Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Fall Chex Mix is everything you love about fall—sweet, crunchy, and full of warm, comforting pumpkin spice flavors. The combination of Chex cereal, pretzels, nuts, and seeds gives it the perfect balance of textures, while the spiced maple syrup coating makes each bite irresistible. Whether you’re snacking on it during a cozy movie night, bringing it to a fall gathering, or gifting it in a festive jar, this mix will quickly become your go-to autumn treat. It’s simple to make, customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 cups (90g) Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups (90g) Corn Chex cereal
- 2 cups (50g) mini pretzels
- 1 cup (120g) pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup (50g) roasted pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup (80g) dried cranberries or raisins
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, mini pretzels, pecans or walnuts, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Set aside.
- Make the spiced syrup: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Heat the mixture until it is smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
- Coat the mix: Pour the warm syrup over the cereal mixture. Gently stir to ensure everything is evenly coated with the spiced syrup.
- Bake the Chex mix: Spread the coated mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the Chex mix from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Stir in dried cranberries or raisins if desired. Store in an airtight container.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings (as a snack)
Variations
- Vegan Version: Substitute the unsalted butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- Extra Crunch: Add a variety of nuts such as almonds, cashews, or peanuts for additional crunch and flavor.
- Chocolaty Twist: For a sweeter version, add a handful of chocolate chips after the mix has cooled.
- Dried Fruit: Add dried apples, raisins, or apricots for a fruity, fall-inspired flavor.
- More Spice: If you love extra spice, increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice or add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger.
Storage
- Storage: Store the Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you want to keep it fresh longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: This snack is best enjoyed cold and crunchy, but you can reheat it in the oven at 250°F for about 10 minutes if it loses its crispiness.
Helpful Tips
- For Even Coating: Stir the mixture gently after every 15 minutes of baking to ensure even coating and crispiness throughout.
- Customize with Your Favorites: Feel free to swap out nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to suit your personal preferences or what you have on hand.
- Gifting Idea: This Chex mix makes a great homemade gift. Package it in jars or cute bags tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful fall gift.
FAQs
1. Can I use different cereals for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute other cereals like Cheerios or Rice Krispies, but the texture may vary slightly. Chex cereal gives it the perfect crunch.
2. Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
You can substitute the maple syrup with honey or agave syrup for a slightly different sweetness, though the flavor will change.
3. Can I make this Chex mix in advance?
Yes! This snack keeps well for up to a week when stored in an airtight container, making it perfect for prepping ahead of time.
4. Can I add more spice to the mix?
Yes, feel free to adjust the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon to your preference. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little extra heat.
5. Can I use salted pretzels?
Yes, salted pretzels will work well and add a nice balance to the sweetness of the mix. Just be mindful of the salt content when adding extra seasoning.
6. Can I freeze this Chex mix?
Yes, you can freeze the Chex mix for up to 2 months. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
7. Can I make this Chex mix without nuts?
Yes, you can leave out the nuts if you prefer a nut-free version, or substitute them with more seeds or dried fruit.
8. Can I make this without the maple syrup?
While maple syrup adds a rich flavor, you can substitute it with more brown sugar or honey. The result will be slightly different but still delicious.
9. How do I know when the Chex mix is done baking?
The Chex mix is done when the coating is golden and crispy. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes to prevent burning and ensure an even bake.
10. Can I add chocolate chips to the mix?
Yes! Add chocolate chips after the Chex mix has cooled for a sweet addition that pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin spice.
Conclusion
This Irresistible Fall Chex Mix with Pumpkin Spice is the ultimate autumn snack! Full of crunchy cereals, spiced sweetness, and warm flavors, it’s perfect for fall gatherings, snacking, or gifting. The best part? It’s easy to make and highly customizable to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re serving it at a party or enjoying it on a cozy afternoon, this pumpkin spice Chex mix will be a hit with everyone!
Irresistible Fall Chex Mix Recipe – Pumpkin Spice to Celebrate the Season
This Fall Chex Mix is a sweet and crunchy snack packed with pumpkin spice flavors. Made with Chex cereals, pretzels, nuts, and roasted pumpkin seeds, all coated in a spiced syrup, this baked treat is perfect for autumn gatherings or as a cozy, seasonal indulgence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
3 cups (90g) Rice Chex cereal
3 cups (90g) Corn Chex cereal
2 cups (50g) mini pretzels
1 cup (120g) pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup (50g) roasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
1/4 cup (60ml) maple syrup
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: 1/2 cup (80g) dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, mini pretzels, pecans or walnuts, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2–3 minutes.
- Pour the syrup over the cereal mixture and stir gently to coat evenly.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. If desired, stir in dried cranberries or raisins. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
For extra crunch, add a variety of nuts such as almonds, cashews, or peanuts.
For a sweeter twist, add chocolate chips after the mix has cooled.
For a tropical flavor, add dried pineapple or coconut flakes.
Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg