Caramel Chex Mix

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This chewy, crunchy Caramel Chex Mix is coated in a gooey caramel sauce and salted peanuts, making it salty, sweet, and very addictive!

Once you make this mix and fall in love with it, you’ll also want to check out my S’mores Puppy Chow, Gooey Coconut Almond Chex Mix, Lucky Charms Snack Mix, and Funfetti Puppy Chow!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

A cross between caramel corn and Chex mix, this Caramel Chex Mix is sure to become a new favorite.

Sweet and salty with plenty of crunch, this Caramel Chex Mix is the most munchable, absolutely addicting snack mix you can make! It’s hard to resist grabbing a handful of the caramel covered clusters of cereal and peanuts every time you walk by the kitchen! Perfect for sharing with friends and neighbors too!

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Rice Chex cereal
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Light corn syrup
• Baking soda
• Peanuts

Absolutely delicious, sweet and crunchy Caramel Chex Mix made with an easy recipe using only 6 ingredients! Combine Chex cereal, salty peanuts and a homemade caramel sauce to get a fabulous crispy texture. This recipe is straightforward to get the caramel perfectly chewy using just the stovetop. No candy thermometer or oven needed!

If you’re hosting a large gathering or just want to make a nice treat to share with friends, look no further! Sweet Caramel Chex Mix is an addictive, buttery snack that will please everyone. It consists of rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious caramel sauce made from butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. It has a chewy yet crisp texture when set. You will find yourself going back for more and more and more! Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require any baking.

How to make the best Caramel Chex Mix:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and pour your Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. Set aside for later.
• In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup. Stirring continuously, bring the mixture to a boil, then continue to boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the baking soda, then quickly pour the caramel mixture into your bowl of Chex and stir to coat the cereal evenly.
• Add in the peanuts, stir to combine, then transfer the Caramel Chex Mix onto your prepared baking sheet and let it cool completely before storing or enjoying!

If you like Payday candy bars, you’re going to love this Caramel Chex Mix! Something about combining caramel flavors with peanuts recreates the flavor of a Payday candy bar almost perfectly!

The brown sugar caramel coating gives each piece of Chex cereal a delightful crunch and a caramelized sweetness that’s hard to resist. This caramel snack mix is that perfect combo of crispy and chewy that keeps you coming back for more.

And the touch of saltiness? It’s like the sidekick that brings out the best in the sweetness. It keeps things balanced, letting all the yummy flavors shine!

My top tips:

• PREP YOUR PAN: Make sure to line your sheet pan with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat to prevent any sticking!
• BOWL SIZE: It’s important to use a large bowl when making this recipe because it makes a ton, and it is also difficult to stir, so it can get a little messy. The bigger the bowl, the easier this is to mix!
• CEREAL: Caramel Chex Mix can be made with a variety of Chex cereals. Corn Chex or even wheat Chex can work, but rice Chex is popular for a lighter, crisp texture. I suggest using Rice Chex.
• BOILING: Avoid cooking the butter and sugar mixture for too long. Boiling it for exactly 1 minute is what gives this mix a perfectly chewy exterior. It’s also important to stir this mixture continuously to prevent any burning.
• WORKING QUICKLY: Once you the caramel sauce is done boiling, you’ll need to move quickly to coat the cereal mixture before it begins to cool and set up. I like using a rubber spatula to mix, as this avoids crushing the cereal too much.
• PEANUTS: I like using salted peanuts to offset the sweetness of this otherwise sweet snack mix, but you can use whatever kind of peanuts you like! It’s just important to add them before the snack mix has set.
• COOLING: I recommend transferring this snack mix onto a lined baking sheet to finish cooling. This prevents the cereal from clumping together into one hard ball and ensures all the coating has set before storing or enjoying.
• STORING: Payday inspired chex mix is best enjoyed within 2-3 days, but you can transfer any leftovers into an airtight container or Ziploc bag and store at room temperature for up to 1 week. I do not recommend storing in the fridge as this may alter the chewy texture.

Looking for more sweet and salty recipes? Check these out!

• Peanut Butter Frito Cookies
• Cookie Dough Ritz Crackers
• Cinnamon Roll Popcorn
• Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels
• Chex Scotcheroos
• Samoa Pretzel Bites
• Butter Toffee Pretzels
• Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark
• Churro Bugles
• Peanut Butter Popcorn
• Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites

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