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Sweet & Salty Caramel Chex Snack Mix

There’s something irresistible about a snack that hits both sides of the flavor spectrum. This Sweet & Salty Caramel Chex Snack Mix combines crunchy Chex cereal and crisp crackers with a rich, buttery caramel coating. Everything is baked until golden, crunchy, and beautifully caramelized, creating a snack that is sweet, salty, buttery, and completely addictive.

It’s the kind of treat that disappears quickly at parties, movie nights, holidays, or even straight from the container while you’re standing in the kitchen. The caramel hardens around every piece, giving the cereal and crackers a delicate crunch without making the mixture overly hard or sticky.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Snack Mix

This recipe is especially easy because you don’t need complicated ingredients or special equipment. The caramel sauce comes together on the stovetop, then gets poured over the cereal and crackers before everything goes into the oven.

The combination of textures is what makes it so good. The Chex cereal provides plenty of airy crunch, while the crackers add a salty, crisp bite. Once coated in buttery caramel and baked, every piece develops a golden, toasted exterior.

You can also customize the mix with your favorite crunchy additions, making it perfect for using whatever you already have in your pantry.

Ingredients

For the Snack Mix

4 cups Chex cereal
3 cups crackers of your choice
1 cup pretzels
½ cup roasted peanuts or pecans, optional

For the Caramel Coating

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

If you’re using salted crackers and pretzels, you can reduce the added salt slightly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray. Using a large baking sheet gives the mixture enough room to spread out, which helps the caramel coat the ingredients evenly.

2. Combine the Crunchy Ingredients

Add the Chex cereal, crackers, pretzels, and optional nuts to a very large mixing bowl.

Gently toss everything together. Try not to crush the cereal or crackers—you want to keep the pieces as intact as possible so the finished snack has plenty of texture.

Set the bowl aside while you prepare the caramel.

3. Make the Buttery Caramel

Place the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and let it melt completely.

Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Once it begins bubbling, continue cooking for about 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly so the sugar doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the pan.

The caramel should look glossy and slightly thickened.