2020 Update: We also tried the Chili Jalapeno flavor! Click here to read our review.

Hi, my name is Vin, and I was a recovering Chex Mix addict.

I don’t mean to make light, but that’s actually true. I’ve been trying to cut back on my sodium intake lately, and one of the main staples of my prior diet was Chex Mix – always Chex Mix. I never left the supermarket without a bag in my cart.

To me, every Chex Mix variety (besides Bold Party) has fallen on a scale between “damn good” and “ambrosia.” No hyperbole here, I love this stuff. They’re my favorite snack, and I was slowly kicking the habit.

That is until Chex Mix kicked back by releasing new MAX’D flavors. You didn’t think I’d skip out on these MAX’D flavors now did ya?

Of course not, you have no idea who I am. You don’t think about me at all.

Chex Mix MAX’D come in two exciting flavors – Buffalo Ranch and Spicy Dill.

There’s no “E” in MAX’D, so to remember that, I made up this lame mnemonic for ya:

The thing that sets MAX’D apart are the “flavor blasted” pieces, which are interesting, to say the least.

Buffalo is hit or miss for me, but ranch never fails. I went into these literally and figuratively thinking it was a mixed bag.

The mix consists of amazing Ranch Chex pieces that reminded me of the Sour Cream and Onion Chex, which are “ambrosia” tier. You also get standard pumpernickel chips, pretzels, and baffling “Flavor Blasted” Buffalo Chex pieces.

It’s a milder Buffalo flavor than you’d probably expect, and it packs some nice heat. They blend in perfectly with the Ranch pieces, but these blasted Chex are such a strange textural experience.

They are exactly like Muddy Buddies, except savory. For some reason, my brain had a hard time with this concept. The powder-caked pieces hit my tongue and I wanted a sugar rush every time, not the exact opposite.

The Spicy Dill blasted Chex also threw me for that same loop. They smelled and tasted like pickles, but that was perhaps a bit short-lived, as the dill got overtaken by the corresponding “Spicy” Chex pieces. This mix is hotter than Buffalo Ranch. They’re a bit too hot – not quite the Ghost Pepper I reviewed, but almost there.

You also get pretzels and cheese crackers, which I prefer to the bagel chips. These ingredients help to neutralize the burn a bit, but I wish the dill pieces were cooler, creamier, and maybe not flavor blasted.

I expected to prefer the pickle flavor, but the Buffalo Ranch won me over. They’re still both pretty “damn good,” but I don’t think I’ll be safe from a Chex Mix relapse for a while. Also, keep in mind my dumb brain couldn’t comprehend the spicy Muddy Buddy MAX’D pieces, and that’s probably clouding my judgment. I’m still confused.

I need more opinions, so give em a try.

Purchased Price: $2.50 each
Size: 8.75 oz. bag
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Buffalo Ranch), 6 out of 10 (Spicy Dill)
Nutrition Facts: (1/2 cup) Buffalo Ranch – 140 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 280 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Spicy Dill – 140 calories, 4 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 320 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.