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle additional dried dill on top to garnish. Let the mix cool for about 20 minutes before transferring to a serving bowl or packaging for gifts.
This Chex Christmas mix is festive but not sweet, and easily enjoyed year-round. It’s also a terrific edible gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
Serving size
This recipe yields a large batch—about 36 cups—making it ideal for parties and gifting. The recipe card below allows adjusting servings if you want to scale the batch up or down.
Storage
Storing: Keep the cooled mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing: The mix freezes well for up to 4 months—make ahead and freeze in sealed bags or containers.
Gifting: Package in resealable festive bags for easy gifting.
Recipe FAQs
Freeze the cooled mix in a large freezer bag or airtight container. It stays fresh for up to 3–4 months.
Toss the mix well when adding the butter mixture and bake at a low temperature, stirring every 15–20 minutes. Let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Typical seasoning includes Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry ranch dressing mix. This version adds lemon pepper and dried dill for extra brightness.
If you want a savory holiday snack mix that’s purely savory with a festive look, this Savory Christmas Snack Mix fits the bill. The ranch seasoning, lemon pepper, and dill give it a lively flavor, while the red chips and green pistachios make it holiday-ready.
Happy holiday munching!
More Holiday Snacks
-
Terry’s Chocolate Orange Wedge Cookies
-
Christmas Nougat (with Jujubes)
-
Gingerbread Almond Snowball Cookies
-
Turkey Brie Bites Recipe
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Savory Christmas Snack Mix Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups butter
- 4 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix + 3 teaspoons
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- bag of pretzel sticks
- 4 cups Life whole grain cereal
- 1 170g roasted, shelled pistachios
- 1 213 g Bugles
- 1 200g cheese Nips (crackers)
- 1 200g cheese bits crackers
- 2 cups broken red tortilla chips
- 2 tablespoon lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon onion powder
- 4 tablespoon dill weed (dried)
Garnish
- additional dill to garnish
Instructions
-
Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
-
Heat the oven to 250°F (121°C).
-
Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
-
Whisk 3 tablespoons dry ranch dressing and the Worcestershire sauce into the melted butter.
-
Combine the cereals, pretzels, Bugles, pistachios, cheese crackers, and red tortilla chips in a very large bowl.
-
Pour the butter mixture over the dry mix and stir to coat. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dill, lemon pepper, and the remaining 3 teaspoons of ranch mix; toss well.
-
Bake for 1½ hours, stirring every 15–20 minutes. Sprinkle additional dill to garnish and let cool before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze in airtight bags or containers for up to 4 months.
- Package in resealable festive bags if giving as gifts.