Popular Chex Mix Flavors Ranked Worst To Best
For decades, Chex Mix has been one of America's favorite snacks. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or you simply need something to munch on while you watch the big game, this yummy, filling snack is up for the task. Originally, you needed to follow a Chex Mix recipe that could be found on the back of a Chex cereal box. But beginning in 1987, approximately 35 years after the first recipe for Chex Mix appeared on a cereal box, you could purchase pre-made Chex Mix as we know it today (via General Mills).
Unlike other snack options, Chex Mix is anything but monotonous. Every handful is different than the last. The original flavor of Chex Mix is a savory snack that is composed of Corn Chex cereal, Wheat Chex cereal, pretzels, miniature breadsticks, and rye chips. New Chex Mix flavors can be completely different, however. Not only are some of the new flavors sweet or spicy instead of savory, but the composition of the mixture also varies widely from mix to mix.
To help you discover the best Chex Mix flavors, we've ranked all of the most popular flavors that you can currently buy from the worst to the one flavor that most deserves the top spot.
20. Ghost Pepper
If you're craving a spicy version of Chex Mix, there are numerous options to pick from. However, the one flavor you should stay far away from is Ghost Pepper. This stuff is so spicy that there's nothing enjoyable about it at all, even if you already go wild for the hottest of hot sauces. Even if you eat Ghost Pepper Chex Mix while sipping on a cold gallon of milk, it still promises to be a miserable time.
If you read the bag of this version of Chex Mix, you'll see plenty of warnings of what's to come. The words "danger" and "scary hot" that you see shouldn't be taken lightly. Yes, there are other foods that contain ghost pepper that aren't actually too spicy. For example, Dunkin' made a donut with ghost pepper and the spiciness level wasn't anything special for most folks. But when it comes to the Ghost Pepper flavor created by Chex Mix, you should either heed the warnings or you'll end up paying a painful price.
Ghost peppers started getting popular in America around the year 2000. These peppers quickly rose to fame for being the hottest chili peppers you could find in any corner of the globe. It's not a good idea to mess around with ghost peppers unless you know exactly what you're doing. Even touching them can be dangerous if you don't take the right precautions, so consider that when contemplating this ultra-spicy Chex Mix.
19. Max'd Buffalo Ranch
Max'd Buffalo Ranch is a Chex Mix flavor that sounds like it has a ton of potential. On the bag, you will see a Buffalo wing being dipped in a creamy bowl of ranch dressing. It's a sight that might be enough to make your mouth begin to water. Chex Mix that tastes like everything you love about eating Buffalo wings sounds awesome, right? Sadly, this flavor will leave you feeling highly disappointed.
Firstly, this Chex Mix has no chicken flavor. It doesn't even attempt to taste like chicken. That's a shame, especially because Chicken in a Biskit proves that it's possible to get chicken flavor into a snack form. Secondly, the flavor of the Buffalo sauce is just weird. It tastes nothing like the Frank's RedHot sauce you were probably expecting. It tastes more like ketchup with a slight amount of spice. The final issue is the ranch flavor, or rather the lack thereof. The ranch here is so modest and so quiet that you'd miss it completely if you didn't know to look for it.
Add it all up and there's simply no way that this flavor of Chex Mix will satisfy your hankering for Buffalo wings. All it will do is tease your taste buds. Long before you finish eating the entire bag, you'll be tempted to throw the rest of it in the garbage can and head toward the closest restaurant that sells authentic Buffalo wings.
18. Sour Cream & Onion
When you see the Sour Cream & Onion flavor of Chex Mix, you may be lulled into a false sense of security. Don't let that happen to you. Sure, sour cream and onion chips are adored by many and scrumptious varieties are sold by a number of brands. In fact, this chip flavor is the Mashed readers' favorite. But just because sour cream and onion chips are glorious doesn't mean that magic will extend to the world of Chex Mix.
If you open your mouth and anticipate the flavor you'd get from Lay's legendary sour cream and onion chips, this flavor of Chex Mix might actually cause you to gag once it hits your tongue. It tastes nothing at all like you would imagine. The primary problem is that the onion flavor is too strong. It's almost as if you took a big bite of a scallion without anything around to dampen the flavor. The secondary issue is the sour cream is too sour. On its own, this flavor profile wouldn't be too notable. However, the sourness will just put you in a worse mood because you still won't be recovered from the shock of the strong onion flavor.
17. Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies
If you've never tried Chex Mix Muddy Buddies before, you're in for a surprise. These things are a unique snack and unlike anything else you've eaten before. They basically take the corn Chex pieces from standard Chex Mix and then lovingly bless each piece with a thick, voluptuous coating of scrumptiousness. Many flavors of Chex Mix Muddy Buddies are worthy of acquiring. Tragically, Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies isn't one of those flavors.
Cookies and cream ice cream is undeniably marvelous. The flavor, which Blue Bell says it invented, expertly combines creamy, delicious vanilla ice cream with chocolate cookies, most often Oreos. However, somewhere between trying to transport that flavor from a bowl of ice cream to a corn Chex piece, something went terribly wrong. Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies taste like they've been coated with a super sweet white chocolate with an off-putting chemical aftertaste. These things aren't missing any sugar so why they have a chemical aftertaste is a mystery. You'll give up eating this flavor long before you reach the bottom of the bag.
16. Cheddar
The Cheddar flavor of Chex Mix is another flavor that will give you high hopes but will ultimately let you down. While this stuff is certainly edible, it's ultimately just not worth the aggravation of trying. Instead of going with this version of Chex Mix, save yourself some frustration and just pick another flavor that sits higher in this ranking.
The dilemma regarding the Cheddar version is twofold. First of all, the cheddar taste is extremely underwhelming. Instead of a strong cheese flavor, you get an oh-so-wimpy ghost of something that tastes more like American cheese than genuine cheddar cheese. Second of all, the orange coating on these Chex Mix pieces will prove to be annoying, as anything you touch will turn a bright shade of orange. Considering one of the best attributes of Chex Mix is how portable it is, that's a definite drawback.
If you're eating something like Cheetos, that snack's classic and unmistakable cheesiness makes dealing with the Cheeto dust and your resulting orange fingers arguably more palatable. But Cheddar Chex Mix, on the other hand, isn't good enough to justify the irritation of leaving orange fingerprints everywhere.
15. Jalapeño Cheddar
The Jalapeño Cheddar version of Chex Mix is better than the previously mentioned Cheddar flavor — but not by a whole lot. It's actually quite similar, which is part of the problem and why it doesn't deserve a full-hearted recommendation.
The good news is that the bright orange color that is so bothersome about the Cheddar flavor isn't as big of an issue if you opt for Jalapeño Cheddar. The bad news is the cheese taste is still way too light. On top of that, this Chex Mix flavor isn't as spicy as it sounds. While jalapeños aren't nearly as hot as ghost peppers, they're still spicy. Unfortunately, the spiciness at play is very limited, likely a disappointment for anyone who reached for jalapeño flavor in the first place. There's not even enough heat for these things to be elevated from mild to medium.
If you travel to your local supermarket and your two Chex Mix options are somehow only Cheddar or Jalapeño Cheddar, then go with Jalapeño Cheddar. The taste is very similar and this one is more portable if nothing else. Better yet, go to another supermarket and find a superior flavor of Chex Mix.
14. Honey Nut
When you see a bag of Honey Nut Chex Mix, you'll likely be reminded of Honey Nut Cheerios. Chex Mix that tastes like Honey Nut Cheerios, a cereal that has been tantalizing taste buds since 1976, would be a dream come true for snackers from coast to coast. Regrettably, that's not the case here.
While the colors of the packaging are very similar compared to the Honey Nut Cheerios box, Honey Nut Chex Mix is sweeter and saltier than its cereal counterpart. While the fabled cereal has a nearly perfectly balanced flavor profile, that can't be said about this variety of Chex Mix. In fact, the sweetness and saltiness will become too much to bear before too long. If you're committed to finishing off the bag, plan on having numerous breaks and a lot of liquid on hand.
That said, the Honey Nut flavor of Chex Mix features an interesting addition. Along with the typical goodies that you find in the other flavor of Chex Mix, this is the only flavor that features miniature vanilla cookies. The cookies look like tiny cinnamon rolls but actually pack a lot of vanilla flavor. If you're curious, go ahead and buy this Chex Mix version just to try the mini cookies that you'll find in the bag.
13. Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
The second variety of Chex Mix Muddy Buddies to make this ranking is Snickerdoodle. This version isn't bad — but it's not all that great, either. All told, it's an average snack that you won't have a problem chowing down, especially if you're hungry.
If you buy Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies, the first thing you should do is forget all about the word "snickerdoodle". That turns out to just be a marketing gimmick when it comes to this snack, as these aren't much like those Christmas cookies you know and love. Real snickerdoodles are soft, gently flavored, and boast an extra pillowy texture. Conversely, these Muddy Buddies are as hard and crunchy as all of the other flavors. More importantly, real snickerdoodles have an unmissable tangy flavor due to the presence of cream of tartar in the mix. That tanginess is completely missing when it comes to Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies. Instead, you'll find these corn Chex pieces covered with only cinnamon and powdered sugar.
If "Cinnamon Sugar Muddy Buddies" is something you'd want to purchase, go ahead and get these, as that would be a far more apt name. Just know you won't get anything featuring a true snickerdoodle flavor or texture.
12. Trail Mix
Let's say that you like both classic trail mix and Chex Mix. Thus, why not go with the Trail Mix version of Chex Mix? That's not a horrible idea, especially if you have an especially loud sweet tooth that is always demanding nourishment. Compared to a regular bag of Chex Mix, the Trail mix version trades out the mini breadsticks and the rye chips and adds candy-coated pieces of chocolate, peanuts, and raisins.
The chocolate candy is comparable to M&M's, while the peanuts have the perfect level of saltiness and the raisins are extra sweet. So, why doesn't Trail Mix Chex Mix occupy a higher spot on this list? The reason is the mix's inconsistency. From bag to bag, you can typically be confident in what you'll get from a flavor of Chex Mix. Unfortunately, you won't have that same level of assurance with this version of Chex Mix. For example, one bag will have a lot of peanuts and not many raisins, while the next bag will have a lot of raisins but too few pieces of chocolate candy. Unless you feel like gambling, you should probably consider selecting another flavor.
11. Honey BBQ
Honey BBQ Chex Mix is a pleasant surprise. It's not the best version of Chex Mix you can find, to be sure, but it's above average and will leave you licking your fingers. What makes this stuff a surprising hit is the barbecue flavor. Usually, when something is called honey barbecue, that's a hint that the barbecue flavoring is going to be way too sweet. Thankfully, that's not a problem with this Chex Mix variety at all. The sweetness is subtle enough that it allows for this snack's natural savoriness to shine. The barbecue flavor is comparable to a top-tier fast food barbecue sauce or a grocery store barbecue sauce, which is high praise for something that comes in the form of a snack.
Another positive attribute of the Honey BBQ flavor is the fact that you won't get bored of it. Even if you snack on this specific flavor of Chex Mix every day for a week, you'll still be ready and willing to grab another handful.
10. Brownie Supreme Muddy Buddies
While a few flavors of Chex Mix don't live up to their name, Brownie Supreme Muddy Buddies isn't a flavor that will disappoint you in the slightest. This snack doesn't just taste like chocolate, it specifically tastes exactly like brownies. Brownie-flavored corn Chex pieces may sound strange — but it works.
If you like your brownies to be extra crunchy, you might fall head over heels for Brownie Supreme Muddy Buddies. It's even possible that you'll prefer this snack to genuine brownies straight from the oven. If you prefer soft, gooey brownies, you probably won't be as thrilled with this snack, but you're still sure to gobble up Brownie Supreme Muddy Buddies with a grin that extends from ear to ear. It's impossible to not like this mix unless you don't like brownies to begin with.
To make this snack even more majestic, consider customizing your mix by adding a generous amount of peanuts and caramel chips. The resulting snack masterpiece will taste like an upgraded version of Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares.
9. Max'd Spicy Dill
Based solely on its name, you can rightfully guess that Chex Mix's Max'd Spicy Dill flavor is the opposite of yawn-inducing. However, you'll still be shocked by how fascinating this flavor really is. It doesn't just taste like the hot and spicy dill pickles you can find at the grocery store. This flavor is much, much more than that.
