If you ever walked into my kitchen on a breezy October afternoon, there's honestly a 70 percent chance (I'm just guessing, I don't track this sort of thing!) that you'd find me tossing a big ol' batch of Fall Snack Mix together. My kids claim I make it just so I can have an excuse to sneak the candy corn, but really—the whole thing started because I kept burning fancy nut mixes. It’s become our family antidote to gloomy weather, or, more accurately, my solution to "I just want to eat snacks and not cook dinner yet." Sometimes I even argue that this snack counts as dinner, though nobody really buys it. Oh, and before I move on, does anyone else accidentally start humming Halloween songs while making this? Just me?
Why You'll Want to Make This at Least Once (Or Fifty Times)
I make this Fall Snack Mix when I need something that everyone—from my youngest (who’d eat nothing but cereal if he could) to my brother-in-law (who, let's just say, is "snack selective")—will actually eat. My family goes absolutely bonkers for it because it hits all the salty-sweet-crunchy notes. Even my dog circles the counter during this recipe (though, for the love of Pete, don’t drop any raisins). I used to think making a snack mix was "too basic," but actually: a few tweaks and it tastes kind of gourmet. Some days I even dump all the leftovers into a big jar and call it trail mix for hiking. (Except we don't hike much. But it's the thought that counts, right?)
Here’s What You’ll Need (And Probably Already Have!)
- 2 cups mini pretzels (I've used the twisty ones and the stick ones—honestly, I can't taste the difference)
- 1 cup roasted nuts (almonds or pecans—I swap them for peanuts if that’s what’s left from lunchboxes, or sometimes I use mixed nuts when the cupboard’s looking bare)
- 1 cup candy corn (I know this is divisive, but to me, it's what makes it 'fall'—but you can absolutely ditch it if you're in the anti-candy-corn camp, which, by the way, my sister runs for her entire neighborhood)
- 1 cup chocolate candies like M&M’s (I’ve tried Reese’s Pieces, too—good, but a little messier)
- 2 cups cereal squares (Chex is the classic, but my grandmother, may she rest, would only ever use Cheerios—to each their own!)
- 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (I prefer cranberries—they just make it look a bit fancier, but raisins work in a pinch, though don't blame me if someone complains)
- Optional: A handful of popcorn, a drizzle of white chocolate, or pumpkin seeds if you want to get fancy
How to Make It (With a Few Side Notes from My Kitchen)
- Grab the biggest bowl you own. (That stainless steel salad bowl from Ikea? Perfect. Or in a pinch, I've upended a pasta pot as a bowl—no judgment.)
- Toss in your pretzels, nuts, cereal, and dried fruit. Mix it around with your (clean!) hands. Because sometimes, the best kitchen tool is attached to your wrist.
- Add in those candies and, if you’re going there, the candy corn. Try to fight the urge to "sample" at this point, but honestly, who’s watching?
- This bit is optional, but sometimes I microwave a handful of white chocolate chips (just until melty—don’t overdo it like I did, or you’ll get clumps instead of drizzles), then zigzag it over the top. Let it set for ten minutes. Or don't—my household usually starts picking before it’s even cooled.
- Give everything a gentle toss and taste. If it feels a touch bland, a pinch more salt here saves the day. If it’s too sweet, a few more pretzels usually balance it out nicely.
Notes (aka, What I Wish I Had Known the First Time)
- Candy corn can sometimes get sticky if you store the mix in a warm house (ask me how I learned that one).
- Don’t mix warm popcorn with the rest—it makes the candies go weirdly melty and nobody wants that.
- Actually, I find it works better if you wait until everything has cooled right down, no matter how hungry you are.
Mixing It Up—Stuff I’ve Tried (Mostly Good, Some Not So Much)
- Maple pecans: Tasty, but the sticky fingers were a pain.
- Pumpkin-spice Cheerios: Good in theory, but honestly, we just nibbled out the candy bits and left those sad little O’s behind. Never again.
- Dried apple rings: Actually, pretty decent! Cut them up small first.
- Mini marshmallows: Kids loved it, but it got a bit chewy after a night in the tin.
About Equipment—Don’t Stress If You Don’t Have It
A giant mixing bowl is ideal, but if you don’t have one, I’ve mixed snack mix in a soup pot, a salad spinner (don’t spin it), or, confession: straight on a rimmed baking sheet and just used my hands. No fancy tools needed.
How to Store (Though, Honestly, It Disappears Fast)
Technically, you can keep it in an airtight tin or big zip-top bag for five days. But in my house? If the mix survives to day two, it’s a miracle. Sometimes I catch my family just standing by the jar, munching absentmindedly while the dog's hoping for crumbs.
How We Serve It—Or, Why It’s Great for Lazy Gatherings
I love piling this high into a big glass jar with a scoop and paper cups—feels kind of festive and means zero cleanup. My partner claims it tastes best poured right into a bowl while we’re playing board games. (He’s got a point.) Also, honestly, it perks up any cheese board if you tuck a little pile to the side. Here’s a link to some other great fall snack board ideas if you want to dress things up even more.
If You Only Remember One Thing… (Pro Tips from My Prior Goofs)
I once tried saving time by dumping in still-warm popcorn, thinking it’d cool off in the bowl. It doesn’t. You end up with sad, soggy chocolate candies. So: patience is a virtue (well, sometimes).
FAQ—Stuff Folks Have Actually Asked Me
"Can I leave out the nuts?"
Absolutely! Sometimes I swap them for sunflower seeds or just extra pretzels when cooking for friends with nut allergies. It's pretty forgiving.
"Is there a way to make this gluten-free?"
For sure. Use gluten-free pretzels and cereal—the rest is already good to go. Check this gluten-free snack list if you need extra reassurance.
"Can I use white chocolate chips instead of regular?"
Oh, absolutely. The white chocolate drizzle is peak cozy. Just don’t over-microwave them (takes about 20 seconds, trust me, I’ve scorched more than one batch).
"What if I don’t have candy corn?"
Not an issue; sometimes I skip it myself (mostly when the store is out). Try butterscotch chips or more dried fruit. Or, I mean, just skip it—the mix is still snackable as heck.
"Can I double this?"
You can; just be sure your bowl—or whatever you’re using—fits the batch! Running out of space and chasing flying cereal across the counter is a rite of passage, I think.
One final stray thought (okay, I know this isn’t about snack mix exactly): has anybody else tried adding those cinnamon sugar pita chips? It went over like a lead balloon in my house, but, hey, maybe your crowd will love 'em. Anyway, happy fall and happy munching!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts
- ¾ cup candy corn
- ¾ cup chocolate candies (such as M&Ms)
- 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
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1In a large mixing bowl, combine Chex cereal, mini pretzels, roasted salted peanuts, and honey-roasted peanuts.
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2Add in candy corn, chocolate candies, mini chocolate chips, and dried cranberries.
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3Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly mixed.
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4Transfer the snack mix into a large serving bowl or portion into small snack bags.
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5Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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