Halloween Snack Mix
This Halloween snack mix is packed with crunchy Chex cereal, salty pretzels, and plenty of colorful candy. Everything gets coated in a buttery brown sugar sauce before baking, so it’s a little sweeter and richer than a basic cereal mix.
It also makes a big batch. You’ll need two large baking sheets, but that works out well when you’re feeding a party crowd or filling smaller bags for Halloween treats.
The mix is sweet, salty, crunchy, and easy to change depending on which Halloween candy you can find.
My Best Tips Before You Start
Let the baked cereal mixture cool completely before adding the candy. If it’s still warm, the chocolate will soften or melt and leave streaks throughout the mix.
Spread the cereal between both baking sheets rather than piling it onto one. A thinner layer is easier to stir and helps the brown sugar coating bake evenly.
You’ll also want to use your largest mixing bowl for this recipe. There are 20 cups of cereal and pretzels before the candy goes in, so a regular bowl fills up fast. You can always cut the recipe by half if you want to make less.
For more sweet and crunchy party snacks, try our buttery caramel popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, or easy popcorn balls.
How to Make Halloween Snack Mix
Prepare the pans: Preheat the oven to 275°F, and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Add both kinds of Chex cereal and the mini pretzels to a very large mixing bowl.
Make the brown sugar coating: Microwave the butter and brown sugar until the butter melts. Whisk them together until smooth, then carefully stir in the vanilla.
Coat the cereal: Slowly drizzle the warm brown sugar mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Stir as you pour so the coating doesn’t collect in one spot. Continue mixing until everything is lightly and evenly coated.
Bake the snack mix: Divide the mixture between the prepared baking sheets and spread it into even layers. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so the pieces bake evenly and don’t stick together in large clumps.
Cool and add the candy: Remove the pans from the oven and let the cereal mixture cool completely. Transfer it back to the large bowl, add the Autumn Mix candy, Reese’s Pieces, and M&M’s, then stir until the candy is well combined.
Serve the Halloween party mix in a large bowl or divide it into smaller cups or treat bags.
How to Video
Ingredients
Butter and Brown Sugar Sauce
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Party Mix Dry Ingredients
- 7 cups Corn Chex
- 7 cups Rice Chex
- 6 cups mini pretzels
- 16.2 ounces Autumn Mix Candy
- 10 ½ ounces Reese's Pieces
- 1 cup M&M’s candy, harvest colors if available
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F, and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the butter and brown sugar in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the butter melts, then whisk until smooth. Carefully stir in the vanilla extract.¾ cup unsalted butter¾ cup light brown sugar2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- Combine the Corn Chex, Rice Chex, and mini pretzels in a very large mixing bowl.7 cups Corn Chex7 cups Rice Chex6 cups mini pretzels
- Slowly pour the brown sugar mixture over the cereal and pretzels, stirring until evenly coated.
- Divide the cereal mixture between the prepared baking sheets and spread it into even layers.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Remove the pans from the oven, and allow the cereal mixture to cool completely.
- Transfer the cooled mixture to a large bowl. Add the Autumn Mix candy, Reese’s Pieces, and M&M’s, and stir to combine.16.2 ounces Autumn Mix Candy10 ½ ounces Reese's Pieces1 cup M&M’s candy
Notes
- Make sure the baked cereal mixture is completely cool before adding the candy. Warm cereal may cause the chocolate to soften or melt.
- Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Use half the amount of the ingredients to make a smaller amount of snack mix.
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of ½ cup. Actual calories will vary.