Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
Need something to munch on during a Halloween movie night or to pack into treat bags for the school party? This sweet and salty fall snack mix bakes Chex cereal, mini pretzels and peanuts in a buttery cinnamon brown sugar glaze, then gets tossed with candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, marshmallows and chocolate chips once it cools. You’ll have 6 cups in about 30 minutes.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Sweet & Salty Fall Snack Mix
- Serves: 6 Cups
- Main Ingredients: Chex cereal, mini pretzels, roasted peanuts, candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, butter
- Why You'll Love It: This fall snack mix is the perfect sweet-and-salty treat: Crunchy cereal, pretzels, candy corn, and Reese’s Pieces baked with buttery brown sugar. Pour yourself a handful, and enjoy this perfect fall treat with your favorite people!
If you love the sweet and salty combo in my salted caramel pretzel brownies, this one’s for you. It stays crunchy for days, so it’s an easy make-ahead treat for parties and road trips.
Why This Fall Snack Mix Is So Addictive
Baking the cereal, pretzels and peanuts in the butter and brown sugar glaze gives everything a toasty, caramel-like crunch, and a little cinnamon and vanilla make it taste like fall. Adding the candy, marshmallows and chocolate chips after the mix cools keeps them from melting, so you get crunchy, chewy and chocolatey in every handful.
Ingredients for Fall Snack Mix
Chex cereal: Rice, corn or a mix of both all work.
Peanuts: Skip them for a nut-free mix and add extra cereal, pretzels, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Candy: Candy corn and Reese’s Pieces are classic, but M&M’s, white chocolate chips or candy pumpkins work too.
You’ll find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- Let the baked mix cool completely before adding the candy, or the chocolate will melt into a gooey mess.
- Line the pan with parchment paper so the glaze doesn’t stick.
- Stir halfway through baking so everything toasts evenly.
- Doubling it for a party? Use two baking sheets so it doesn’t crowd.
How to Make Fall Snack Mix
1Prep the Pan
Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2Mix the Base
Combine the Chex cereal, mini pretzels and peanuts in a large bowl.
3Make the Glaze
Whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until smooth.
4Coat the Mix
Pour the glaze over the cereal mixture and toss gently until everything is coated.
5Bake
Spread the mix on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6Cool and Add the Candy
Let the mix cool completely, then stir in the candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Serving and Make-Ahead Ideas
Set out a big bowl for a Halloween movie night, or scoop it into little treat bags for class parties a few days ahead. It’s right at home on a party table with big chewy Halloween candy cookies, white chocolate candy corn cookies and a bowl of Pay Day candy mix. For more ideas, see our list of easy Halloween treats and desserts.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Fall Snack Mix FAQs
Can I make it in the microwave?
Yes. Microwave the coated cereal mixture in 1-minute intervals, stirring after each, until it’s evenly coated and fragrant, then cool and add the candy.
How far ahead can I make it?
It stays crunchy for up to a week in an airtight container, so you can make it several days before a party.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Use two large baking sheets so it bakes evenly.
Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chex cereal rice, corn, or a mix
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- ½ cup candy corn
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Toss gently with a spatula until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Once cooled, stir in candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.