This Caramel Chex Mix Recipe has been a family favorite for a long time. Imagine a delicious mix of caramel popcorn, Corn Chex, peanuts, and crunchy chow mein noodles, all generously coated in a sweet, sugary caramel sauce. It’s a treat that combines different textures and flavors for a truly irresistible snack.
It’s the best caramel corn popcorn mix ever! You know, when you coat each ingredient in this popcorn snack mix with caramel, every bite becomes an instant favorite. That means nobody’s digging around for just one thing. Plus, the best part is how easy it is to whip up,and the generous quantity it yields, making it perfect for sharing!
THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS CARAMEL CHEX MIX RECIPE
My mom was quite the baker and cook, you know. With four boys, me, and a total of seven in the family, she pretty much had to be. She seemed to always be in the kitchen or tending to the garden. Over time, she passed down her recipes to me, and this one is a real gem.
Every holiday season, she’d pull out her old, but much-loved, aluminum roasting pan to whip up this amazing Chex mix with popcorn. I can still remember waiting eagerly for it to bake, and then diving in for those yummy handfuls. She used to pack some of it in containers to share with friends and neighbors.
So this year, I’m keeping up the tradition and making it for my neighbors. Using her big aluminum pan, I felt like she was right there in the kitchen with me, chatting about the recipe just like old times.
WHAT TO DO WITH A BIG BATCH OF CARAMEL POPCORN
If you find that this popcorn mix recipe yields too much, simply cut it in half.
Otherwise if you’re making a big batch there are a lot of ways to enjoy this mix. Our family doesn’t have any problem devouring this recipe, plus I share it with friends and family.
It’s the ideal present for the holiday season!
- Host a Movie Night: Share this delectable snack with friends during a cozy movie night at home, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Create Gift Jars: Fill up mason jars or decorative containers with the caramel chex popcorn mix to give as personalized and tasty gifts.
- Party Snack Bowl: Serve it in a large bowl at parties or gatherings, where guests can enjoy this sweet and crunchy treat.
- Road Trip Snack: Pack it in ziplock bags or portable containers for a delightful snack during long road trips.
- After-School Surprise: Surprise kids with this tasty mix as a special after-school treat that they can look forward to.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CARAMEL CHEX MIX RECIPE
- Rich Caramel Flavor: The combination of butter, sugar, and vanilla extract creates a luscious caramel coating that’s simply irresistible.
- Perfect Mix of Textures: The blend of popcorn, Corn Chex, and crispy chow mein noodles offers a delightful contrast between crunchy and soft.
- Nutty Delight: Peanuts add a satisfying nutty crunch, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Sweet Surprise: The addition of peanut M&Ms brings a playful burst of chocolate and candy shell, adding a fun twist to each bite.
- Homemade Goodness: This mix, being homemade, offers a comforting, nostalgic taste that store-bought snacks can’t match.
- Versatile Snack: It’s perfect for parties, movie nights, or as a special treat during the holidays.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive taste and texture, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it accessible for any home cook.
- Big Batch for Sharing: This recipe yields a generous amount, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or neighbors, making it a great choice for gatherings.
INGREDIENTS FOR THIS CARAMEL POPCORN MIX
- Popcorn: Provides a light, airy base that beautifully absorbs the caramel, adding a classic popcorn treat element to the mix.
- Corn Chex: Offers a crispy, crunchy texture that contrasts well with the softer popcorn, enhancing the overall mouthfeel.
- Cheerios: Add a wholesome, oaty crunch, contributing another layer of texture to the mix.
- Chow Mein Noodles: Bring a unique, savory crunch that pairs surprisingly well with the sweet caramel.
- Peanuts: Contribute a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch, complementing the sweet components.
- Butter (for the sauce): Adds richness and depth to the caramel sauce, creating a creamy, indulgent coating.
- Brown Sugar (for the sauce): Provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the caramel, enriching its flavor profile.
- Corn Syrup (for the sauce): Helps create a smooth, glossy caramel sauce and prevents crystallization for a consistent texture.
- Vanilla Extract (for the sauce): Infuses the caramel with a warm, aromatic flavor, elevating its taste.
