Chex Mix is a beloved snack mix consisting of Chex cereal combined with pretzels, bread sticks, nuts, and other ingredients. One of the most recognizable components of Chex Mix are the small black ridged chips mixed throughout. But what exactly are these tangy, crunch little chips?
The History of Chex Mix
Chex cereal first debuted in 1937, created by the Ralston Purina Company. The rice and wheat cereal was touted as America’s first ready-to-eat breakfast cereal that did not turn soggy when milk was added.
In 1952, the company began experimenting with recipe ideas using Chex cereal and various other salty snack items. The goal was to create a snack mix that combined the crunchy taste of Chex with other flavors and textures. After months of testing, the first Chex snack mix recipe was introduced in 1955. It combined rye chips, pretzels, nuts, and the signature Chex cereal.
The snack mix became popular nationwide and soon “Chex Party Mix” was a staple at gatherings andevents. The original Party Mix recipe has expanded over the years to include many flavor varieties, but the classic mix remains one of the most popular.
The Black Chips are Rye Chips
So what are those black, ridged chips that give Chex Mix its tangy crunch? They are rye chips made from rye flour.
Rye chips have been part of the Chex Mix recipe since the very beginning in the 1950s. At that time, the only black chip used was a rye chip made by the Weidemann Brewing Company as a salty snack to accompany beer. Since then, the exact brand and source of the rye chips has changed over the years, but they remain an essential part of achieving the classic Chex Mix flavor.
The characteristic deep black color comes from using whole grain rye flour, which gives the chips their signature dark hue. Rye chips have an assertive, tangy flavor that balances the blander cereal and adds complementary texture. They add crunch and rich flavor to every bite.
Rye Chips Nutrition Facts
Rye chips are low fat, low calorie, but pack in fiber and nutrients compared to many other snack foods. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 1 ounce (28g) serving of rye chips:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 115mg |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, rye chips provide dietary fiber, protein, and little sugar. The whole grain rye provides more nutrients than simple refined flour snacks. The crunchy rye chips add flavor and nutrition to snack mixes.
Where to Buy Rye Chips
It’s easy to find bags of rye chips in grocery stores to use in your own homemade snack mixes. Popular brands include:
- Fritz
- RyKrisp
- Finn Crisp
- Wasa
- Amazon Foods
Look for them in the cracker, snack, or natural foods section. You can also find them online from Amazon and other major retailers. They are reasonably priced at usually $1 to $3 a bag.
How to Make Homemade Chex Mix
You can recreate the classic Chex Mix flavor at home with just a few simple ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 cup bite size pretzels
- 1 cup rye chips
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cereals, nuts, pretzels, and rye chips.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Pour the seasoning mixture over the snack mix and stir until evenly coated.
- Spread the mix evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container.
Be sure to include the rye chips to get that nostalgic Chex Mix flavor. The homemade version tastes just as good as the store-bought!
Chex Mix Flavor Varieties
While the original Chex Mix recipe remains a beloved staple, many new flavor varieties have been introduced over the years to keep the snack mix feeling fresh and exciting. Some of the most popular Chex Mix flavors include:
- Spicy – Features a kick of heat from ingredients like red pepper seasoning, chili powder, and cayenne.
- Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese powder gives this mix an orange color and cheesy flavor.
- Salsa – Southwestern spices like garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder, and cumin give this mix a robust flavor.
- Traditional – The classic recipe; perfectbalance of rye chips and seasonings.
- Sweet & Salty – Combines savory Chex flavors with sweeter additions like dark chocolate, caramel orvanilla chips.
Rye chips remain an important ingredient in many of these flavor varieties as their tang and crunch perfectly complement the bold flavors.
Gluten-Free Chex Mix Options
For those who need to avoid gluten, the good news is that Chex cereal itself is gluten-free. However, traditional Chex Mix contains other ingredients like rye chips that are not gluten-free.
Luckily, there are easy ways to make gluten-free Chex Mix at home:
- Use corn chips or gluten-free pretzels instead of rye chips
- Use gluten-free oats instead of wheat Chex cereal
- Use tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce
- Ensure all other ingredients used are certified gluten-free
There are also ready-made gluten-free Chex Mix options available from brands like Annie’s, Enjoy Life, and Glutino. Look for them in natural food stores or the gluten-free section of major grocery stores.
Chex Mix Storage Tips
To keep homemade or store-bought Chex Mix fresh and crunchy for as long as possible:
- Store Chex Mix in an airtight container at room temperature.
- For maximum shelf life up to 2 months, store in freezer.
- Let frozen Chex Mix thaw overnight in fridge before serving.
- Avoid moisture and humidity which can make it soggy.
- If mix becomes stale, recrisp it by baking at 250°F for 10 minutes.
With proper storage, you can enjoy crunchy delicious Chex Mix for months!
Creative Chex Mix Uses
Beyond snacking straight from the bag, Chex Mix can be incorporated into a variety of dishes and recipes:
- Topping for casseroles or salads
- Mix into trail mix or granola
- Coating for baked chicken breasts
- Layer in a crunchy parfait
- Stir into cookie dough or brownie batter
- Bread stuffing base for poultry
- Topping for yogurt, ice cream, or desserts
Let the classic snack mix inspire new kitchen creations!
Conclusion
The iconic black chips baked into Chex Mix are rye chips, which have been part of the beloved recipe since the 1950s. They add signature tang, crunch, and nutrition. While the original Party Mix remains popular, new flavor varieties allow you to make Chex Mix your own. You can even whip up easy homemade versions. However you enjoy it, Chex Mix is the perfect party snack with timeless appeal.