A Simple Sweet Snack Mix
This easy Sweet Chex Mix recipe is a delicious, buttery treat made with crispy cereal, crunchy nuts, and a sweet, lightly caramelized coating. Best of all, it comes together quickly with simple ingredients and minimal effort. Whether you’re preparing snacks for a holiday gathering, a party, or a busy day, this irresistible treat is sure to be a big hit. Plus, its perfectly balanced sweetness makes it satisfying without being overly sweet. As a result, it’s an excellent choice for lunchboxes, afternoon snacking, or sharing with family and friends.
Time & Servings:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 10-12 servings
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups bagel or rye chips (optional)
- 1 cup mixed nuts or peanuts (optional)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper if desired.
- Combine the dry ingredients: Add the Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Pretzels, Mixed Nuts, and Bagel or Rye chips to a large bowl. Stir gently to combine.
- Make the seasoning: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup until combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently, and let it boil for about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, baking soda, and salt. The mixture will foam slightly.
- Coat the mixture: Immediately pour the warm butter-sugar mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Bake: Spread the coated cereal mixture evenly across the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to help the coating distribute evenly and prevent sticking.
- Cool: Remove the Chex Mix from the oven and let it cool completely. It will become crisp as it cools.
- Serve and store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Tips
Avoid burning the syrup: Keep the saucepan at medium heat and watch the sugar mixture closely.
Let the sweet Chex mix recipe cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking apart any clusters.
Optional: you can also add cheerios, chocolate or dried fruit only after cooling.