YOU GUYS. This Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix is amazing. I know you are thinking, you always say that. And it’s true, I do…because it is always good. But I seriously could not keep myself out of this chex mix. It’s so easy to make, I even made y’all a quick video. You can make it in the oven (and your house will smell better than any candle could make it smell) or in the microwave!
After the first bite, I proceeded to eat a whole cookie sheet worth — literally shoveling it into my face. And then after we had embarrassingly eaten it all, I made it again. Jorge kept taking giant handfuls with him up to his office to work and eventually he took a container upstairs and claimed it as his.
I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like it at first. I love pumpkin spice flavored things and I love chex mix — but I am usually not a huge fan of of the candy corn. I like candy corn ok, but it is not my absolute favorite candy. However, once I had a bite with all the components in one, I was sold. Total perfection.
I ended up making this Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix because I had a severe overstock of cereal in my pantry. I somehow managed to buy five boxes in cereal in one week. Each time I would come home and remember that I had already bought cereal that week. Before kids I wouldn’t understand how someone did that. These days, I’m proud to say it has only happened once.
When you make it, because you totally have to make it, you have to make sure and try it all in one big bite. My neighbor Kerri doesn’t like candy corn at all, but I forced her to try it all at once and she agreed the combo is perfect. This is absolutely my new favorite sweet chex mix — you must make it now. Right now.
The first time I made this, I made it in the oven and the next time I made a batch in the microwave. The oven makes your house smell absolutely amazing — better than any candle! And the microwave only takes minutes to make. Both work perfectly, it’s up to you!
Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin spice
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 12 oz box cinnamon chex cereal
- 1 12 oz box honey nut chex cereal
- 4 cups pretzels
- 1 21 oz bag autumn/harvest candy mix (or plain candy corn)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract.
- In an extra large bowl, toss together both chex cereal flavors and pretzels. Pour butter mixture over the cereal mixture and toss to distribute.
- Microwave: Microwave uncovered for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on wax paper to cool. Add harvest candy mix and toss to combine. Store in airtight container.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 275°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide mixture on the two baking sheets and spread in even layers. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on wax paper to cool. Add harvest candy mix and toss to combine. Store in airtight container.
Nutrition
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I have made this every fall for my fall road trip for the last 5 years and thought I should probably leave a review on how amazing it is! There will be no road trip this year but I couldn’t pass up making this. Every time I make it I get requests for the recipe. Thanks for a favorite!
Because of the butter, do I need to refrigerate this
Nope! It’s fine at room temp in an airtight container!
[…] pumpkin spice snack mix […]
How long will this keep fresh in an air tight container? Thanks
About a week! Maybe a little longer, but I can’t guarantee it!
I’ve kept it for up to 3 weeks with good results.
Not crazy about the pumpkin spice. Can I leave it out?
This is SO GOOD! Thank you for the recipe.
I don’t know what happened but I tried the microwave version first and it started to burn. Then I tried it in the oven, and that also burned! I don’t know if it was the pan I was using, but it did not work out for me! My house smells like burned popcorn now!
Are you adding the liquid mixture into the cereal when it is still hot or cooled?
You add it while still hot! No need to let it cool.
Really yummy — I sent batches to my far-away kids. Due to gluten issues, I used dry roasted peanuts instead of pretzels and I just don’t like candy corn so added fall colored M&Ms instead. :)
This did not turn out great for me. With all the great reviews, I was really disappointed with the results . I did the microwave version and followed the recipe instructions exactly. Part of it burned and the final results lacked a lot of flavor. I am still bringing it to a party today as I don’t want to waste all those ingredients, but I won’t be making this again. I wonder what went wrong….
Why mine burnt
For anyone wondering about a lower-fat version (I know an oxymoron, when it comes to baking), I used 1 stick of butter instead of two and it turned out really tasty! I will be making this in double batches after this, so I have some for sharing! Thanks for the recipe.
I don’t know what I did wrong! It burned on me in the oven. So made a separate batch and made it in the microwave and it also burned! I noticed that it was the sugar that was burning when I dumped sugar on the mixture it made big clumps and those clumps burned. What could I do differently?
