Our family's favorite snack is so irresistible, we always make at least four times the original recipe.

If you visit our house during any holiday or get-together between October and January, you'll find a huge bowl of this one dish waiting for you.

I’d even argue that this snack is a more essential part of our holiday spread than turkey or mashed potatoes. I’d take it over Halloween candy in October any day. I honestly can’t recall a holiday when my mom wasn’t whipping up batch after batch to make sure there’s enough to go around.

Unlike many secret family recipes, this one isn’t a gourmet meal or dessert. In fact, it’s more of a snack than anything. And it’s not really a secret either—it’s straight from the side of a cereal box.

But there’s nothing that will make your guests smile more than a big bowl of homemade Chex Mix. It’s always the first stop for most of my family members when they walk through the door. Plus, it’s so simple to make, you’ll be able to enjoy it all season long without any hassle.

Chex Mix is our family's most beloved 'secret' recipe.

I’ve never been a fan of store-bought Chex Mix. It’s not that it’s bad, but there’s just something about my mom’s homemade version that makes it so much better.

This recipe is another one that my mom picked up from my dad’s side of the family. As the main cook for most of our family’s holiday gatherings, she had no choice but to add Chex Mix to her repertoire. For over two decades, she’s made countless batches, only to watch them vanish in minutes.

It may not be the fanciest dish at a holiday party, but it’s definitely the best snack to munch on while waiting for the main meal. When hosting, my mom never has to worry about guests getting hungry. It’s a hit with everyone, kids included, and it’s so easy to prepare ahead of time. Plus, the house always smells amazing when it’s baking.

It's impossible to count how many batches of Chex Mix my mom makes during the holiday season. The way it disappears so quickly is proof that everyone loves it. It’s not just a great pre-dinner snack—it also makes a wonderful gift when packaged in tins for neighbors or loved ones. Perfect for special occasions, but also a fantastic after-school snack.

This simple addition to our holiday gatherings makes all the difference, yet it couldn't be easier to make. It might be our family's most loved recipe, but it's no secret. You could grab the ingredients at your local grocery store right now.

How to Make Homemade Chex Mix

Our cherished Chex Mix recipe didn’t come from a grandma’s secret cookbook. We don’t have it locked away for only the chosen few in the family to know. It’s simply the recipe on the side of a box of Chex.

Much like the classic cookie recipe on the back of a bag of chocolate chips, the best Chex Mix recipe is right there on the box. The only tweak my mom makes is that she quadruples the ingredients.

In fact, changing the recipe in any way would stir up some serious family drama—no marshmallows, chocolate chips, or dried fruit (even though I think those additions would be delicious). We stick to the box recipe and make batch after batch until we’re running back to the store for more Chex cereal.

If you don’t have a box of Chex in your pantry yet, we’ve got a very similar recipe right here on our site. I promise, it’s going to change your life. The blend of warm spices and melted butter poured over this crunchy snack will have you thinking, “Just one more handful,” until you look down and realize the bowl is empty.

Once pretzels, cereal, and nuts are baked to golden perfection, they become even more irresistible. So much so, that many guests might say it’s their favorite dish you served during the holiday visit. Not because the other dishes weren’t delicious, but because there’s just something about Chex Mix that keeps pulling you back for more.

Get the recipe: Homemade Chex Mix