Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe

Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe is a sweet and salty recipe, which uses candy corn and peanut butter candies. It’s the perfect festive snack for a Halloween party, ready in about 1 hour.

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Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 cups rice Chex cereal
  • 3 cups corn Chex cereal
  • 4 cups mini twist pretzels
  • 2 cups roasted, salted cashews
  • 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 8- to 10-oz. bag peanut butter candies, such as Reese’s pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups candy corn
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

How To Make Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix

  1. Prep the oven and baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Combine the base ingredients: Spread the rice Chex, corn Chex, pretzels, and cashews in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Make the butter glaze: Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high until melted, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup, and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
  4. Coat the mix: Carefully pour the hot butter mixture over the cereal, pretzels, and nuts on the baking sheet. Use a spatula to gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
  5. Bake the Chex mix: Bake for 45 minutes, stirring the mixture halfway through the baking time to ensure it cooks evenly.
  6. Cool the mix: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the mix to cool completely on the tray, stirring it occasionally as it cools to break up any large clumps.
  7. Add the candy: Once the mix is completely cool, add the peanut butter candies, candy corn, and chocolate chips. Toss gently to combine.
  8. Serve or store: Transfer the finished Halloween Chex Mix to a large serving bowl or store it in an airtight container.
Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe
Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • How to prevent the chocolate from melting? It is crucial to let the baked Chex mix cool completely to room temperature before adding the chocolate chips and other candies. If the mix is even slightly warm, the chocolate will melt and create a mess.
  • Can I use different nuts? Absolutely. While cashews are delicious, you could easily substitute them with roasted peanuts, almonds, or pecans for a different flavor and texture.
  • How to ensure the mix is crispy? Spreading the mix in a single layer on the baking sheet is key. This allows the moisture to evaporate during baking, resulting in a crispy, crunchy snack. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
  • What if I don’t have maple syrup? You can substitute the maple syrup with an equal amount of honey or light corn syrup. This will slightly alter the flavor but will still create a delicious glaze.

Variations and Add-ins

This festive snack mix is highly customizable. Feel free to get creative with other Halloween-themed additions:

  • Mini marshmallows or candy eyeballs for a spooky touch.
  • Different shapes of pretzels, like sticks or squares.
  • White chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
  • A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top after baking for an extra salty kick.

How To Store Halloween Chex Mix

Store: Keep the Chex mix in a large airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crispy for up to one week. Do not refrigerate, as this can make the mix less crispy.

Halloween Chex Mix Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: ~350 kcal per serving
  • Protein: 6g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Sugar: 25g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this Halloween Chex Mix ahead of time?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead recipe for parties. You can prepare it up to a week in advance. Just be sure to store it in a well-sealed airtight container to maintain its freshness and crunch.

Why did my Chex mix turn out soggy?

Sogginess is usually caused by not baking the mix long enough or not allowing it to cool completely. The 45-minute bake time at a low temperature is designed to dry out the mix, and cooling fully allows it to crisp up.

Can I make this recipe without nuts?

Of course. If you have a nut allergy or simply don’t care for them, you can omit the cashews entirely. You can replace them with an extra 2 cups of pretzels or another sturdy cereal to maintain the volume.

Try More Recipes:

Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe

Recipe by MarryCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

350

kcal

An addictively sweet and salty snack mix loaded with crispy cereal, pretzels, cashews, candy corn, and chocolate, all coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rice Chex cereal

  • 3 cups corn Chex cereal

  • 4 cups mini twist pretzels

  • 2 cups roasted, salted cashews

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

  • 1 1/2 cups peanut butter candies (e.g., Reese’s Pieces)

  • 1 1/2 cups candy corn

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 275°F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, combine cereals, pretzels, and cashews.
  • Melt butter in the microwave; whisk in brown sugar and maple syrup.
  • Pour butter mixture over the cereal mix and toss to coat evenly.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Cool the mix completely on the baking sheet.
  • Gently stir in peanut butter candies, candy corn, and chocolate chips.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Ensure the baked mix is 100% cool before adding candies to prevent melting.
  • For best results, spread the mix in a single, even layer on the baking sheet to ensure it gets crispy.
  • Feel free to substitute cashews with peanuts or almonds.
  • Store in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain crunchiness.

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