How much does 1 batch make?? Thanks! Excited to make this for my volunteers!
I’m going to make this for my college daughter — but I *am* going to change out the candy corn for autumn colored M&Ms. Looks easy and good!
How many gallons does one recipe make?
I have a severe nut allergy? Which Chex cereal do you suggest substituting for the honey nut Chex cereal? Corn, wheat, rice???? Really sounds and looks great!
I used the chex cereal I had on hand (rice, corn and wheat) and it turned out great!
Is pumpkin spice the same as pumpkin pie spice?
Yes!
Shut up! This is beyond delicious. I dont like candy corn at all. But this recipe is beyond words! My house smells great, and both my toddler twins LOVED it. I cannot stop eating it.
Yahoo! So glad you all loved it as much as we do — even non candy corn lovers! ha!
Have it baking right now!! Smells wonderful!! Instead of candy corn I am adding fall colored sixlets and m & m’s. However I will make it with candy corn for Halloween. Have a bake sale coming up for church. Think this will be a great addition to all the baked goods.
YUM! I hope you and everyone at the bake sale enjoyed it!
My daughter loves it! Me and my wife see hapiness on her when she eats :)
We always have to buy some!
I made 6 gallons of this for my wedding this past weekend. Everyone LOVED it!!
6 gallons??! Your house must have smelled amazing! Congrats on getting married!!
4 how many batches was that? We are looking at making 7 gallons to distribute to teachers as a gift
One recipe is almost a gallon.
I made this for our volunteer fire department’s bake sale in early October put in small individual clear bags. Saved some for my daughter and husband (who don’t eat many sweets). They requested that I make it again. Great recipe.
That’s wonderful! So glad they enjoyed it, hope it sold well at the bake sale! :-)
This is so good. My friend renamed it ‘magical unicorn mix’ because it’s almost too good to be true!! Thanks for the recipe
In the oven now, smells awesome tasted one bite before it’s baked and wow! Taking to a party Friday night!
I am making for Halloween. Which way is best? Oven or microwave? Looks so good!
I vote oven because it’s like a giant candle for your house. ;-)
I want to make this for my daughters gymnastics party this coming friday. How long will this last in snack size ziplocks?
It should still be fresh in 3 days as long as it’s packed up in airtight containers right away! :-)
Just finished making this. Awesome! I added a few pecans to a small batch. Great addition!!
Love the addition of pecans Sarah!
HI,
I made this yesterday for our Church coffee hour. I did the oven version and your right, my house smelled amazing!!! I too am not a candy corn lover, but with the chex and pretzel it is the perfect bite!!! Delicious and couldn’t have been easier. Thank you!!
So glad you tired it even though you aren’t usually a candy corn lover. It really is the perfect bite one all eaten together! So glad you enjoyed it Katie!
Do you microwave this on the high setting?
Yes, on high!
Willing to try for my Halloween Party, where I serve about 19homemade pizza’s. This will be a nice take home treat.
I made this today and it turned out perfectly! Easy and great.
Yum & with the candy corn flavor M&M’s that just might be the perfect magic touch
It sounds wonderful…and candy corn are one of my weaknesses this time of year! My family is known for hiding and hoarding favorite foods, so your comment about that made me giggle.
Oh, what a great idea for a Chex Mix! :) This is making me excited for fall to arrive!
Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix?! This is possibly the best thing EVER!
I love Chex Mix and never thought about adding pumpkin spice to it… love this!
I can hardly even believe it’s pumpkin season already. This would be great fun to munch on.
Pretty sure I need this in my life!
This looks amazing! I mean really Halloween is just around the corner and this would be great!
Will be making batch #2 this week. Perfect fall treat!
Great for sharing.
I’m with your neighbor on the candy corn thing, but if you twist my arm… This looks like a fun treat to package up & give away, you know, if there’s any left over!
This looks awesome! Our office manager accidentally ordered 11 boxes of cereal (instead of 2…), so I may have to whip some of this up ASAP!
I love how stunning, vibrant and droolicious this pumpkin spice chex mix looks. So flavorful and so yummy!
Hello, can I use a roasting pan with lid?