Description

A comforting, crunchy snack mix featuring toasted Chex cereal, pecans, walnuts, and a homemade caramel coating infused with maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It captures the essence of autumn with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

9 cups Chex cereal mix (combination of Rice, Corn, and Wheat Chex)
1.5 cups raw unsalted pecans and walnuts
0.5 cup unsalted butter
0.5 cup 100% pure maple syrup
0.5 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
0.25 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
0.5 tsp flaky sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread pecans and walnuts on a small baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes until fragrant. Remove, let cool, and chop roughly.
Line a large half-sheet baking pan (18×13 inches) with parchment paper.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for another 30-60 seconds until bubbling and sugar is dissolved.
Stir cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the hot caramel mixture.
Pour toasted nuts into a large mixing bowl with the Chex cereal. Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the cereal and toss quickly with a silicone spatula until evenly coated.
Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through (at 7 minutes) to ensure even toasting. The mix should be deep golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool completely on the counter until the caramel hardens.
Break into clusters and store in an airtight container.

Notes

Toast nuts before adding for better flavor. Work quickly when mixing caramel to prevent hardening. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container to maintain crunch; humidity will soften the mix. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Snack
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 0.5 cup
Calories: 220
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 180
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 3

Keywords: fall snack, chex mix, caramel chex, maple pecan mix, autumn recipe, party snack, make-ahead snack, gluten-free option