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.
Jump to RecipePioneer 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
- 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.
- Make the butter mixture: In a separate small bowl, whisk the melted butter, light brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

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 Peanut Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Meatball Polenta Bowl Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Bow Tie Lasagna Recipe
Pioneer Woman Garlic Ranch Party Mix Recipe
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes50
minutes183
kcalAn 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.