Ready to fall in love with your new go-to party snack? This Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe delivers ultimate crunch, buttery toffee goodness, and a playful swirl of salty and sweet in every single handful. It’s a treat you can throw together in under an hour, and it’s downright irresistible for snacking, gifting, or casually sneaking by the handful straight from the container.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe starts with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, but don’t be fooled—they each bring something special, whether it’s the classic crunch, a rich nutty flavor, or that toffee sweetness that makes the mix impossible to resist.
- Rice Chex cereal (6 cups): The foundation of our mix, providing crisp texture and plenty of nooks to catch every bit of toffee coating.
- Mini pretzels (2 cups): Essential for adding that crave-worthy salty crunch and a playful shape in each bite.
- Pecan halves (1 cup): The rich, nutty element that adds both depth and a buttery texture—a true game changer.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup): Sweetness with a hint of molasses works wonders in the toffee sauce.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Melts into the sugar for a rich, golden toffee, letting you control the saltiness in the recipe.
- Light corn syrup (1/4 cup): Keeps the toffee sauce glossy and prevents crystallization, so every bite is smooth and snappy.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): The secret to creating that light, snappy texture in the toffee coating.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a burst of warmth and rounds out the sweet flavor profile.
- Sea salt (1/2 teaspoon, plus more for topping): Sprinkled inside and on top for that essential salty bite that pairs so perfectly with toffee.
- Mini chocolate chips (1/2 cup, optional): For a little melt-in-your-mouth surprise if you want to add some extra chocolatey flair.
How to Make Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Mix the Base
Start by cranking your oven to 250°F (120°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze. In a big mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, mini pretzels, and pecan halves. Toss everything together, imagining how delightfully snappy and nutty every bite is going to be!
Step 2: Make the Buttery Toffee Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Keep stirring until the mix starts to bubble and develop a rich, butterscotch aroma. Let it boil gently for 2–3 minutes without stirring (this helps set all that toffee magic in motion), then pull it off the heat.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda, Vanilla, and Sea Salt
Immediately whisk in the baking soda, vanilla, and sea salt while the toffee sauce is hot—the mixture will bubble up and turn creamy and light. This little science fair moment gives our toffee an even coating and that signature airy crispness.
Step 4: Toss and Coat the Chex Mix
Pour the bubbling toffee over your Chex mixture right away, and gently fold with a spatula until every piece is glistening and covered. Work quickly so the sauce doesn’t harden before each bite gets its fair share of toffee.
Step 5: Bake, Stir, and Cool
Spread the coated mix onto your prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Pop it in the oven for 45 minutes, giving it a gentle stir every 15 minutes so the toffee gets crunchy and perfectly even. When it’s finished, let it cool completely—you’ll know it’s ready when those clusters break apart with a satisfying snap.
Step 6: Finish with Chocolate Chips (Optional)
If you’re feeling extra, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the still-warm (not hot) mix. They’ll melt ever-so-slightly, creating pockets of chocolate within the toffee clusters. Once totally cool, break into chunks and you’re ready to serve or store!
How to Serve Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe
Garnishes
To finish your Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe with flair, sprinkle a little extra flaky sea salt or even a dusting of festive sprinkles on top while the mix is still warm. This not only heightens the sweet-and-salty magic but also adds a gorgeous, eye-catching touch that makes your mix party-ready in seconds.
Side Dishes
Pair this addictive snack mix with a tangy fruit salad, a cheese platter, or fresh veggie sticks. It’s a balance game that works like a charm—fresh, creamy, or tangy sides ensure your Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe always stands out without being overwhelming.
Creative Ways to Present
This mix practically begs to be gifted or shared, so why not scoop it into mason jars, cellophane bags, or festive bowls for parties? You can even layer it with colorful candies or popcorn for a playful snack mix bar that lets everyone build their own treat. The options for showcasing your Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe are as endless as your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, stash any extras in an airtight container at room temperature. Your Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe should stay perfectly crisp and flavorful for up to a week—plenty of time to keep those snack cravings satisfied.
Freezing
Surprise! This mix freezes beautifully. Just transfer it to a heavy-duty, resealable freezer bag (press out as much air as possible), and freeze for up to two months. For best texture, let it come to room temperature before diving in so the clusters keep their crunch.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this mix to enjoy it, but if it ever gets a bit soft from humidity, simply spread it on a baking sheet and warm it in a 250°F oven for a few minutes. Let it cool and it’ll crisp right back up—almost like it’s been freshly made!
FAQs
Can I use different types of Chex cereal?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex keeps things classic and light, you can switch in Corn or Wheat Chex, or even mix them for extra dimension and a heartier crunch in your Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe.
How do I keep the mix from sticking together in large clumps?
Make sure to stir the mix every 15 minutes while baking, and break apart any clusters while it’s still cooling. Lining your pan with parchment paper helps a ton and keeps cleanup simple, too!
Can I make this Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just be sure to use gluten-free pretzels and double-check that your Rice Chex and any add-ins are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally safe, so everyone can enjoy!
What add-ins go well with this mix?
Feel free to fold in candy-coated chocolates, roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, or even coconut chips after baking and cooling. This Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe is wonderfully versatile for customizing to your favorite snacking flavors.
How should I package this for gifts or parties?
Portion the fully cooled mix into cellophane bags, mason jars, or decorative tins. Tie with a colorful ribbon and pop on a cute label for a festive, homemade gift that earns rave reviews every single time!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing snack with maximum flavor and crunch, you simply have to try this Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe. It’s just the thing for sharing, snacking, or gifting—so gather your ingredients and dive in, because this is one treat you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect combination of sweet and salty with this addictive Sweet & Salty Toffee Chex Mix recipe. Crunchy Chex cereal, salty pretzels, and buttery pecans are coated in a rich toffee mixture, then baked to golden perfection. Optional chocolate chips add a melty, decadent touch to this irresistible snack.
Ingredients
Chex Mix:
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup pecan halves
Toffee Mixture:
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for topping)
Optional:
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Chex Mix: In a large bowl, mix Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and pecans.
- Make Toffee Mixture: In a saucepan, cook brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup until boiling. Add baking soda, vanilla, and sea salt. Pour over Chex mix.
- Bake: Spread the mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Add Chocolate (Optional): Sprinkle chocolate chips over the warm mix and let them melt.
- Cool and Serve: Let the mix cool, break into chunks, and enjoy!
Notes
- Add M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates for a colorful twist.
- This mix makes a great holiday gift or party snack and stays fresh for up to a week in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
