Caramel Chex Mix

Name: Caramel Chex Mix
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 cups Bugles; 4 cups rice Chex cereal; 1 cup tiny pretzel twists; 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup salted butter; 3 tablespoons light corn syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Published Dec 13, 2023 | Updated Jun 7, 2024 | By Laura

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Caramel Chex Mix is the tastiest snack or gift for the holiday season. Cereal and pretzels are coated in caramel for a sweet and salty treat.

Homemade Caramel Chex mix is a delightful combination of sweet and salty that's perfect for any occasion but especially during the holidays. When my family arrives at my folks house for the holidays, my mom always has a 2 gallon mason jar filled to the brim with Christmas Crunch. Whether you're snacking while watching your favorite movie, or making it as a homemade gift for friends and family, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser.

It's is a simple-to-make and versatile holiday mix that can be easily adjusted with your favorite add-ins. People often find themselves reaching for more handfuls because it's difficult to stop once you start. It's so delicious that you might want to go ahead and make a double batch! Once you make this mix and fall in love with it, be sure to also check out my Praline Crunch and Christmas Chex Mix.

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Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Great for Gifting: This Caramel Chex mix recipe can be packaged beautifully and given as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays or special occasions.
Sweet and Salty Combination: Caramel Chex mix strikes a perfect balance between sweet and salty flavors. The caramel coating adds a rich sweetness, while the Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts provide a satisfying salty crunch.
Make It Ahead of Time: It keeps well at room temperature for weeks, so it's a great way to save time when you're getting ready for a party or get-together.
Versatility: You can add various nuts, pretzels, candies or even chocolate chips to tailor it to your liking.
Addictive Quality: The combination of sweet and salty flavors, along with the satisfying crunch, can be highly addictive.

Ingredients in Caramel Chex Mix

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Bugles: Part of the base structure of the mix, contributing to it's crispy and crunchy texture and savory appeal.
Rice Chex Cereal: Part of the base and structure of the mix, contributing a crispy and crunchy texture.
Tiny Pretzel Twists: Their saltiness complements the sweetness of the caramel, creating that perfect sweet-and-salty contrast.
Brown Sugar: Primary source of sweetness in caramel sauce, giving off a molasses like flavor.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the caramel sauce. It also contributes to the flavor, providing a buttery, indulgent taste.
Light Corn Syrup: Helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing during the caramelization process.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall taste and makes it more fragrant.
Baking Soda: Creates a bubbly, airy texture resulting in a lighter and less dense caramel sauce.

The ingredients displayed that are needed to make a Chex mix.

Tools You'll Need

How to make Caramel Christmas Crunch

In a large roasting pan, combine Bugles, Chex and pretzels.

Mixing Chex, bugles and pretzels in a roasting pan.

To a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil.

Mixing the ingredients in a small sauce pan for caramel Chex mix.

Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda.

Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture, and toss until all of the pieces are coated well.

Pouring caramel sauce on top of caramel Chex mix.

Bake at 375˚F 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
Carefully transfer the hot mix onto parchment paper on a countertop. Once the mix has completely cooled, break into pieces.

Breaking apart caramel Chex mix on parchment paper.

Tips and Substitutions

Availability: If you don’t have Bugles in you’re area, corn chips can be used instead.
Even Coating: Ensure that the caramel sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
Stirring During Baking: Stir the mix every 5 minutes while it's baking to prevent it from clumping and ensure an even caramel coating. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
Cool Thoroughly: Allow the Caramel Chex Mix to cool completely on the parchment paper. This helps the caramel set and gives you the perfect crunch.
Cereal: While Chex cereal is my favorite choice for this Christmas Crunch recipe, you can experiment with other cereals like Cheerios or Crispix for different textures and flavors.
Nuts: An optional add-in, nuts or seeds, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can add fiber, healthy fat, and an added crunch.
Add-In Options: Feel free to add your favorite seasonal candy or baking chips to the mix once it's cooled and been broken into clusters.
Pretzels: Feel free to use different types of pretzels in your mix, like pretzel sticks or twists. This Reindeer Chow is a pretzel, candy, chocolate packed treat that we love to make during the holidays too!
Savory Variation: If you prefer a more savory twist, you can sprinkle a touch of sea salt on the mix once your transfer it to the parchment paper to cool.

Storage

Store your homemade caramel Chex mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh. It should last for up to 3-4 weeks at room temperature, but it's so delicious that it often disappears much faster!

FAQs

Why is my caramel chewy?

Some common reasons why this happen are cooking the mixture for too long or at too high a temperature, if the sugar concentration is too high, not enough liquid or if it's added too slowly, inadequate stirring, substituting the corn syrup with another sweetener, cooling it too quickly or cooking at a high humidity.

Can you substitute the corn syrup in the caramel?

Yes, corn syrup can be substituted in a caramel Chex mix recipe, although it may affect the flavor and texture of the final product. Corn syrup is often used in caramel because it helps prevent crystallization and contributes to a smoother texture. When substituting corn syrup, you can consider using golden syrup, honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.

Why do you add baking soda to the caramel?

Baking soda is an alkaline substance that reacts with the caramelized sugar in the presence of heat. This reaction causes the caramel to expand and become aerated, resulting in a lighter and softer texture. It transforms the caramel from a dense, chewy texture to a smoother, more delicate consistency. It also helps prevent sugar crystals from forming in the caramel.

How long should I let the Chex Mix cool before breaking?

Allow the mix to cool on the parchment paper for about 20-30 minutes. During this time, it will begin to firm up as it cools.

How can I make Caramel Chex Mix gluten-free?

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Chex cereal, pretzels, and ensure that all brands of ingredients for your add-in options are gluten-free.

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4.76 from 37 votes

Caramel Chex Mix

Caramel Chex Mix is the tastiest snack or gift for the holiday season. Cereal and pretzels are coated in caramel for a sweet and salty treat.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, holiday, snack

Servings: servings

Calories: 269kcal

Ingredients

4 cups Bugles
4 cups rice Chex cereal
1 cup tiny pretzel twists
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup salted butter
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375˚F.
In a large roasting pan, combine Bugles, Chex and pretzels.
To a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda.
Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture, and toss until all of the pieces are coated well.
Bake 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. If baking on a sheet pan, check for doneness at 10 as it’s spread thinner and could be done more quickly.
Carefully transfer the hot mix onto parchment paper on a countertop. Once the mix has completely cooled, break into pieces.

Video

Notes

This makes approximately 10 - 1 cup servings.

Tips and Substitutions

- Availability:If you don’t have bugles in you’re area, corn chips can be used instead.
- Even Coating: Ensure that the caramel sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.

- Stirring During Baking: Stir the mix every 5 minutes while it's baking to prevent it from clumping and ensure an even caramel coating.

- Cool Thoroughly: Allow the Caramel Chex Mix to cool completely on the parchment paper. This helps the caramel set and gives you the perfect crunch.

- Cereal: While Chex cereal is my favorite choice for this Christmas Crunch recipe, you can experiment with other cereals like Cheerios or Crispix for different textures and flavors.

- Nuts: An optional add-in, nuts or seeds, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can add fiber, healthy fat, and an added crunch.

- Add-In Options: Feel free to add your favorite seasonal candy or baking chips to the mix once it's cooled and been broken into clusters.

- Pretzels: Feel free to use different types of pretzels in your mix, like pretzel sticks or twists.

- Savory Variation: If you prefer a savory twist, you can sprinkle a touch of sea salt on the mix once your transfer it to the parchment paper to cool.

Nutrition

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Comments

4.76 from 37 votes (24 ratings without comment)

Caramel Chex Mix

Save The Recipe!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Ingredients in Caramel Chex Mix

Tools You'll Need

How to make Caramel Christmas Crunch

Tips and Substitutions

Storage

FAQs

More Sweet Recipes