- Baking Soda (for the sauce): Reacts to create a lighter, fluffier texture in the caramel, ensuring it coats each ingredient evenly.
HOW TO MAKE THIS CARAMEL SNACK
Step 1 – Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
Step 2 – Make Popcorn
Step 3 – Mix Ingredients
In a large baking pan, mix together popcorn, Corn Chex, Cherrios, Chow Mein noodles, and peanuts.
Step 4 – Make Caramel Sauce
Place butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium-sized pan. Bring to a boil and boil for five minutes at medium heat. Remove from the stove. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda and two teaspoons vanilla extract.
Step 5 – Add Sauce to Popcorn Mixture
Pour caramel sauce over the popcorn mixture and toss. Note that the caramel sauce turns a whiter caramel color once you add the baking soda. It foams up and gets lighter in color and texture.
Step 6 – Bake Popcorn Mixture
Bake in the oven for an hour. Stir about every 20 minutes. Once it is done, it is important to keep stirring until completely cooled so the ingredients don’t stick together.
Step 7 – Add Peanut M&Ms
After the mixture has cooled, I add the peanut M&Ms; otherwise, they will melt and blend their color into the snack.
Place the mixture on parchment-lined baking trays if you like.
Caramel Chex Mix Recipe
Ingredients
Popcorn Mix
- 15 cups popcorn
- 6 cups Corn Chex
- 6 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles I use the crispy noodles that come in a can.
- 1 cup dry unsalted peanuts
- 10 oz Peanut M&M's You can add as much as you like of these Peanut M&Ms.
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar I use dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup corn syrup
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 250°
Popcorn Mix
- Make popcorn.
- Mix popcorn, Corn Chex, Cheerios, Chow Mein noodles, and peanuts in a large baking pan.
Make Caramel Sauce
- Place butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium-sized pan. Bring to a boil and boil for five minutes at medium heat. Remove from the stove. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda and two teaspoons vanilla extract.
Add Sauce to Popcorn Mixture
- Pour caramel sauce over the popcorn mixture and toss.
Bake Popcorn Mixture
- Bake in the oven for an hour. Stir about every 20 minutes. Once it is done, it is important to keep stirring until completely cooled so the ingredients don’t stick together.
Add Peanut M&Ms
- After the mixture has cooled, I add the peanut M&Ms; otherwise, they will melt and blend their color into the snack.
Nutrition
OTHER SNACKS
HOW TO STORE YOUR CHEX MIX POPCORN
Keep this caramel popcorn mix fresh by storing it in an airtight container. My go-to are the large round Tupperware containers – I use two of them for keeping this snack mix perfectly crisp.
HOW LONG WILL THIS CHEX SNACK LAST
This caramel popcorn mix, when stored properly in an airtight container, can typically last for about one to two weeks. Keeping it sealed helps maintain its freshness and crunch. However, it’s best enjoyed within the first week for optimal taste and texture.
Soak the pan in hot, soapy water for a while, then gently scrub to remove the caramel residue.
Yes, you can use microwave popcorn. Just make sure it’s plain or lightly salted to complement the caramel.
Not as is, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free versions of Chex and chow mein noodles.
Simply omit the peanuts and ensure none of the other ingredients contain nuts or nut traces.
Absolutely, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the mix after baking for an extra layer of sweetness.
30 cups
You’ll need a large roasting pan. Ideally, a pan about 16 to 20 inches long and 12 to 14 inches wide should be sufficient. This size will provide enough space to mix the ingredients comfortably and ensure even coating and baking. If you don’t have a large enough pan, consider using two smaller pans and dividing the mix.
Yes! I would use the biggest one you can find. I fould some that are 15.75″ x 11.25″ and if that isn’t big enough split the batch into two containers.
I really hope you get to try out this caramel Chex mix recipe. Honestly, I adore every single ingredient in it, which makes it super tough to resist just munching on the whole batch!
Thanks a bunch for dropping by, and here’s wishing you a truly wonderful Christmas!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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Leslie G.
Another 5-star winner! It’s so so good!!