Caramel Chex Mix Recipe (2024)

This Caramel Chex Mix Recipe has been a family favorite for a long time. Imagine a delicious mix of caramel popcorn, Corn Chex, peanuts, and crunchy chow mein noodles, all generously coated in a sweet, sugary caramel sauce. It’s a treat that combines different textures and flavors for a truly irresistible snack.

It’s the best caramel corn popcorn mix ever! You know, when you coat each ingredient in this popcorn snack mix with caramel, every bite becomes an instant favorite. That means nobody’s digging around for just one thing. Plus, the best part is how easy it is to whip up,and the generous quantity it yields, making it perfect for sharing!

THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS CARAMEL CHEX MIX RECIPE

My mom was quite the baker and cook, you know. With four boys, me, and a total of seven in the family, she pretty much had to be. She seemed to always be in the kitchen or tending to the garden. Over time, she passed down her recipes to me, and this one is a real gem.

Every holiday season, she’d pull out her old, but much-loved, aluminum roasting pan to whip up this amazing Chex mix with popcorn. I can still remember waiting eagerly for it to bake, and then diving in for those yummy handfuls. She used to pack some of it in containers to share with friends and neighbors.

So this year, I’m keeping up the tradition and making it for my neighbors. Using her big aluminum pan, I felt like she was right there in the kitchen with me, chatting about the recipe just like old times.

WHAT TO DO WITH A BIG BATCH OF CARAMEL POPCORN

If you find that this popcorn mix recipe yields too much, simply cut it in half.

Otherwise if you’re making a big batch there are a lot of ways to enjoy this mix. Our family doesn’t have any problem devouring this recipe, plus I share it with friends and family.

It’s the ideal present for the holiday season!

• Host a Movie Night: Share this delectable snack with friends during a cozy movie night at home, enhancing the viewing experience.
• Create Gift Jars: Fill up mason jars or decorative containers with the caramel chex popcorn mix to give as personalized and tasty gifts.
• Party Snack Bowl: Serve it in a large bowl at parties or gatherings, where guests can enjoy this sweet and crunchy treat.
• Road Trip Snack: Pack it in ziplock bags or portable containers for a delightful snack during long road trips.
• After-School Surprise: Surprise kids with this tasty mix as a special after-school treat that they can look forward to.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CARAMEL CHEX MIX RECIPE

• Rich Caramel Flavor: The combination of butter, sugar, and vanilla extract creates a luscious caramel coating that’s simply irresistible.
• Perfect Mix of Textures: The blend of popcorn, Corn Chex, and crispy chow mein noodles offers a delightful contrast between crunchy and soft.
• Nutty Delight: Peanuts add a satisfying nutty crunch, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Sweet Surprise: The addition of peanut M&Ms brings a playful burst of chocolate and candy shell, adding a fun twist to each bite.
• Homemade Goodness: This mix, being homemade, offers a comforting, nostalgic taste that store-bought snacks can’t match.
• Versatile Snack: It’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or as a special treat during the holidays.
• Easy to Make: Despite its impressive taste and texture, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it accessible for any home cook.
• Big Batch for Sharing: This recipe yields a generous amount, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or neighbors, making it a great choice for gatherings.

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS CARAMEL POPCORN MIX

• Popcorn: Provides a light, airy base that beautifully absorbs the caramel, adding a classic popcorn treat element to the mix.
• Corn Chex: Offers a crispy, crunchy texture that contrasts well with the softer popcorn, enhancing the overall mouthfeel.
• Cheerios: Add a wholesome, oaty crunch, contributing another layer of texture to the mix.
• Chow Mein Noodles: Bring a unique, savory crunch that pairs surprisingly well with the sweet caramel.
• Peanuts: Contribute a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch, complementing the sweet components.
• Butter (for the sauce): Adds richness and depth to the caramel sauce, creating a creamy, indulgent coating.
• Brown Sugar (for the sauce): Provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the caramel, enriching its flavor profile.
• Corn Syrup (for the sauce): Helps create a smooth, glossy caramel sauce and prevents crystallization for a consistent texture.
• Vanilla Extract (for the sauce): Infuses the caramel with a warm, aromatic flavor, elevating its taste.
• Baking Soda (for the sauce): Reacts to create a lighter, fluffier texture in the caramel, ensuring it coats each ingredient evenly.

HOW TO MAKE THIS CARAMEL SNACK

Step 1 – Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

Step 2 – Make Popcorn

Step 3 – Mix Ingredients

In a large baking pan, mix together popcorn, Corn Chex, Cherrios, Chow Mein noodles, and peanuts.

Step 4 – Make Caramel Sauce

Place butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium-sized pan. Bring to a boil and boil for five minutes at medium heat. Remove from the stove. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda and two teaspoons vanilla extract.

Step 5 – Add Sauce to Popcorn Mixture

Pour caramel sauce over the popcorn mixture and toss. Note that the caramel sauce turns a whiter caramel color once you add the baking soda. It foams up and gets lighter in color and texture.

Step 6 – Bake Popcorn Mixture

Bake in the oven for an hour. Stir about every 20 minutes. Once it is done, it is important to keep stirring until completely cooled so the ingredients don’t stick together.

Step 7 – Add Peanut M&Ms

After the mixture has cooled, I add the peanut M&Ms; otherwise, they will melt and blend their color into the snack.

Place the mixture on parchment-lined baking trays if you like.

OTHER SNACKS

• Easter Chocolate Bark
• Easy Microwave Popcorn Recipe
• Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board

HOW TO STORE YOUR CHEX MIX POPCORN

Keep this caramel popcorn mix fresh by storing it in an airtight container. My go-to are the large round Tupperware containers – I use two of them for keeping this snack mix perfectly crisp.

HOW LONG WILL THIS CHEX SNACK LAST

This caramel popcorn mix, when stored properly in an airtight container, can typically last for about one to two weeks. Keeping it sealed helps maintain its freshness and crunch. However, it’s best enjoyed within the first week for optimal taste and texture.

I really hope you get to try out this caramel Chex mix recipe. Honestly, I adore every single ingredient in it, which makes it super tough to resist just munching on the whole batch!

Thanks a bunch for dropping by, and here’s wishing you a truly wonderful Christmas!

Cheers,

Photo Credits:MyPhotography.com