Go Back

Christmas Chex Mix Sweet and Salty

Christmas Chex Mix sweet and salty combines crisp cereal, pretzels, and peanuts with a buttery brown sugar coating. Bake it low and slow until dry and crisp, then toss with red-and-green M&M's for a festive finish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 17 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the mix
  • 8 cup Rice Chex
  • 4 cup Corn Chex
  • 2 cup pretzels mini
  • 1 cup peanuts salted roasted
For the coating
  • 0.5 cup butter unsalted
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar packed, light
  • 0.25 cup corn syrup light
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the finish
  • 1 cup M&M's red-and-green

Equipment

  • 2 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet
  • 1 medium saucepan

Method
 

Prepare the mix
  1. Heat the oven to 250°F.
  2. Line two 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, gently toss the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, pretzels, and peanuts.
Make the coating
  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup until smooth.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and boil for 2 minutes.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat.
  5. Stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
Bake and finish
  1. Pour the hot coating over the cereal mixture and gently toss until evenly coated.
  2. Divide the mixture between the prepared baking sheets and spread it into an even layer.
  3. Bake at 250°F for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring both pans every 15 minutes, until the coating is dry and crisp.
  4. Cool the mix completely on the pans.
  5. Toss the cooled mix with the M&M's.

Notes

Let the mix cool completely before adding the M&M's to help keep them intact and the coating crisp. Store airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week; freeze for up to 2 months. For a dairy-free variation, use plant-based butter.