Chex Mix is a popular snack mix made by General Mills that contains different types of crackers, pretzels, bread sticks, and sometimes nuts or seasoning mixes. The classic Chex Mix contains a variety of crackers made by General Mills under the Chex brand. The most common Chex crackers found in Chex Mix are:
Wheat Chex
Wheat Chex is made from whole grain wheat and has a crispy, biscuit-like texture. It has a light wheat flavor that is not too sweet. Wheat Chex is one of the most recognizable crackers in Chex Mix with its pillow-shaped biscuits.
Rice Chex
Rice Chex is made from rice and corn and has a crispy, crunchy texture. It is one of the lighter tasting Chex cereals, with a mildly nutty, corn flavor. The small rice cracker rounds are a quintessential part of Chex Mix.
Corn Chex
Corn Chex is made from corn and rice and has a crisp, crunchy texture. It has a sweet, corn flavor that balances well with salty snacks. The small, curved corn crackers add texture and corn flavor to Chex Mix.
Other Chex Crackers
While Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, and Corn Chex are the most common, other types of Chex cereals are also sometimes found in Chex Mix, such as:
- Honey Nut Chex
- Chocolate Chex
- Cinnamon Chex
- Blueberry Chex
These additional flavors add extra sweetness, spice, or fruit flavors to the snack mix.
The History of Chex Mix
Chex Mix first debuted in 1937 as a response to the popularity of nuts and snacks served at bars. The original Chex Mix recipe was created by Walter Diemer, a Ralston Purina employee. It was called the “curiously crunchy snack” and was a mix of Wheat and Rice Chex cereals.
The recipe was improved over the years, first adding Corn Chex in the 1950s. In the 1970s, the recipe expanded to include rye chips and breadsticks. The snack mix increased in popularity through marketing campaigns and expanded distribution.
By the 1990s, many different flavors of Chex Mix were available, including Hot & Spicy and Cheddar. In 1997, Chex Mix was acquired by General Mills, which continues to produce it today.
How Chex Mix is Made
The basic recipe and production process for Chex Mix has remained largely unchanged since its invention in 1937. The snack mix starts with large batches of Wheat, Rice, and Corn Chex cereals that are specially produced for Chex Mix in different shapes and sizes than the cereals sold in boxes.
The Chex pieces are mixed together and then baked to crisp them further. The baked Chex then passes under seasoning drums where the powdered seasoning blend is added. The main flavors are savory, cheese, and hot and spicy.
After seasoning, the Chex Mix passes through quality control checks. Finally, it is packaged in bags, cans, or boxes and shipped out to stores.
While the process uses automation and volume production, care is taken to ensure the Chex pieces maintain their crispy texture and even coating of seasonings.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition content of Chex Mix will vary slightly between flavors and recipes. However, the classic recipe contains around 110 calories per 1/2 cup serving size, with about 1 – 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber. It does not provide significant vitamins or minerals, as it is considered a snack food.
Here is the nutrition information for a 1/2 cup serving of classic Chex Mix:
| Calories | 110 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 2.5g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Carbs | 20g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Protein | 2g |
The main nutrients in Chex Mix come from the whole grains in the Chex cereals. However, the snack mix is high in sodium, containing about 8% of the daily recommended value per serving. It is considered a highly processed food low in essential nutrients.
Where to Buy Chex Mix
Chex Mix is widely available at most grocery stores in the snack aisle. Popular retailers that carry Chex Mix include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Publix
- HEB
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Amazon
Chex Mix comes in sizes ranging from small single-serve pouches to large family-size containers. The most common sizes are 15 oz and 30 oz bags. It is usually priced between $1.50 – $5 depending on the size.
General Mills Coupons
General Mills frequently offers coupons on their website and through promotional offers that can be used to save money on Chex Mix purchases. Common discounts include:
- $1 off one box of Chex Mix
- Buy one, get one free Chex Mix
- 50 cents off two bags of Chex Mix
- $1 off when you buy 3 participating General Mills products
Chex Mix coupons are regularly featured in Sunday newspaper inserts as well. Watching for sales, clipping coupons, and looking for promotions can help save on the cost of Chex Mix.
Alternative Snack Mixes
While Chex Mix is a classic and popular snack mix, many other brands and recipes exist for individuals who want an alternative snack mix option. Some other salty, crunchy snack mixes include:
Gardetto’s
Gardetto’s is a main competitor to Chex Mix and makes snack mixes with a blend of cereal pieces, pretzels, breadsticks and pita chips. Popular flavors are Original and Roasted Garlic.
Bugles-Gardettos Mix
This snack mix combines Bugles corn chips with Gardetto’s cereal and pita blend for an extra crunchy and flavorful mix.
Rold Gold Pretzel Mixes
Rold Gold offers pretzel mixes like Pretzel Thins and Tiny Twists mixed with sticky sesame sticks and crispy breadsticks.
Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers
For a gluten-free option, Crunchmaster makes crunchy multi-seed crackers that can be mixed with nuts and pretzels to create a homemade snack mix.
Oatmeal Cereal Mix
Mixing oatmeal cereal like Cheerios with nuts, pretzels and seasoning creates a snack mix with a different flavor profile.
Trail Mix
Trail mixes with nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate pieces make for a sweeter, energy-packed alternative to salty Chex Mix.
In Summary
Chex Mix is a beloved snack mix that has been around since 1937, containing crunchy Chex cereal pieces as its base. The most common Chex cereals in the mix are Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, and Corn Chex, but other flavors sometimes make an appearance as well. While the original recipe was simple, today’s Chex Mix comes in a variety of flavors and can be found in the snack aisle at most major grocery stores. It provides a tasty, crunchy snack full of savory flavor, though it is high in sodium and fat. With its widespread popularity though, Chex Mix remains a pantry staple for many snackers today.