Holiday Chex Mix Recipe – Sweet, Salty & Addictively Crunchy for Christmas Snacking

🎉 Introduction

This Holiday Chex Mix is the perfect sweet–salty snack for the Christmas season — crunchy cereal, pretzels, and nuts coated in a buttery vanilla glaze, then baked until perfectly crisp and festive. It’s incredibly addictive, easy to make in big batches, and ideal for gifting, parties, movie nights, and holiday snack boards.

Every bite has that irresistible mix of textures: light, crunchy Chex cereal, salty pretzels, crisp nuts, and a sugary coating that transforms the whole mix into a magical Christmas treat. It stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spatula or wooden spoon

🛒 Ingredients

Chex Mix Base

• 3 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Corn Chex
• 2 cups pretzels (mini twists or sticks)
• 1 cup Cheerios or similar cereal
• 1 cup roasted nuts (almonds, pecans, or cashews)

Sweet Holiday Coating

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Festive Add-Ins (Optional but Recommended!)

• 1 cup holiday chocolate candies (red & green)
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Christmas sprinkles

(No pork, no alcohol — fully compliant.)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Base

In a large bowl, combine:

• Rice Chex
• Corn Chex
• Pretzels
• Cheerios
• Nuts

Stir gently to mix well.

Step 2: Make the Sweet Coating

In a saucepan melt:

• butter

Whisk in:

• brown sugar
• maple syrup (or honey)
• cinnamon
• salt

Bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often.

Remove from heat and add:

• vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth.

Step 3: Coat the Mix

Pour the warm syrup mixture over the cereal mixture.

Stir gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).

Spread the coated mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake 45–55 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until:

• dry
• crisp
• lightly toasted

Let cool completely.

Step 5: Add Festive Mix-Ins

Once cooled, stir in:

• holiday M&Ms
• white chocolate chips
• cranberries
• Christmas sprinkles

Store in an airtight container.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Makes: ~10 cups
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
• Cool Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

🧊 Storage & Gifting Tips

Room Temperature: 2–3 weeks in an airtight container
Freezer: not recommended (cereal softens)

Perfect for Gifting:

• Pack in treat bags
• Fill mason jars
• Add ribbon + holiday tags
• Great for cookie boxes and snack tins

🥄 Variations

1. White Chocolate Drizzle Mix
   Drizzle melted white chocolate before cooling.
2. Gingerbread Chex Mix
   Add 1 tsp ginger + ½ tsp nutmeg to the coating.
3. Cranberry Orange Mix
   Add orange zest + cranberries.
4. Peppermint Holiday Mix
   Add crushed candy canes.
5. Chocolate Lover’s Mix
   Add cocoa Chex + more chocolate chips.
6. Nut-Free Holiday Mix
   Replace nuts with extra pretzels.
7. Cinnamon Roll Mix
   Add more cinnamon + a powdered sugar glaze.
8. Maple Pecan Mix
   Add extra pecans + more maple.
9. S’mores Holiday Mix
   Add mini marshmallows + chocolate chunks.
10. Healthy(ish) Mix
    Use honey + dried fruit + whole-grain cereal.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I skip the baking step?
   Baking makes it crisp — highly recommended.
2. Can I use only one type of Chex?
   Yes — any combo works.
3. Can I double the recipe?
   Absolutely — use 2 baking sheets.
4. My mix seems sticky — is that normal?
   Yes, until it cools fully.
5. Can kids help?
   Yes — great for family cooking.
6. Can I make this without nuts?
   Yes — replace with pretzels or extra cereal.
7. Can I use different cereals?
   Yes — Crispix, Life, or Shreddies work.
8. How do I keep it crunchy?
   Store in airtight containers only.
9. Can I add marshmallows?
   Yes — add after baking.
10. Can I use vegan butter?
    Yes — works perfectly.

🏁 Conclusion

This Holiday Chex Mix is the ultimate festive snack — crunchy, sweet, salty, colorful, and unbelievably addictive. From cozy movie nights to Christmas parties and gift boxes, this mix brings joy to every occasion. It’s simple, customizable, and guaranteed to disappear fast!