There are so many layers of flavor to the Max'd Spicy Dill flavor that you'll be looking at the label to figure out exactly what is in this bag of Chex Mix. Ingredients found on the label include dill weed, garlic powder, onion powder, dried sour cream, vinegar, soy sauce, cheddar cheese, and malt syrup. Those ingredients begin to tell the story of the unique flavor experience you need to prepare for. Yes, this Chex Mix flavor tastes like dill pickles. But it's also satisfyingly spicy, savory, and sweet all at the same time that may surpass the real thing.
Though this flavor won't be for everyone, especially those individuals with a timid palate, if you end up liking the Max'd Spicy Dill flavor, you may be in store for a full-blown addiction to this snack before you know it.
8. Mint Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Mint Chocolate Muddy Buddies is another flavor of Chex Mix that simply isn't for everybody, just like the aforementioned Max'd Spicy Dill. Its flavor is joltingly powerful, so it isn't for those who only casually enjoy mint chocolate. This snack is for individuals who are downright obsessed with mint chocolate. For example, if your favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip and your favorite candy is a York Peppermint Pattie, then this Chex Mix flavor will be right down your alley.
The strength of this flavor really can't be overstated. If you eat a handful of Mint Chocolate Muddy Buddies, your breath will smell like you just brushed your teeth. The mintiness will also make the inside of your mouth feel so cold that you'll want to drink something warm afterward.
The only downside to this flavor is it's not the best when you're starving and need to do some serious snacking. The strong mint flavor will force you to pace yourself and eating an entire bag in one sitting is simply not a realistic outcome.
7. White Cheddar
The newest flavor of Chex Mix is White Cheddar — and it's an unadulterated winner. As was detailed above, the Cheddar flavor is a bust on multiple fronts. To Chex Mix's credit, they apparently realized they needed to go back to the drawing board. They must have known that it was time to really amp up their cheddar-powered flavor. Better late than never.
The White Cheddar flavor fixes everything that was wrong about the Cheddar flavor. First, this version actually tastes like authentic cheddar cheese. Within moments of it hitting your taste buds, you'll know that you're dealing with the real deal. Second, the cheddar flavor isn't bashful. Each piece is overflowing with the flavor advertised on the bag. Last but not least, you don't have to worry about accidentally painting your surroundings bright orange if you upgrade to the White Cheddar version. That makes this a snack you can take with you just about wherever you go.
Just like one of the best flavors of Cheez-Its is its White Cheddar variation, the same holds true for this snack, as White Cheddar is no less than an elite flavor of Chex Mix.
6. Dark Chocolate
If the sweet and the spicy flavors of Chex Mix don't catch your eye but you still yearn to try something new, you need to consider their Dark Chocolate flavor. Connoisseurs of dark chocolate will love this stuff. It features a lot of chocolate and all of the chocolate has a deep, rich, and beautifully dark flavor.
Compared to a regular bag of Chex Mix, you'll find a plethora of differences. The only thing that remains the same is the presence of corn Chex pieces. Beyond that, the wheat Chex pieces have been traded out in favor of yogurt and cocoa Chex pieces. The rye chips have likewise been removed and replaced with wafers made with dark chocolate, while the mini breadsticks have now become candies that are basically dark chocolate M&M's. Even the pretzels have taken an upgrade to transform into chocolate pretzels. Put it all together and this is a delicious snack that is sure to brighten even your gloomiest of days.
5. Turtle
Of all the sweet, candy-like flavors that Chex Mix sells, the Turtle flavor is the best. By combining chocolate, caramel, and nutty goodness, Chex Mix was able to hit a home run. This flavor is unquestionably sweet but there is enough diversity here for you to look forward to and cherish each subsequent mouthful.
Creating the Turtle flavor was surely a complex task. First, they took some of the corn Chex pieces and coated them with a luscious amount of caramel, while others were graced with some cocoa coating. While the pretzels remained the same, peanuts and candy-coated chocolates were added to the mix as well. Finally, the wheat Chex pieces, rye chips, and mini breadsticks were removed and replaced by popcorn that has been coated with yet more caramel.
