4.8 from 87 votes
Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe
This Sweet and Salty Chex Mix combines crunchy corn Chex cereal with a sticky, caramel-like coating made from butter, corn syrup, sugar, and vanilla. Mixed with salted nuts such as cashews and peanuts, it offers a balance of sweet and salty tastes with a chewy, sticky texture. Optional M&Ms add bursts of chocolate and color after the mixture cools slightly to prevent melting. The recipe yields a large batch suitable for sharing or gifting during holidays.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
8
Servings
Calories:
795 kcal
Course:
Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks, salted
- 1 & 1/2 cups light corn syrup
- 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 & 1/2 cups cashews and/or peanuts, or to taste, salted
- 8 cups corn chex cereal *
- M&Ms optional, Christmas
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil. Once there are bubbles all the way across the surface, set a timer for 3 minutes and stir occasionally. When it is a caramel consistency, remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Stir in the cashews and peanuts to get them completely coated.
- Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Spray a large baking sheet with plenty of nonstick spray.
- Add the Chex to the greased bowl, then pour the syrup over the cereal and stir to combine. Keep stirring and wait for the mixture to cool down a bit before adding your M&Ms, otherwise they tend to split open and get chocolate everywhere.
- Once all the cereal is coated, use a wooden spoon to spread it on a large greased baking sheet.
- Let cool completely. It will set up some but will remain pretty sticky. Sticky's not in the title on accident :)
- Store this in large ziplock bags. Or if you plan to deliver this as a gift, scoop some into a wide-mouth mason jar and tie a ribbon around the top.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Measure cereal by volume (cups) rather than relying on original box sizes, as packaging sizes may vary.
- Regular corn Chex is preferred over Wheat Chex for texture in this recipe.
- Add M&Ms only after the mixture has cooled slightly to prevent melting and chocolate bleeding.
- Store the finished mix in large ziplock bags to maintain freshness and ease of gifting.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
795kcal
(40%)
Carbohydrates
121g
(40%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
61mg
(20%)
Potassium
215mg
(5%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
91g
(182%)
Vitamin A
1709IU
(34%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
127mg
(13%)
Iron
11mg
(61%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 795
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 795kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 121g | 40% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 61mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 215mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 91g | 182% |
| Vitamin A | 1709IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 127mg | 13% |
| Iron | 11mg | 61% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.