Halloween Snack Mix

This Halloween snack mix puts Chex cereal, popcorn, pretzel sticks, candy corn and M&M’s in one bowl and coats them with melted white chocolate that has pumpkin pie spice and a little salt stirred in. It is sweet and salty, and there is no baking. The batch serves 10.

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Prep takes 15 minutes and the microwave time is 5 minutes. The coated mix then needs about 30 minutes on a baking sheet to cool and harden, which brings the total to 50 minutes. Once it sets, you break it into clusters.

What Goes in the Mix

The full list is in the recipe card at the bottom. Each ingredient has a job.

• Chex cereal (3 cups): the crunchy base. Any variety works, whether rice, corn or chocolate.
• Popcorn (2 cups, popped): light and airy. Plain or lightly salted is best.
• Pretzel sticks (1 cup): the salty bite.
• Candy corn (1 cup): sweetness and color. Sugar-free candy corn is the alternative if you want less sugar.
• Halloween M&M’s (1 cup): use the Halloween-themed ones if you can find them. Dark chocolate chips are a lower-sugar swap.
• Peanuts (1/2 cup, optional): almonds or cashews can take their place.
• White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): melted, they are what holds the mix together. Sugar-free chips are an option.
• Pumpkin pie spice (1/2 teaspoon) and salt (1/4 teaspoon): the spice gives it an autumn flavor, and the salt balances the sweetness.

Mini marshmallows or seasonal chocolate-covered candies can go in too, in place of the M&M’s.

Making the Coating

Put the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring after each one, until smooth. Be patient and stir often so the chocolate does not burn. If you have no microwave-safe bowl, a small saucepan on low heat does the same job. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice and salt once it has melted.

In a large bowl, toss the Chex, popcorn, pretzels, candy corn, M&M’s and peanuts, if you are using them. Drizzle the white chocolate over the top and stir gently until every piece is coated. A large pot can stand in if you do not have a big enough bowl.

Setting and Storing

Spread the mix on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. A silicone baking mat works if you are out of parchment, and any flat, oven-safe dish will do in place of the sheet. Leave it for about 30 minutes to cool and harden. Let it cool completely before you break it into clusters, since this keeps it crunchy and stops it from turning sticky.

Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. A resealable plastic bag works for a short time. You can also serve it in bowls or pack it up as a gift.

Tips for a Good Batch

• Measure everything first. With the cereal, popcorn, pretzels and candy ready in the bowl, the only timed step left is the chocolate.
• Use good ingredients. Better chocolate and fresh nuts make a noticeable difference to the flavor.
• Do not rush the chocolate. Short bursts in the microwave and plenty of stirring keep it smooth.
• Wait for it to set. Breaking the mix up too early leaves it sticky.
• Share the work. Melting the chocolate and stirring everything together is easy to do with kids or friends.

Ways to Change It

• Nuts: almonds, walnuts or pecans in place of or alongside the peanuts.
• Dried fruit: cranberries, raisins or apricots add chew. Mind the sugar.
• Heat: a sprinkle of chili powder or cayenne.
• More chocolate: swap the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate or peanut butter chips.
• More spice: cinnamon, nutmeg or a dash of vanilla extract.
• Gluten-free: use certified gluten-free Chex and pretzels, and check the other ingredients.
• Vegan: dairy-free chocolate chips, and leave out the candy corn. Coconut flakes are an option to add.

What to Serve With It

The mix sits well next to other Halloween snacks and drinks. A punch of lime sherbet and lemon-lime soda with gummy worms is one choice. Deviled eggs topped with olive slices to look like ghosts, a veggie platter with hummus shaped into a monster face, apple slices drizzled with sugar-free caramel sauce, or a cheese board with crackers and small decorations all fit the theme. A blood orange mocktail made with blood orange juice, sparkling water and fresh mint is a lighter drink.

Nutrition per Serving

A serving has approximately 210 calories, 9 grams of fat (3 grams saturated), 27 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein and 150 milligrams of sodium. These are estimates, and they will move if you swap ingredients. This is a candy-and-cereal snack, so it is not low-carb.

FAQ

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes. It can be made a few days in advance and kept in an airtight container.

What replaces candy corn?

Sugar-free candy corn or sugar-free chocolate-covered candies.

How long does it last?

Up to one week at room temperature in an airtight container.

Can I change the ingredients?

Yes. Nuts, dried fruit or a different kind of chocolate all work.

Is it gluten-free?

It can be. Make sure the Chex and pretzels, along with everything else, are certified gluten-free.

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Written and edited by The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team

The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team writes and edits the recipes on Foodie Yummy: classic American potluck salads, holiday sides and easy comfort food, with a few low-carb options. Every recipe lists exact quantities, numbered steps and a printable recipe card, plus notes on swaps, storage and make-ahead timing. Spot a problem with a recipe? Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it. About us