This fun Chex mix has all sorts of goodies that hit the right sweet and salty notes. There are both microwave and oven instructions to get the buttery crunchy caramel coating that makes it so good.
Sweet and salty snack mixes eaten by the handful are always a good idea. Especially when they are so quick and easy.
This fun caramel coated Chex mix will keep your hand coming back for more every time. It is a fun mix of cereals, pretzels and peanuts all wrapped in a caramel coating.
The best part is it is finished in the microwave. So you get that crunchy coating without even having to turn on the oven.
You are going to want to make it for every party and holiday from now on. Nobody will complain either, it is so good they’ll be begging for more.
Sweet and Salty Snack Mixes
It is hard to beat a good sweet and salty combination. Instead of satisfying each craving separately, you get to do it all in one bite.
Sweet and salty snacks are always a hit at parties. Especially when they have a variety of textures and flavors mixed in.
Our white Christmas trash recipe is always a hit for that reason. It combines bugles, pretzels, nuts and more with a white chocolate coating.
This mix is similar, but features a buttery caramel instead of the white chocolate. The crunchy texture and the mix of flavors is hard to beat.
It is perfect for snacking on at a party. Or bag some up and give it to people as an edible gift.
Carlee’s Tips and Tricks:
You can follow this recipe exactly and use pretzels, peanuts, cheerios, cornflakes, Chex and Bugles. It is a perfect mix of crunchy goodies.
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However, you can very easily experiment with your base ingredients. If you don’t feel like buying all of those items, leave one or two out.
Just make sure to replace that volume with something else. So if you don’t want to do cornflakes, add 2 extra cups of something else.
If peanuts aren’t your thing, use mixed nuts instead. Or use cashews or almonds or whatever you like best.
Or leave out the Cheerios and add more Chex. You get the idea, you just want to keep the total volume of goodies pretty close to the original recipe.
When making the caramel, make sure to use an oversized saucepan. The mixture bubbles up pretty big when it is boiling and again when you add the baking soda.
Why Add Baking Soda To Caramel?
Adding baking soda to the hot sugar mixture causes it to bubble up. Those air bubbles help to give the caramel volume, making it easier to coat all of the cereal mixture. Plus it helps to give it the right crunchy texture when it is finished.
If using the microwave, make sure there are no staples or anything in your grocery bag. You don’t want to put metal in the microwave.
Make sure the mixture is completely cooled before you put it in an airtight container. This maximizes the crunchiness. You don’t want it soggy from still being hot!
Use A Bowl Instead!
If you don’t have a paper grocery bag, you can finish this snack mix in a large glass bowl. Just stir it well after the cooking intervals rather than shaking it.
Mary-Ann’s Sweet and Salty Caramel Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cups small pretzels
- 4 cups cheerios
- 4 cups rice Chex or your favorite variety
- 2 cups cornflakes
- 2 cups peanuts or mixed nuts
- 7.5 oz. bag bugles
- 2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces or a combination
Instructions
- Put the 4 cups small pretzels, 4 cups cheerios, 4 cups rice Chex, 2 cups cornflakes, 2 cups peanuts, and 2 cups peanuts in a large mixing bowl for oven directions or a paper grocery bag for the microwave.
- In a large saucepan, melt together 2 cups light brown sugar, 1 cup butter, ½ cup light corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon baking soda, taking care because the mixture will foam and bubble.
Microwave Instructions
- Pour hot caramel mixture over cereals in the brown paper bag. Roll the top down to seal and shake to coat.
- Place bag in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. Carefully remove bag and shake, turning the bag over to make sure everything is coated. Repeat this process for a total of 5 times in the microwave, with a shake after each.
- After the last trip to the microwave, dump the contents of the bag onto sheets of wax paper. Carefully spread the mixture out a bit. You want clumps, but not one huge clump! Allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, break into smaller clumps and sprinkle with 2 cups M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Oven Directions
- Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir to coat.
- Preheat oven to 250℉ and grease a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Spread the caramel coated cereal mixture over the baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Spread cereal mixture over sheets of wax paper to cool. Sprinkle with the 2 cups M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces.
- Once cool, break into smaller clumps and sprinkle with candies. Store in an airtight container.
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More Popular Sweet Snack Recipes
Sweet snack mixes like this make for fun little gifts too. Just put it in a festive container or little cellophane bags for a cute little treat.
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So good
Yay!
This is so good! My husband (who has a sweet tooth) appreciates something different from my usual Chex mix. Thank you! Does this freeze well?
I haven’t tried it, but it should freeze well. I would make sure it is in an airtight container and then defrost it in the fridge so that you don’t get too much condensation. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Will do! Thank you!
Instead of microwaving, can this be baked?
Certainly! Bake it at 250F for 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. It is great that way too!
Thank you!
confused so bake for 15 minutes and stir every 15 minutes? Made this in the paper bag and yes it is pretty good but a lot of the product was left on the paper!! Would love to just bake it
I am so sorry, bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. I will include those instructions in the recipe card too. That way it will be easier to find from now on. I usually like baking it better as well. Sometimes, the ease of the microwave wins out, though!
It is so fun and people's hands just keep going back for more!
Thank you!
This sounds like a perfect snack for my husband when he gets back to work!
It is a fun one to munch on, that is for sure. You'll have to let me know what he thinks!
Your caramel snack looks delicious. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Thank you, it was very munchable!