Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe

Introduction

This Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix is the perfect blend of crunchy, buttery, and lightly sweetened snack that’s great for any occasion. With a mix of Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts coated in a rich toffee sauce, it’s equally addictive for movie nights or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 6 cups Chex cereal (corn or rice)
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional, for more salty balance)
• 1/2 cup mini M&Ms or chocolate chips (optional, for extra sweetness)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts. Set this mixture aside.
3. Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the brown sugar and stir continuously until the mixture comes to a simmer. Let it boil without stirring for 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up.
5. Step 5: Pour the toffee sauce over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
6. Step 6: Spread the coated Chex mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent burning.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. If desired, stir in mini M&Ms or chocolate chips while the mix is still slightly warm.
8. Step 8: Once cooled, break the mix into pieces and serve or store.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans instead of peanuts.
• If you prefer a less sweet mix, reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup.
• Swap mini M&Ms for white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for different flavor twists.
• Use gluten-free pretzels to keep the mix gluten-free.

Storage

Store the cooled toffee Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh crispiness, spread the mix on a baking sheet and warm it in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for 5-10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cereal?

Yes, both corn and rice Chex work well. You can experiment with wheat Chex or other crunchy cereals, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly.

Why does the baking soda make the mixture bubble?

Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar mixture to create carbon dioxide bubbles, which help make the toffee coating light and crisp.

Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 87 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: About 10 cups 1x

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Description

This Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix is a deliciously addictive snack that combines crunchy Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts coated in a rich toffee butter sauce. Baked to perfection and optionally mixed with mini M&Ms or chocolate chips for an extra hint of sweetness, this treat is perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime snacking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 6 cups Chex cereal (corn or rice)
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
• 1/2 cup mini M&Ms or chocolate chips (optional, for extra sweetness)

Toffee Coating

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts. Toss them together gently so everything is evenly distributed. Set this bowl aside.
3. Make the Toffee Coating: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter slowly. Once fully melted, add the brown sugar and stir continuously until it comes to a simmer. Allow it to boil gently for 2 minutes without stirring to develop the toffee flavor.
4. Add Vanilla and Baking Soda: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract, baking soda, and optional salt. The mixture will bubble up vigorously; stir carefully until combined.
5. Coat the Chex Mix: Pour the hot toffee sauce over the bowl of dry ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold and stir until every piece is evenly coated with the sticky toffee mixture.
6. Bake the Chex Mix: Spread the coated mixture in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Place it in the oven and bake for 1 hour at 250°F (120°C), stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating, prevent burning, and promote crispiness.
7. Cool and Add M&Ms (Optional): After baking, remove the Chex mix from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. While still slightly warm, fold in mini M&Ms or chocolate chips if using for an extra pop of sweetness.
8. Serve and Store: Once fully cooled and hardened, break the Chex mix into chunks. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

• You can substitute salted peanuts with other nuts like almonds or cashews if preferred.
• If you want a gluten-free version, ensure the Chex cereal and pretzels are certified gluten-free.
• For a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup.
• Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is crucial to avoid burning and achieve the perfect evenly coated texture.
• Adding M&Ms or chocolate chips is optional but adds a delightful chocolatey contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chex mix, Sweet and salty snack, Toffee Chex mix, Party snack, Holiday treat, Homemade snack mix