Caramel Chex Mix combines the nostalgia of party mix with the sweetness of gooey homemade caramel. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have two pans of golden, crunchy snack mix that hits every sweet, salty, and buttery craving. It’s the perfect treat to bag up for gifts or nibble straight off the tray.
Sweet and Salty Chex Mix That Outshines Every Party Snack
The recipe for this sweet Chex mix starts with a simple homemade caramel made with butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup, boiled until bubbling and a beautiful amber color.
That’s poured over Crispix cereal, Fritos, and pecans, then baked in the oven. The short oven time helps the caramel set, so the mix stays crisp for days.
The brown sugar caramel gives it deep, toffee-like sweetness, and the Fritos sneak in just enough salt to make every bite better than the last. If you want to mix things up, you can trade the Fritos for pretzels, Bugles, or even salted pecans for an extra kick.
This recipe is about as no-fail as they come. Once the caramel’s poured on, you just stir, bake, and cool. I have to keep this in the freezer so I don’t eat the whole batch in one sitting. Although I’ve discovered that it’s fantastic cold.
It’s a great snack for game day, movie night, or holiday tins. It’s perfect for when you just want something crunchy and sweet. Try serving it along with some double chocolate cookies for a mixture of flavors.
The all time fan favorite recipe on Butter & Baggage is my buttery bold Chex mix. We love it so much, that I wanted to create a sweet snack mix too. I chose Crispex cereal because it’s a little sturdier than traditional Chex mix, and caramel is heavier than butter.
It worked perfectly resulting in the crispy texture I was hoping for. I tried it with nuts and without and liked it both ways.
Pantry Staples for Caramel Chex Mix
You’ll need basic pantry staples plus a few extra ingredients to make this crunchy snack. Make sure to check the recipe card for the full list.
- Crispix cereal: The perfect balance of corn and rice gives you a light crunch without sogginess.
- Frito corn chips: Bring the salty crunch that keeps this mix from being too sweet.
The Easy Way to Make a Sweet and Salty Chex Mix
Step One: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Step Two: Make the Caramel
Tip: Don’t stir once it starts boiling. Only swirl the pan gently.
// My favorite saucepan works perfect for caramel //
Step Three: Add the Finishing Touches
Note: That’s normal and what gives it its light texture.
Step Four: Combine and Bake
The caramel turns every piece into a crunchy, golden bite, and the mix of sweet and salty makes it one of those snacks people love. Whether you’re packing treat bags, filling holiday tins, or just snacking while watching your favorite team, you’ll want in your regular rotation.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 10 cups Crispix Cereal
- 2 cups Frito Corn Chips
- 2 cups pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Combine cereal, Fritos, and pecans in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, add the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook at medium-high until it comes to a boil then boil for 2 minutes, swirling occasionally. Remove from the heat and add soda and vanilla.
- Immediately pour over the cereal mixture and stir to coat the cereal. Spread out the mixture onto the prepared pans and place in the oven, one on the top rack and one on the bottom. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pans and stirring every 5 minutes.
- Let it cool in the pans.
