Cereal squares, pretzels, crackers, nuts and Bugles are coated in a sweet and spicy mix of butter, brown sugar and cayenne in this flavorful snack mix.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I always like to have a big bowl of snack mix ready for the holidays, and this Sweet and Salty Snack mix is a family favorite.
Actually, with teenage boys home on school break, what I make is more like a bucket of snack mix. And it still seems to disappear within days.
Okay, I confess, I probably eat as much of it as they do. It’s just so GOOD, and a little bit addicting. If I’m not careful I can polish off a big bowl of this snack mix without even noticing.
So do feel free to cut this recipe in half if you aren’t planning to feed a crowd–or three hungry boys and their friends.
Or fill some cellophane bags with this snack mix, tie them up with pretty ribbons, and share them with neighbors and co-workers this holiday season!
If you are making a huge batch and you have one of those electric turkey roasters, they’re great for making lots of party mix at once.
We’re big fans of traditional Chex Party Mix, but this sweet and spicy version is a great way to mix things up a little bit.
With brown sugar and a hint of cayenne pepper and chili powder, this snack mix works whether your craving something sweet or something a little spicy.
And it’s got all kinds of great ingredients, like Bugles (my personal favorite), and Parmesan Goldfish, in addition to the usual Chex cereal, pretzels and nuts.
Just be careful, because like I said, once you get started, it’s hard to stop eating this Sweet and Salty Snack Mix!
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Ingredients
- Chex cereal
- Bugles
- Parmesan Goldfish crackers
- Pretzels
- Mixed nuts
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Corn syrup
- Spices: chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt
- Vanilla
- Baking soda
Sweet & Spicy Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 6 cups Bugles
- 4 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 4 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
- 2 cups Parmesan Goldfish crackers
- 2 cup small pretzels
- 2 cups mixed nuts
- 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 6 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large roasting pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the Bugles, cereals, Goldfish, pretzels and nuts.
- In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes, or until coating is set. Remove from oven and stir again.
- Spread mixture onto waxed paper to cool, then break into pieces. Store in a covered, air-tight container for up to 1 week.
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Nutrition
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5 comments
Rebecca
This has been a Christmas and holiday staple in our home since you first published this in 2015. We love it! The only chance I make is to use honey roasted nuts in ours for a little boost of sweetness. Thanks for being a tasty part of our holidays all these years!
Brasserie Niche
Hi Danelle, will make this for my kids! Thanks a lot for this great recipe.
Kathleen
I love having homemade snack mix around for the holidays. Your recipe looks fabulous! Love the bugles!
Danelle
Thanks Kathleen!
Gina
Oh my – I wish I didn’t see this. Snack mix is a huge weakness for me- especially one that is both salty & sweet. This sounds incredible!