Holiday Chex Mix Recipe – Sweet, Salty & Addictively Crunchy for Christmas Snacking

This Holiday Chex Mix is the perfect sweet–salty snack for the Christmas season — crunchy cereal, pretzels, and nuts coated in a buttery vanilla glaze, then baked until perfectly crisp and festive. It’s incredibly addictive, easy to make in big batches, and ideal for gifting, parties, movie nights, and holiday snack boards. Every bite has that irresistible mix of textures: light, crunchy Chex cereal, salty pretzels, crisp nuts, and a sugary coating that transforms the whole mix into a magical Christmas treat. It stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

Chex Mix Base

• 3 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Corn Chex
• 2 cups pretzels mini twists or sticks
• 1 cup Cheerios or similar cereal
• 1 cup roasted nuts almonds, pecans, or cashews

Sweet Holiday Coating

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Festive Add-Ins (Optional but Recommended!)

• 1 cup holiday chocolate candies red & green
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• Christmas sprinkles
• No pork, no alcohol — fully compliant.

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Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Base

1. In a large bowl, combine:
2. Rice Chex
3. Corn Chex
4. Pretzels
5. Cheerios
6. Nuts
7. Stir gently to mix well.

Step 2: Make the Sweet Coating

1. In a saucepan melt:
2. butter

Whisk in:

1. brown sugar
2. maple syrup (or honey)
3. cinnamon
4. salt
5. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often.
6. Remove from heat and add:
7. vanilla extract
8. Whisk until smooth.

Step 3: Coat the Mix

1. Pour the warm syrup mixture over the cereal mixture.
2. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.

Step 4: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Spread the coated mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake 45–55 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until:
4. dry
5. crisp
6. lightly toasted
7. Let cool completely.

Step 5: Add Festive Mix-Ins

Once cooled, stir in:

1. holiday M&Ms
2. white chocolate chips
3. cranberries
4. Christmas sprinkles
5. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Gifting Tips

Room Temperature: 2–3 weeks in an airtight container
Freezer: not recommended (cereal softens)

Perfect for Gifting:

Pack in treat bags

Fill mason jars

Add ribbon + holiday tags

Great for cookie boxes and snack tins

🥄 Variations

White Chocolate Drizzle Mix
Drizzle melted white chocolate before cooling.

Gingerbread Chex Mix
Add 1 tsp ginger + ½ tsp nutmeg to the coating.

Cranberry Orange Mix
Add orange zest + cranberries.

Peppermint Holiday Mix
Add crushed candy canes.

Chocolate Lover’s Mix
Add cocoa Chex + more chocolate chips.

Nut-Free Holiday Mix
Replace nuts with extra pretzels.

Cinnamon Roll Mix
Add more cinnamon + a powdered sugar glaze.

Maple Pecan Mix
Add extra pecans + more maple.

S’mores Holiday Mix
Add mini marshmallows + chocolate chunks.

Healthy(ish) Mix
Use honey + dried fruit + whole-grain cereal.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I skip the baking step?
Baking makes it crisp — highly recommended.

Can I use only one type of Chex?
Yes — any combo works.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — use 2 baking sheets.

My mix seems sticky — is that normal?
Yes, until it cools fully.

Can kids help?
Yes — great for family cooking.

Can I make this without nuts?
Yes — replace with pretzels or extra cereal.

Can I use different cereals?
Yes — Crispix, Life, or Shreddies work.

How do I keep it crunchy?
Store in airtight containers only.

Can I add marshmallows?
Yes — add after baking.

Can I use vegan butter?
Yes — works perfectly.

🏁 Conclusion

This Holiday Chex Mix is the ultimate festive snack — crunchy, sweet, salty, colorful, and unbelievably addictive. From cozy movie nights to Christmas parties and gift boxes, this mix brings joy to every occasion. It’s simple, customizable, and guaranteed to disappear fast!