Salty, savory taco chex mix with corn chips, three types of cereal, roasted peanuts, and pretzels with homemade taco seasoning to boot. The best crunchy snack mix is made right at home! You’ll also want to check out my tangy dill pickle version.

Why this recipe works

Crunchy, salty, and a little zesty is a great way to sum up this easy taco Chex mix! Homemade Chex mix is super versatile, from the ingredients to the seasoning you use. Mix and match your favorite crunchy snacks to make that perfectly tailored blend of Mexican Chex mix. Honestly, the best part is that it lasts quite a while if stored properly (and if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers for that long).

This particular taco Chex mix recipe has been with me since 2012, and has been brought to its fair share of football parties, movie nights, and packaged into many, many school lunches over the years. The extra special ingredient is the homemade taco seasoning, which you can easily tailor to your own taste buds. Seriously, what isn’t good when it’s taco flavored?

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CEREAL – Chex cereal is a no-brainer. It’s in the name after all! I used both corn and rice Chex cereal, but you can use all of one or the other if preferred, or even substitute with wheat Chex. Mixing the Chex cereals adds more flavor! I also had some plain Cheerios on hand, which adds a nice element of texture and crunch.

ADDITIONS – On top of the cereals, there are pretzel sticks, Fritos, and roasted peanuts. Chex mix is all about the “mix”, so there’s a lot of room for customization. Allergic to nuts? Swap them out for rye chips or bagel chips. Instead of Frito corn chips, you can sub in cheese crackers (like Cheez-It), oyster crackers, or Nacho Cheese Doritos. YOu can even use “Scoops” or tortilla chips! It doesn’t matter what shape of pretzel you choose either. Snaps, twists, nuggets, or sticks are all great.

SEASONING – I used my homemade taco seasoning, so I can control the flavor, but a store-bought envelope will also do the trick.

More Taco Chex Mix Additions

Oyster crackers

Rye chips

Sesame sticks

Bagel chips

Cashews or almonds

Corn nuts

Cheese crackers (such as Cheez-It or Goldfish)

How to Make Taco Chex Mix

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Preheat oven to 250 F.
Combine cereals, chips, pretzels, and nuts.
Melt the butter. Mix melted butter with water and taco seasoning mix.
Pour half of the seasoning over the cereal and mix well with your hands. Pour the remaining seasoning mix over the cereal and stir well.
Pour onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour; stirring every 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How long does homemade Chex mix last?

If properly stored in an airtight container, jar, or zipper bag, homemade taco Chex mix can last for up to 2 weeks, maybe even longer, depending on how often you open your container. Keep it stored in a cool, dark place such as the pantry or cabinet. Be sure to allow the snack mix to completely cool before sealing it in a container or bag so you don’t trap any moisture inside.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely. As mentioned above, it lasts quite a while! Prep, bake, and fully cool the Chex mix 1-2 days in advance. Be sure to store it in a large jar, zipper bag, or a container with a lid.

Do you have to bake homemade Chex mix?

I would highly recommend baking your homemade Chex mix, as it adds a toasty flavor you wouldn’t get otherwise. Since all of the ingredients are first tossed in butter to help the seasoning stick, toasting the mix will also help everything crisp back up.

Serving Suggestions

Taco Chex mix is the ideal crunchy snack mix for game nights, parties, or as an on-the-go snack packaged into little baggies. I especially love it for get-togethers because you can prep it a few days ahead of time.

More Snack Recipes

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