Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe

If you’re craving the perfect balance between sweet, salty, crunchy, and addictive — this Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix is it! Imagine golden Chex cereal, salty pretzels, and crunchy nuts all coated in buttery homemade toffee, baked until crisp, and finished with a hint of salt for the ultimate snack mix that disappears fast.

This treat is everything you love about classic party mixes but with a rich, caramel twist. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser during the holidays, perfect for gifting, snacking during movie nights, or packing into jars for road trips. Every handful hits that crave-worthy balance that keeps you coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Addictively delicious: A crunchy, buttery, sweet-salty mix that’s impossible to stop eating.
• Homemade toffee coating: Simple caramel sauce bakes into the mix, making every bite crisp and flavorful.
• Easy to customize: Swap nuts, cereal types, or even add chocolate drizzle for your own version.
• Perfect for any occasion: Great for parties, holidays, or edible gifts.
• Stores beautifully: Stays crunchy for weeks when stored properly!

Ingredients

For the Chex Mix

• 8 cups Chex cereal (mix of corn and rice varieties)
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 cup pecans or mixed nuts
• ½ cup butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• Optional: flaky sea salt for sprinkling after baking

Optional Add-Ins (after baking)

• 1 cup M&Ms or chocolate chips (once cooled)
• ½ cup toasted coconut flakes
• ½ cup broken toffee pieces or caramel bits

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven:
   Set oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet (or two smaller ones) with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the dry ingredients:
   In a large bowl, combine Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts. Toss gently to mix everything evenly.
3. Make the toffee coating:
   In a medium saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
   Once boiling, continue cooking for 3 minutes without stirring, until thickened and glossy.
4. Add vanilla and baking soda:
   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will bubble — this reaction creates a light, crisp texture on your Chex mix.
5. Combine and coat:
   Quickly pour the toffee mixture over the Chex blend. Use a spatula to toss and coat everything evenly. Work fast before the caramel hardens.
6. Bake to perfection:
   Spread the mixture evenly on your prepared baking sheet(s). Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even coating.
7. Cool and break apart:
   Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once hardened, gently break into clusters.
8. Optional finishing touches:
   Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the warm mix for a sweet-salty pop. Add chocolate chips or M&Ms once cooled if you like extra sweetness.

Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix

Crispy, buttery Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts coated in homemade toffee for the ultimate sweet and salty snack mix.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12 cups

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chex Mix Base

• 8 cups Chex cereal corn or rice
• 2 cups mini pretzels
• 1 cup pecans or mixed nuts

Toffee Coating

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.25 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 cup M&Ms or chocolate chips add after baking

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line baking sheet with parchment.
2. Combine cereal, pretzels, and nuts in large bowl.
3. In saucepan, melt butter, sugar, and corn syrup; bring to boil for 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and baking soda.
5. Pour toffee over cereal mixture and toss until coated.
6. Spread on baking sheet; bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
7. Cool completely, break apart, and add optional chocolate or candies.

Notes

Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Great for gifting or party snacks.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh cereal and nuts: Stale ingredients will ruin the texture.
• Stir during baking: This ensures an even, crisp coating.
• Add chocolate later: Wait until the mix cools completely before adding chocolate — otherwise, it will melt.
• Make it festive: Use colored candies to match the season — red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween.
• Don’t skip the baking soda: It aerates the caramel so it coats evenly and crisps up beautifully.

Flavor Variations

• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark or white chocolate and drizzle over cooled mix for a dessert-like finish.
• Cinnamon Sugar Crunch: Add 1 tsp cinnamon to the toffee mix before baking for a cozy fall flavor.
• Nut-Free Version: Skip the nuts and use pretzels and popcorn instead.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the caramel for a fun sweet-and-spicy contrast.
• Maple Twist: Swap corn syrup for pure maple syrup for a deeper, woodsy sweetness.

Serving Ideas

• Pack into mason jars or cellophane bags for gifting — tie with a festive ribbon and tag.
• Serve in bowl clusters for parties, movie nights, or game-day snacking.
• Use as a dessert topping — sprinkle over ice cream, yogurt parfaits, or brownies for an indulgent crunch.
• Add to charcuterie or snack boards alongside nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit for contrast.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature:
Store cooled mix in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Freezer Friendly:
Freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw at room temperature without reheating to maintain crunch.

Pro Tip: Add a silica packet or a few grains of uncooked rice (in a cheesecloth pouch) to the container to absorb moisture and preserve crispness.

Fun Fact: The Origins of Chex Mix

The original Chex Mix dates back to the 1950s, when General Mills printed recipes on cereal boxes encouraging families to mix Chex with nuts and butter for parties. Over the years, creative variations exploded — from savory ranch and taco blends to sweet caramel versions like this toffee Chex mix. Today, it’s a beloved American snack that bridges generations and holidays alike, from Halloween to Christmas.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

(Based on 1 cup serving)

• Calories: 320
• Carbohydrates: 39g
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 28g

Final Thoughts

This Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix is more than just a snack — it’s the flavor of cozy movie nights, holiday gatherings, and homemade gifting all wrapped in one crunchy, buttery handful. It’s quick to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to disappear before you know it.

Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought mixes again. So grab your biggest mixing bowl — it’s snack time!