This Sweet & Salty Chex Mix recipe is a perfect blend of flavors that are irresistible. The combination of crunchy Chex cereal, toasted pecans, and peanuts coated in a rich mixture of brown sugar, butter, and dark corn syrup creates a delicious snack.
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Chex mix is a classic snack that’s perfect for munching on anytime, anywhere. But why settle for plain old Chex when you can make a sweet & salty version? This recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare and is packed with delicious flavors.
The Chex cereal provides a light and crispy base perfect for holding all the delicious flavors together. But what really makes this recipe special is the sweet and sticky glaze that coats every piece of cereal and nuts, providing a perfect balance.
It’s a great snack to have on hand for a quick and easy pick-me-up during the day or for munching on while watching your favorite movie. I love to make this when we are hosting a gathering for our guests to have.
Ingredients Needed
- Chex cereal – You can use name brand or not, it won’t matter. Another great option is Crispix cereal
- Pecans – The pecans can be substituted with walnuts, almonds, or cashews, depending on your preference
- Peanuts – I prefer roasted, salted peanuts, but you can use raw.
- Brown Sugar – The sugar provides sweetness and depth of flavor to the recipe. You can substitute it with white granulated sugar or coconut sugar, but the flavor profile will be slightly different. I’ve also used a brown sugar substitute to cut down on the sugar and calories.
- Butter – We are using salted butter here. It helps add the salty to the flavor profile.
- Dark Corn Syrup – This gives the glaze its characteristic sticky texture and sweetness. You can substitute it with light corn syrup or honey if dark corn syrup is not available.
How to Make Sweet & Salty Chex Mix
Preheat the oven to 250° F. Lightly grease a baking pan or cover it with parchment paper. Set aside.
Mix the cereal, pecans, and peanuts together in a large bowl. If you have peanuts left over try this delicious microwave peanut brittle.
Mix the brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it boils. Boil it for 2 minutes, stirring the whole time.
Remove the pot from the heat and pour it over the cereal mixture. Mix it well so that all of the cereal is covered, taking care to not break up the cereal too much. I use a rubber spatula for this.
Pour the whole mixture onto the baking pan and bake it for 1 hour, stirring it occasionally.
Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely. You can then break it up into smaller pieces and store it in an airtight container. It’s best eaten within 1-2 weeks, though I can guarantee that it won’t last that long.
Additional Helpful Tips
- Using a large mixing bowl will make mixing all the ingredients easier without making a mess.
- Using a silicone spatula to mix the ingredients together will help to prevent the mixture from sticking to the sides of the bowl.
- Stir the mixture every 10-15 minutes while baking this will help to ensure that the mixture cooks evenly and that it doesn’t burn.
- Let the mixture cool completely before serving, this will allow the glaze to harden and will give the mixture a crunchy texture.
Storing Options
Store the Chex Mix in an airtight container, like this one, at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from getting in.
If you’re making the Chex Mix for a party or event, you can portion it into individual bags or jars for a fun and portable snack.
Another cute and convenient option is to store the Chex Mix in mason jars with airtight lids. This can make for a fun gift or party favor.
No matter how you choose to store your Sweet & Salty Chex Mix, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This will help to prevent the glaze from melting or getting too sticky
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of cereal in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute Chex cereal with other types of cereal such as Crispix, Cheerios or Rice Krispies. You could also mix 2 different Chex cereals together.
Can I add other ingredients to this recipe?
You can add other ingredients such as M&Ms, chocolate chips, raisins, or dried fruit to the Chex Mix.
Can I make this recipe without nuts?
You can omit the nuts or substitute them with seeds such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
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Sweet & Salty Chex Mix
This Sweet & Salty Chex Mix recipe is a perfect blend of flavors that are irresistible. The combination of crunchy Chex cereal, toasted pecans, and peanuts coated in a rich mixture of brown sugar, butter, and dark corn syrup creates a delicious snack.
Ingredients
- 1-12 ounce box of Chex cereal
- 6 ounces pecans, halved or chopped
- 6 ounces peanuts
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250° F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or cover it in parchment paper. Set aside.
- Mix the cereal, pecans, and peanuts in a large bowl.
- Mix brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until it boils. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and pour over cereal mixture. Mix well so all of the cereal is covered, taking care to not break up the cereal too much.
- Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from oven and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
Possible add-ins include cheerios, raisins, pretzels, chocolate chips, m&m’s, slivered almonds
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