Description
A crunchy, sweet-and-salty treat perfect for passing around during the holidays, combining salty pretzels, buttery Chex cereal, and festive red and green candies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups Chex cereal mix (rice, corn, or wheat)
- 3 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup red and green holiday M&Ms or chocolate-coated candies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil; spread the Chex cereal mix, pretzel sticks, and salted peanuts evenly across the prepared pan(s).
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter until fully liquid but not browned, then stir in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt, whisking vigorously until uniform; if desired, add the optional red food coloring now and stir until the butter takes on a soft pinkish-red hue.
- Pour the seasoned butter mixture evenly over the dry ingredients on the baking sheet and use a large rubber spatula or clean hands to toss everything together thoroughly until every piece is lightly coated, ensuring the mixture is spread out in a relatively thin layer.
- Place the baking sheet in the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, removing the pan to stir the mix thoroughly every 15 minutes to prevent hot spots, watching closely during the last 10 minutes until the cereal turns light golden brown and the pretzels feel firm.
- Remove the mix from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 to 20 minutes until cool enough to handle but still warm, then transfer it to a large mixing bowl and gently fold in the red and green holiday M&Ms or chocolate-coated candies until distributed evenly.
- Spread the finished mix back onto the baking sheet or a large wire rack to cool completely to room temperature so the butter hardens and locks in the crunch, checking for seasoning balance and adding a very light sprinkle of sea salt if needed before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Store the completely cooled snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks; avoid refrigeration as humidity can make the cereal and pretzels lose their crunch. If the mix becomes slightly soft after storage, revive it by spreading it on a baking sheet and heating it in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes, then letting it cool completely again. For nut-free options, replace salted peanuts with roasted chickpeas or sunflower seeds, and ensure all cereals and pretzels are certified gluten-free if serving guests with celiac disease.