While it all tastes delectable, the caramel popcorn is what truly steals the show. After you try this Turtle flavor, you'll be tempted to add caramel popcorn to all of your bowls of Chex Mix. Not only does it add a burst of flavor, but the one-of-a-kind texture also adds an element of fun.
4. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Chocolate and peanut butter is a marriage that was born in snacking heaven. When these two ingredients are combined, you can almost always guarantee that happy times will be had. Just like how Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are quite possibly the best candy bars in the universe, the best Chex Mix Muddy Buddies flavor is without a doubt Peanut Butter & Chocolate. It's so good that you might not buy another version of Muddy Buddies again after you give it a taste test.
This snack is nothing more than the name suggests, where peanut butter is combined with chocolate to create an unforgettable gem of a snack. The final step is to add the perfect amount of sweetness and the perfect amount of saltiness to make the peanut butter and chocolate pop even more.
While the chocolate taste is amazing in its own right, it's the peanut butter that makes this snack really shine. To compare the peanut butter flavor to a well-known brand, it tastes a lot like Jif. That's quite a compliment considering that Jif is the best peanut butter brand that you will discover anywhere in the country.
3. Hot & Spicy
If you're in the market for a spicy version of Chex Mix that brings the optimal amount of heat to the table, pick the Hot & Spicy flavor. Then, get ready to be wowed. As you've read, there are a lot of spicy Chex Mix options, but many of them underwhelm for one reason or another. This stuff, though, will restore your faith in the spicy snack mix if you've tried one of the other disappointing spicy flavors.
On the bag, Chex Mix says this flavor is "really freaking hot," but don't let yourself be intimidated by that warning. This version is like a walk in the park compared to the truly pain-inducing Ghost Pepper flavor. Yes, the Hot & Spicy flavor is indeed hot and spicy, but the heat is completely manageable for most people. It's spicy enough to grab your attention but also flavorful enough that you'll never want to stop eating it.
Chex Mix doesn't spell out exactly what makes this flavor so spectacular but it tastes like there are multiple types of hot peppers in the recipe. Additionally, it also tastes as if Hot & Spicy has more garlic than most of the other flavors and more savory goodness overall. The result is a snack so memorable that you'll even go so far as to tell your family and friends about it.
2. Traditional
The Traditional flavor of Chex Mix is still alive and well. Despite all of the newer and more fashionable flavors that this brand now sells, there's just something so joyous about their original flavor. If you've loved this snack since childhood, you'll be relieved to learn that it still tastes exactly how you remember.
So what does the Traditional flavor of Chex Mix taste like? Even if you've eaten it since your earliest days on this planet, you may still be flummoxed by that question. Plainly put, nothing else in the snack aisle has a similar taste. The answer to that question isn't simple or even fully known. The best guesses maintain that the flavor of Traditional Chex Mix features Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and butter, creating that uniquely savory flavor profile of Traditional Chex Mix.
Nowadays, Chex Mix has a lot of legitimately wonderful flavors. Many of them are worthy of trying, especially when you're in the mood for something more overtly sweet or spicy. You may even fall in love with one of the other flavors. However, it's safe to say that one day you will eventually return to the Traditional flavor. This is where it all started and it's still the most comforting flavor of them all.
1. Bold
While there will always be a spot in your heart for the Traditional flavor of Chex Mix, go with the Bold variety if you want to experience what the best of the best tastes like. The cool thing about this flavor is that it's based on the recipe of the Traditional flavor, so if you like the original Chex Mix, you're sure to love Bold.
What makes the Bold flavor so special? Think of it as Traditional Chex Mix on steroids. The savoriness is so epic that it's beyond your wildest dreams. It's like Chex Mix took the Traditional flavor and added even more butter, more garlic powder, more onion powder, and, most noticeably, more Worcestershire sauce. The Bold flavor also tastes just a little bit saltier. You may think that Traditional Chex Mix can't be outdone, but all it will take is one bite for you to be completely and utterly convinced otherwise.
If you're shopping for a snack for a get-together you're throwing, Bold Chex Mix is your best choice. Everyone who has tried this flavor before will go straight to it because they know how delicious it will taste. Those people who have only tasted the Traditional flavor will trust the Chex Mix brand enough to give it a try — and they'll be blown away. Frankly, no other snack that you can buy can guarantee you this level of success.