Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe

Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe is a savory and addictive recipe, which is made with a homemade garlic ranch seasoning and a crunchy blend of cereals and pretzels. It’s the perfect party snack, ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

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Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray (for the baking sheet)
  • 90g buttermilk powder
  • 4 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 4 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried chives
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 115g (1 stick) salted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup (about 35g) corn cereal squares
  • 1 cup (about 35g) rice cereal squares
  • 1 cup (about 35g) wheat cereal squares
  • 1 cup thin pretzel sticks
  • 1 cup salted and roasted mixed nuts
  • 1 cup pita chips
  • 1 cup bite-sized cheese square crackers
  • 10 cups (about 70g) store-bought popped popcorn

How To Make Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix

  1. Prep the oven and seasoning: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Lightly spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, parsley, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the ranch seasoning.
  2. Make the butter mixture: In a separate small bowl, whisk the melted butter, light brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
  3. Combine the mix: In a very large bowl, combine the corn, rice, and wheat cereals, pretzel sticks, mixed nuts, pita chips, and cheese crackers. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture over the mix and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  4. Season and bake: Sprinkle all but 1 tablespoon of the ranch seasoning over the coated mix and toss again until everything is well-coated. Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure it toasts evenly.
  5. Add the popcorn: Once the mix is toasted and crispy, remove it from the oven. Place the popcorn in a large, clean bowl. Drizzle the remaining butter mixture and sprinkle the remaining ranch seasoning over the popcorn, tossing to coat.
  6. Finish and serve: Add the hot, toasted snack mix to the bowl with the seasoned popcorn and toss everything together to combine. Serve immediately or let it cool completely before storing.
Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe
Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • How do I keep the party mix from burning? Stirring is essential. Set a timer to remind yourself to stir the mix every 15 minutes while it’s in the oven. This helps all the pieces toast evenly and prevents the smaller bits from burning.
  • Why add the popcorn at the end? Popcorn can become tough and chewy if it’s baked for a long time. Tossing it with the hot, freshly baked mix at the end ensures it stays light and crispy.
  • How do I get the most flavor? Make sure your dried herbs and spices are fresh. Spices lose their potency over time, so using a fresh batch will give you the best and most vibrant ranch flavor.
  • Can I customize the ingredients? Absolutely. This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to swap in other types of crackers, nuts, or cereals that you enjoy.

Variations and Add-Ins

This party mix is a great base for customization. Try adding:

  • A spicy kick with a pinch of cayenne pepper in the spice mix.
  • Other crunchy snacks like oyster crackers or bagel chips.
  • Different types of nuts, such as all pecans or almonds.
  • A sweet element by adding M&M’s or chocolate chips after the mix has cooled completely.

How To Store Garlic Ranch Party Mix

Room Temperature: Once the party mix has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crispy for up to 5 days. Freeze: Freezing is not recommended, as it will make the crackers and cereal lose their crunch.

Garlic Ranch Party Mix Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 183 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Sodium: 450mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this party mix ahead of time?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead snack for any party or gathering. It stores well for several days.

My mix seems a little damp after baking. What should I do?

If the mix doesn’t feel completely dry and crispy after 50 minutes, you can bake it for another 10-15 minutes. Let it cool completely on the baking sheet, as it will continue to crisp up as it cools.

Can I use a pre-made ranch seasoning packet?

You can, but the homemade version with buttermilk powder gives it a richer, tangier flavor that is hard to beat. If using a packet, you may need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe.

Try More Recipes:

Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe

Recipe by MarryCourse: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes
Calories

183

kcal

An addictive, crunchy, and savory party mix coated in a homemade garlic ranch seasoning.

Ingredients

  • Ranch Seasoning: 90g buttermilk powder, 4 tsp each garlic & onion powder, 1 tbsp dried chives, 2 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp each dried parsley, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, & pepper.

  • Butter Mixture: 115g (1 stick) salted butter (melted), 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.

  • Mix-Ins: 3 cups mixed cereal squares (corn, rice, wheat), 1 cup each pretzel sticks, mixed nuts, pita chips, & cheese crackers.

  • For Tossing: 10 cups popped popcorn.

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Combine all ranch seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard.
  • In a large bowl, combine all mix-ins except the popcorn. Toss with most of the butter mixture.
  • Sprinkle with most of the ranch seasoning and toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until toasted.
  • Toss the hot mix with the popcorn and the remaining butter and seasoning.

Notes

  • Stir the mix regularly during baking to prevent burning and ensure even crisping.
  • Add the popcorn after baking to keep it from getting tough or soggy.
  • Use fresh spices and herbs for the most vibrant and delicious ranch flavor.
  • Store the completely cooled mix in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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