Gluten-Free Chex Mix

This gluten-free chex mix is the snack I make every time we have people over. Corn chex, rice chex, gluten-free pretzels, gluten-free cheese crackers, and mixed nuts tossed in a buttery Italian seasoning blend and baked until golden and crunchy.

If you’ve been missing classic chex mix since going gluten-free, this is it. Same savory, addictive flavor, just with a few simple swaps. It keeps for two weeks in an airtight container, which means you can make a big batch and have snacks ready whenever.

Classic chex mix is loaded with gluten… wheat chex, regular pretzels, rye crackers, breadsticks. This version swaps all of that out. I’ve included the brands I use in the ingredient notes, or you can sub in your favorites.

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Corn chex and rice chex cereal – Name brand corn chex and rice chex are naturally gluten-free. Be aware that wheat chex are obviously not gluten-free. Always check the ingredients on the box to ensure you’re getting the right one. I like to use a combination of corn and rice chex for a combination of flavors.
Gluten-free pretzels – I used Snyders Gluten-Free Pretzels for this recipe, but there are so many brands of gluten-free pretzels on the market now that you can use your favorite. You can find several in the gluten-free section of your local grocery store.
Gluten-free cheese crackers – I used Simple Mills cheddar crackers, but Cheez-It now makes a gluten-free version as of early 2026. Use whatever you can find or prefer.
Roasted peanuts and roasted cashews – I love to use a combination of nuts for this recipe. Be sure that you check the labels of the nuts that you purchase. While nuts should be naturally gluten-free, many are processed on lines or equipment that also process wheat and have “may contain wheat” statements. If that’s important to you make sure you purchase nuts that are not processed on the same lines as wheat.
Unsalted butter – The base of the seasoning mixture is unsalted butter. I prefer unsalted butter to salted butter because you can add as much salt as you like to the mixture. Different salted butter brands can vary in the salt content they contain.
Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire sauce is what gives the chex mix its depth of flavor. Its unique flavor profile comes from a combination of ingredients like anchovies, molasses, onions, garlic, tamarind, and spices such as black pepper and nutmeg. Some worcestershire sauces use soy sauce and/or barley malt vinegar, so be sure to find a gluten-free worcestershire sauce. If you’re vegan, substitute the worcestershire sauce with tamari instead, as worcestershire sauce often contains anchovies or fish sauce.
Italian seasoning blend – This is what gives our chex mix some additional flavor! Italian seasoning blend is a blend you can buy at your local grocery store. It typically contains a mixture of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

Weigh Your Cereal

Measuring cups of cereal and pretzels is suepr awkward. The pieces don’t pack evenly, you have no clue how much you really have. If you have a kitchen scale, use the gram measurements instead. It’s faster and more accurate.

Step-by-Step instructions

This gluten-free chex mix recipe is so delicious and easy to make with just a few simple swaps. The below photos are meant to help you see the recipe at various stages so you can make this party mix perfectly every time.

For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe, and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.

A glass mixing bowl with gluten-free pretzels, rice chex cereal, corn chex cereal, gluten-free cheese crackers, cashews and peanuts in it. — Place the corn chex, rice chex, gluten-free pretzels, gluten-free cheese crackers, cashews, and peanuts in a large bowl. Mix until combined. Set aside.

A glass mixing bowl with melted butter in it. — In a separate bowl, add the unsalted butter. Heat in a saucepan on the stove-top or in the microwave in 30-second increments until melted.

A glass bowl with a melted butter and spice mixture that is being whisked. — Add the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and gluten-free worcestershire sauce to the melted butter. Whisk until combined.

A bowl of melted butter and spice mixture being drizzled over gluten-free chex mix in a glass bowl. — Drizzle the melted butter mixture over the snack mix. Toss until all of the dry ingredients are covered in the wet ingredients.

A white sheet pan with gluten-free chex mix on it after baking in the oven. — Place the snack mix in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes, mixing every 15 minutes, until the chex mix is golden.

A large serving bowl with gluten-free chex mix in it with appetizer plates filled with snack mix to the side and a serving spoon. — Let cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Is chex mix gluten-free?

Traditional chex mix is NOT gluten-free as it contains wheat chex cereal, pretzels, cheese crackers (like Cheez-its), and other glutenous snacks. This recipe has been formulated to be gluten-free using gluten-free products.

Which Chex cereals are gluten-free?

Chex currency makes 9 different varieties of Chex cereal, 8 of which are gluten-free. The only Chex cereal that is not gluten-free is the wheat chex variety.

Is worcestershire sauce gluten-free?

Worcestershire sauce is one of those products that is sometimes gluten-free. Sometimes, worcestershire will contain barley malt vinegar which is not gluten-free, as barley is gluten. Also, you’ll sometimes find soy sauce in worcestershire, which has wheat in it. Be sure to look for a worcestershire sauce that is gluten-free. I use Lea & Perrins, which in the United States, is labeled gluten-free.

Expert Tips

Let it cool completely. The chex mix crisps up as it cools. If you eat it straight from the oven, it’ll still be a little soft.
Make it spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or a tablespoon of sriracha to the butter mixture if you want some heat.
Make it your own. Popcorn, Cheetos, roasted almonds, pistachios, Fritos are all fair game. Fresh rosemary tossed in after roasting is great too.

Storage instructions

You can store leftover gluten-free chex mix in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make sure the container stays sealed so that your chex mix does not get stale.

Serving Suggestions

Set this out for game day alongside buffalo chicken dip and mozzarella sticks. It’s also great for road trips, movie nights, or anytime you need a grab-and-go snack. If you want variety, make a batch of my sweet and spicy chex mix too and let people mix and match.