Are you craving a sweet, crunchy, and addictive snack that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or a cozy night in? This Sweet Chex Mix Recipe is your answer!
Whether you’re hosting a game night or looking for a make-ahead snack, this recipe will become your go-to.
Let’s dive into why this sweet Chex mix will steal your heart and how to make it perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Chex Mix Recipe
Delicious Taste: The mix has a great combination of sweet and buttery flavours with a little salt, making it hard to stop eating.
Quick to Prepare: You can make it easily with just a few ingredients, and it will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Personalizable: You can add your favourite candies, nuts, or chocolates to make it special.
Great for Any Event: Whether it’s a holiday party or a movie night, everyone, both kids and adults, will love it.
Make Ahead: You can prepare it in advance and keep it for weeks.
Ingredients
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup mini pretzels
1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, peanuts, or cashews)
1 cup M&M’s or chocolate chips (optional)
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
⅓ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine Corn Chex, Rice Chex, pretzels, and mixed nuts. Set aside.
Make the Coating: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble (about 3-4 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. The mixture will foam slightly.
Coat the Mix: Pour the warm butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Toss gently with a spatula to evenly coat all pieces.
Bake: Spread the coated mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning.
Cool and Add Candies: Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
If using M&M’s or chocolate chips, sprinkle them over the mix while it’s still slightly warm so they stick. Let cool completely.
Break Apart: Once cooled, break the mix into bite-sized clusters and transfer to an airtight container.
Tips for the Perfect Sweet Chex Mix
Stir Regularly: Stir the mix every 15 minutes while baking to keep it crunchy and even.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cereal and nuts improve the taste and crunch.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you want it less sweet, use only ½ cup of brown sugar.
Don’t Overcrowd: Spread the mix out evenly on the baking sheet to keep it from getting soggy.
Let It Cool: Allow the mix to cool completely before storing it to keep it crispy.
Variations and Substitutions
For Chocolate Lovers: Replace M&M’s with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or mini Reese’s Pieces.
Nut-Free: Leave out the nuts and add more pretzels or cereal instead.
Holiday Fun: Use red and green M&M’s for Christmas, pastel candies for Easter, or candy corn for Halloween.
Spicy Flavour: Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture for a sweet and spicy taste.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pretzels and make sure your cereals are gluten-free.
Vegan Option: Replace butter with vegan margarine and choose vegan-friendly candies.
Serving Suggestions
Party Snack: Use pretty bowls to serve at birthday parties, baby showers, or game nights.
Holiday Gift: Put in mason jars or clear bags with a ribbon for a nice homemade gift.
Movie Night Treat: Mix with popcorn for a tasty sweet-and-salty snack while watching movies.
Kids’ Lunchboxes: Pack in small bags for a fun treat at school.
Dessert Topping: Add on top of vanilla ice cream for a crunchy dessert.
Make-Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Instructions
Make-Ahead
Prepare this Sweet Chex Mix up to 2 weeks in advance. Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Avoid humid environments to prevent the mix from becoming sticky.
Freezing
Freeze in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Note: Candies like M&M’s may change texture after freezing, so consider adding them after thawing.
FAQs
Q: Can I make Sweet Chex Mix in the microwave?
A: Yes! Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in vanilla, baking soda, and salt, then coat the cereal mixture. Spread on a baking sheet and let cool.
Q: How do I prevent my Chex Mix from getting soggy?
A: Ensure the mix is spread evenly during baking and cools completely before storing. Use an airtight container to keep moisture out.
Q: Can I use different cereals?
A: Absolutely! Try Wheat Chex, Cheerios, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch for a different flavour profile.
Q: How long does Sweet Chex Mix last?
A: When stored properly in an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, but use two baking sheets to avoid overcrowding and ensure even baking.
Q: Can I make this without corn syrup?
A: Substitute corn syrup with honey or maple syrup, but note the flavour will slightly change.
Q: Is this recipe kid-friendly?
A: Yes! Kids love the sweet crunch, and you can make it nut-free for safety.
Q: Can I add dried fruit?
A: Yes, dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots add a chewy texture and tart flavour.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this Sweet Chex Mix Recipe is the ultimate snack for any occasion, combining crunchy cereals, salty pretzels, and a sweet, buttery coating that’s impossible to resist.
With easy prep, endless variations, and make-ahead convenience, it’s no wonder this recipe is a favorite for parties, holidays, and everyday snacking.
Try it once, and it’ll become a staple in your recipe collection.
Share it with friends, gift it to loved ones, or keep it all to yourself—we won’t judge!
Read More:- Bold Chex Mix Recipe Crockpot
Sweet Chex Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 1 cup M&M’s or chocolate chips optional
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix Corn Chex, Rice Chex, pretzels, and nuts.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until bubbling (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, baking soda, and salt.
- Pour butter mixture over cereal, tossing to coat.
- Spread on baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool for 10 minutes, add M&M’s if using, and break into clusters.
- Store in an airtight container.
