This Sweet and Salty Chex Mix recipe has a perfect balance of flavors and will satisfy any craving. The mix has a little something for everyone with a combination of Bugles, Rice Chex, pretzels, nuts, and candy tossed in a sweet syrup!
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What makes Sweet and Salty Chex Mix so perfect for a game day snack?
Hosting a game day get-together doesn't have to be complicated. All you need is some drinks, good food, and a few great friends. You are on your own when it comes to drinks and friends, but we have you covered when it comes to snacking.
This Sweet and Salty Chex Snack Mix is loaded with salty favorites like Bugles, pretzels, Rice Chex, and nuts with just enough sweetness from the candies to bring you back for more.
Why you'll love this recipe
Since you can prepare this mix ahead of time, you'll have plenty of time to cheer on your favorite team with your friends without being stuck in the kitchen. Unfortunately, that may lead to perhaps the biggest problem with this version of Chex Mix.
If you aren't careful, it's so good you'll wind up eating all of it before your guests even show up! But don't worry, this best Sweet and Salty Chex Mix recipe is so quick and easy to make, you can whip up another batch during the pregame show!
Sweet and Salty Chex Mix ingredients
For Sweet and Salty Chex Mix with Bugles, you'll need:
- Bugles
- Rice Chex Cereal
- Mini pretzel twists
- Dry roasted peanuts
- Honey roasted peanuts
- Light brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Light corn syrup
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Reese's Pieces
If you don't like Reese's Pieces, you can use M&Ms instead.
Feel free to swap out the Rice Chex with Corn Chex or Wheat Chex.
How to make this version of Chex Mix
To make this classic sweet and salty snack mix:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Heavily spray a large roasting pan with non-stick spray or grease with a neutral cooking oil like canola.
- Pour the Bugles, Rice Chex, mini pretzels, and both types of peanuts into the greased roasting and use your hands to combine gently. Reserve for later.
- In a medium saucepan, stir together the light brown sugar, unsalted butter, light corn syrup, and salt. Bring to full boil over medium heat while stirring with a wooden spatula.
- Take the saucepan off the heat and very carefully stir in the vanilla extract and the baking soda. The mixture will foam, so make sure your hands are away from the saucepan.
- Carefully pour the hot syrup over the ingredients in the roasting pan.
- Shake the roasting pan and use a wooden spatula to help evenly coat the ingredients.
- Bake for 15 minutes in the center of the preheated oven. After every five minutes of cooking time, remove the mix from the oven and stir gently with a wooden spatula.
- While the Chex Mix is in the oven. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Spread the hot mix out of the prepared parchment-lined baking trays and return to the oven for two minutes more. Watch carefully to avoid burning the mix.
- Remove the baking pans and set on wire racks.
- Sprinkle the Reese's Pieces over the top of the warm mix while the syrup is still sticky.
- Cool the Sweet and Salty Chex Mix with Bugles entirely before eating or storing.
What to serve with it?
Build the best snack table in the neighborhood with these easy-to-make recipes:
- Fried mushrooms. Logan's Roadhouse Fried Mushrooms are hot and crispy. Their earthy flavor helps to highlight the sweetness of the Chex mix.
- Firecracker meatballs. A platter of these one-bite beef and scallion Firecracker Meatballs tossed in a spicy and sweet sauce will add a bit of heat to your next party.
- Veggies and dip. Lighten things up with a bowl of Green Onion Dip and plenty of crudite. Baby carrots, celery sticks, and bell pepper strips are great opinions.
How to store Chex Mix
Put Sweet and Salty Chex Mix with Bugles in an airtight container. You can keep it in the cupboard at room temperature, or, for long-term storage, freeze it.
How long does it last?
Room-temperature Chex Mix that you keep away from excessive moisture will stay fresh for two to three weeks. Frozen Chex Mix is good for two or three months. But don't throw away the mix if it loses a little crunch.
Reheating it on a parchment-lined baking tray in a 350°F oven for a few minutes can go a long way to reviving it.
More Chex Mix recipes
Sweet and Salty Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cups Bugles
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- 1 cup bite-sized pretzel twists
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 cup honey roasted peanuts
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the Bugles, Chex, pretzels, and peanuts in the prepared pan. Mix and set aside.
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and baking soda, and stir. The mixture will foam up and expand.
- Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture and toss to coat.
- Bake the Chex mix on the center rack for 15 minutes, removing every 5 minutes to stir.
- Remove the Chex mix from the oven and spread it out over wax paper to cool for about 2 minutes before sprinkling the Reese’s Pieces on top.
- When completely cool, store in an airtight container.
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