How to Make Spooky Halloween Chex Mix: A Sweet and Crunchy Treat
Get ready for a Halloween snack that’s both spooky and delicious! Halloween Chex Mix is a funblend of cereal, pretzels, and your favorite fall candies, all coated in a sweet and crunchy caramel syrup.
I make this snack for my kids… but I love it too. With its buttery caramel coating and plenty of candy, it’s a fun Halloween recipe for all. Enjoy!
Halloween Chex Mix
Equipment
- 9 x13 baking dish
- saucepan
- large bowl
Ingredients
Caramel Syrup
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Snack Mix
- 18 ounce box corn chex cereal
- 2 cups candy corn
- 2 cups cream pumpkin candies
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 package candy eyes
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Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Then, pour the cereal into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Make the syrup. Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for about 2 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, add the baking soda, and stir well until combined.
- Bake the cereal and syrup. Pour the caramel syrup over the Chex cereal in the baking dish. Gently stir to coat the cereal evenly, being careful not to break the pieces. Bake at 275°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to make sure an even coating.
- Cool. Remove from the oven and let the cereal cool completely in the baking dish. The coating will harden and become crunchy as it cools.
- Mix. Once cooled, transfer the caramel-coated cereal to a large bowl. Add the candy corn, cream pumpkin candies, mini pretzels, and candy eyes. Toss gently to combine.
Notes
More Tips:
Put your Chex Mix in a tightly sealed container to keep it crispy. You can also freeze it in a sealed container or freezer bag if you make it in advance.
You can add your favorite fall candies or nuts for more crunch. Just be sure to add them after the mix has cooled.
Add in my Amish caramel corn for some extra fun. You can also pour caramel over the pretzels, but I always break them.
If you’re making double or triple the recipe, use a bigger baking dish or multiple dishes to make sure the mix bakes evenly.
Key Ingredients and Tools
You can substitute some of the ingredients, especially the candy, but keep the syrup recipe the same if at all possible.
- Light corn syrup: This helps make the caramel syrup smooth and shiny. You can find it in the baking aisle.
- Candy eyes: These are usually found in the cake decorating section and add a fun, spooky touch.
- Silicone spatula: This tool is great for stirring the caramel syrup without crushing the cereal. It can handle high temperatures and is easy to clean.
- 9×13 baking dish: A large baking dish allows the mixture to spread and bake evenly. If you don’t have one, you can use two smaller dishes.
Here are some substitutions that will work:
- Butter: Instead of butter, you can use margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- Light corn syrup: You can substitute light corn syrup with honey or maple syrup.
- Brown sugar: Use white sugar mixed with a tablespoon of molasses instead of brown sugar.
- Candy corn: You can use chocolate chips or dried fruit instead of candy corn.
These substitutions will alter the flavor and texture of the recipe, so feel free to experiment and see which version you like best.
I hope you have fun making (and eating!) with your family. It’s a simple and tasty treat that’s just perfect for the season.
Whether you want to share it with your friends or keep it all to yourself, you’ll love it!
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
