Holiday Mix Snack

Featured in: Garden-Inspired Meals

This holiday snack mix combines Rice, Corn, and Wheat Chex with mini pretzels and roasted peanuts for a balance of crunch and flavor. A rich coating of butter, brown sugar, and spices is baked into the mix for an hour with stirring to ensure even toasting. Once cooled, red and green chocolate candies and white chocolate chips add festive sweetness. Perfect for sharing at seasonal gatherings, this easy-to-make treat delivers both savory and sweet notes in every bite.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:29:00 GMT
Holiday Mix: a close-up photo shows colorful candies mixed into the crunchy snack mix. Pin
Holiday Mix: a close-up photo shows colorful candies mixed into the crunchy snack mix. | toastybasil.com

A crunchy, sweet-and-salty snack mix featuring classic Chex cereals, pretzels, and festive candies—perfect for holiday gatherings and presented in a vibrant red and green bowl cluster.

This mix has become a holiday staple in my family, bringing joy and festive flavors to every gathering.

Ingredients

  • Rice Chex: 3 cups
  • Corn Chex: 3 cups
  • Wheat Chex: 2 cups
  • Mini pretzels: 1 cup
  • Roasted peanuts (optional or substitute with pumpkin seeds for nut-free): 1 cup
  • Red and green chocolate candies (such as M&Ms): 1 cup
  • White chocolate chips: 1 cup
  • Unsalted butter, melted: 6 tbsp
  • Light brown sugar: 2 tbsp
  • Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
  • Garlic powder: 1 tsp
  • Onion powder: 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
  • Kosher salt: 1/2 tsp

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
Combine dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, pretzels, and peanuts.
Mix coating:
In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Coat mix:
Pour the butter mixture over the dry mix, tossing gently to coat evenly.
Spread on baking sheet:
Spread the mixture in an even layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake:
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting.
Cool and add candies:
Let cool completely, then stir in red and green chocolate candies and white chocolate chips.
Serve:
Serve in a festive red and green bowl cluster for holiday flair.
Golden-brown Holiday Mix baked to perfection, filled with crispy cereal and sweet treats. Pin
Golden-brown Holiday Mix baked to perfection, filled with crispy cereal and sweet treats. | toastybasil.com

This mix always brings family together during the holidays, sparking smiles and sharing.

Notes

Add dried cranberries for an extra festive touch. Pairs well with light sparkling wines or holiday punch.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, small mixing bowl, whisk, baking sheet, parchment paper, spatula.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat, milk (from chocolate chips), soy (from Worcestershire sauce), and peanuts (if using). Contains possible tree nut traces if candies are processed in shared facilities.

Festive red and green bowl overflowing with delicious Holiday Mix everyone will enjoy. Pin
Festive red and green bowl overflowing with delicious Holiday Mix everyone will enjoy. | toastybasil.com

This holiday mix is the perfect blend of sweet and salty for festive occasions.

Recipe Q&A

Can I make this snack mix nut-free?

Yes, simply substitute the peanuts with pumpkin seeds or additional pretzels to keep the mix nut-free.

How should I store the snack mix for best freshness?

Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain crunch and flavor.

Are there any recommended pairing drinks for this mix?

This snack pairs well with light sparkling wines or holiday punch, enhancing festive moments.

What is the baking temperature and time for this mix?

Bake at 250°F (120°C) for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting throughout.

Can I customize the sweetness level in the mix?

Adjust the amount of brown sugar or candy pieces to suit your preferred balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Holiday Mix Snack

Crunchy, sweet-and-salty snack featuring cereals, pretzels, and festive candies in a vibrant presentation.

Prep duration
10 min
Cooking duration
60 min
Complete duration
70 min


Skill level Easy

Origin American

Yield 12 Portions

Dietary specifications Vegetarian

Components

Cereals

01 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
02 3 cups Corn Chex cereal
03 2 cups Wheat Chex cereal

Savory Additions

01 1 cup mini pretzels
02 1 cup roasted peanuts (optional, substitute with pumpkin seeds for nut-free)

Sweet Additions

01 1 cup red and green chocolate candies (e.g., M&Ms)
02 1 cup white chocolate chips

Coating

01 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
02 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
03 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
04 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set oven temperature to 250°F (120°C).

Step 02

Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, mini pretzels, and roasted peanuts or pumpkin seeds.

Step 03

Prepare coating mixture: In a separate small bowl, whisk together melted butter, light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and kosher salt.

Step 04

Mix coating with dry ingredients: Pour the butter mixture over the cereal and pretzel blend, tossing gently to ensure even coating.

Step 05

Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the coated mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 06

Bake the mixture: Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to toast uniformly.

Step 07

Cool and add sweets: Allow the snack mix to cool completely, then fold in red and green chocolate candies along with white chocolate chips.

Step 08

Serve festively: Present the finished mix in a red and green bowl cluster to enhance holiday ambiance.

Necessary tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Spatula

Allergy information

Review each component for possible allergens and if uncertain, we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional.
  • Contains wheat, milk (from white chocolate chips), soy (from Worcestershire sauce), and peanuts (if included). Possible tree nut traces in chocolate candies. Verify labels for allergens when serving to sensitive individuals.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as a general guide and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 230
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Carbs: 36 g
  • Protein: 3 g