Crunchy caramel Chex mix is the perfect mix of buttery sweet caramel and crunchy salty goodies. It is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
If you like sweet and salty snacks, this recipe is for you. It is one of those snack mixes that is hard to stop eating once you start.
It is a fun mix of cereals, peanuts, and pretzels in a crunchy caramel coating. It is a bit like caramel corn or caramel Crispix mix, but with more different textures and flavors.
By now you know we love a good snack mix. It is not uncommon for us to serve both a savory snack mix and a sweet snack mix at a party.
In fact, that is what we did when we made this for the big game. We had a giant batch of this and a batch of crockpot Chex mix as well.
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Everyone started going for the regular Chex mix. Once they had a bite of this caramel goodness though, it is what they kept going back to.
Make sure to use an oversized saucepan when making the caramel coating. The mixture bubbles up pretty big when it is boiling and again when you add the baking soda.
We used peanut butter M&Ms in this batch and that was a big hit with our crew. You can use whatever M&Ms you like best, or even use Reese’s Pieces instead if you want.
There are several other ways you can change up this recipe. For instance, use mixed nuts instead of peanuts.
Or use a different mix of cereals if you want to. As long as you keep the basic proportion of crunchy stuff to caramel the same, pretty much anything goes.
Storage
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!
It will stay good for a week or two if it is kept out of the humidity.
Crunchy Caramel Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cups pretzels
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 6 cups rice Chex or corn
- 4 cups cornflakes
- 2 cups roasted peanuts
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups M&Ms
Instructions
- Put the 4 cups pretzels, 4 cups Cheerios, 6 cups rice Chex, 4 cups cornflakes, and 2 cups roasted peanuts in a large mixing bowl.
- In a large sauce pan, bring the 2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup butter, ½ cup light corn syrup , and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil while stirring occasionally for five minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon baking soda.
- Pour the hot caramel mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir to coat.
Oven Directions
- 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 M&Ms.
- Once cool, break into smaller clumps and sprinkle with candies. Store in an airtight container.
Microwave Directions
- This Chex mix can also be made in a large brown paper grocery bag. Just place all of the cereals, pretzels, etc. in the bag. Make the caramel mixture as described above. Pour the caramel mixture over the cereal in the bag and roll down the top of the bag to seal it and carefully 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 candies. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
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Get in my belly crunchy snack goodness! Perfect for class parties, game days and good ole snacking any day!
😁