Here is my favorite harvest party chex mix recipe, with a perfect blend of cereals, nuts, pretzels, and a buttery seasoned coating that gets baked until crispy and golden.

This chex mix is always the first snack to disappear at our fall gatherings. I usually make a double batch because my kids love munching on it after school, and honestly, I find myself sneaking handfuls throughout the day too.

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Why You’ll Love This Chex Mix

Perfect party snack – This festive mix is ideal for fall gatherings, game day, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing treat that disappears fast.
Sweet and salty combination – The brown sugar coating perfectly balances the salty pretzels and cereal with sweet candy pieces, creating an addictive flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Easy to make ahead – You can prepare this mix in advance and store it for days, making it a stress-free option for entertaining or gift-giving.
No special skills required – Just mix, coat, and bake – it’s so simple that even beginner cooks can make this recipe successfully every time.
Feeds a crowd – This recipe makes a large batch that’s perfect for sharing at parties, potlucks, or dividing into gift bags for friends and neighbors.

What Kind of Rice Cereal Should I Use?

While the recipe calls for Chex cereal specifically, you can actually use any crispy rice cereal you have on hand. Chex is the classic choice because it holds up well to the sweet coating and has those perfect little squares that catch all the good stuff. If you can’t find Chex, other rice cereals like Rice Krispies or store-brand versions will work just fine, though they might get a bit softer once coated. The key is using a cereal that’s sturdy enough to handle mixing with the melted margarine and brown sugar without turning to mush. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fresh and crispy before you start – stale cereal will make your whole mix less satisfying.

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Options for Substitutions

This party mix is super easy to customize based on what you have in your pantry:

Rice cereal: Any Chex cereal works great here – corn, wheat, or honey nut all bring their own flavor. You can even mix different types for variety.
Pretzel twists: Swap these out for pretzel sticks, mini pretzels, or even oyster crackers if that’s what you have on hand.
Bugles: No Bugles? Try using corn nuts, wasabi peas, or even small crackers like Cheez-Its for that crunchy element.
Reese’s Pieces: M&Ms, chocolate chips, or any small candy-coated chocolates work perfectly. Just add them after the mix cools so they don’t melt.
Autumn candy mix: This is totally flexible – use any seasonal candy corn, mini chocolate candies, or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a healthier twist.
Margarine: Butter works just as well and actually tastes better. You can also use coconut oil if you melt it first.
Brown sugar: White sugar works in a pinch, though you’ll lose some of that caramel flavor. Honey or maple syrup can work too, but reduce the margarine slightly since they add moisture.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making Chex mix is adding the candy too early, which will cause your Reese’s Pieces and autumn candy mix to melt into a sticky mess – always wait until the mixture has completely cooled before stirring in any chocolate or candy pieces.

Another common error is not stirring frequently enough while the cereal mixture bakes, leading to uneven coating and burnt spots, so make sure to toss everything every 15 minutes for even browning.

Don’t rush the cooling process either, as hot Chex mix will turn soggy once stored – spread it out on parchment paper and let it cool completely before adding the candy and transferring to airtight containers.

For the best flavor, make sure your brown sugar coating is well-mixed with the melted margarine and vanilla before drizzling it over the cereal, and consider doubling the batch since this party mix disappears fast!

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What to Serve With Harvest Party Chex Mix?

This sweet and salty snack mix is perfect for fall gatherings and pairs great with other party favorites like cheese and crackers or a veggie tray with ranch dip. I love setting it out alongside some apple cider or hot chocolate for the full autumn experience, and it also goes nicely with other finger foods like mini sandwiches or sliders. Since it’s already loaded with candy and has that sweet-salty thing going on, you can balance it out with some fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes. It’s also fantastic as a standalone snack for movie nights, game day, or just when you want something crunchy and satisfying to munch on.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This party mix stays crunchy and delicious when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I like to use a big glass jar or plastic container with a tight lid to keep all those flavors locked in. Make sure it’s completely cooled before storing so it doesn’t get soggy.

Portion Out: Since this recipe makes a huge batch, I love dividing it into smaller containers or mason jars to give as gifts or keep portions fresh longer. You can also fill up some cute bags for party favors – just make sure to seal them well so the mix doesn’t go stale.

Make Ahead: This harvest mix is perfect for making a few days before your party since the flavors actually get better as they sit together. I often make it on a Sunday for weekend gatherings, and it’s always a hit. Just give it a good stir before serving to redistribute all the goodies.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	45-60 minutes
Total Time	55-75 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 5300-5800
Protein: 30-40 g
Fat: 190-220 g
Carbohydrates: 900-1000 g

Ingredients

For the snack base:

1 box (12 oz) rice cereal, such as chex
4 cups mini pretzel twists
1 bag (7 oz) bugles

For the coating:

3/4 cup melted margarine
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp vanilla extract

For the candy add-ins:

2 boxes (4 oz each) reese’s pieces
2 bags (9 oz each) autumn themed candy mix

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) to prepare for baking the snack mix.

Ensuring your oven is fully preheated will help the mix bake evenly and develop a nice crisp texture.

Step 2: Make the Sweet Sauce

3/4 cup melted margarine
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted margarine, packed brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

This sweet sauce will help bind the mix and add delicious flavor to every bite.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

1 box (12 oz) rice cereal, such as Chex
4 cups mini pretzel twists
1 bag (7 oz) Bugles

In a very large bowl, combine the rice cereal, mini pretzel twists, and Bugles.

Toss gently to distribute them evenly before adding the sauce.

Step 4: Add Sauce and Mix

sweet sauce from Step 2
cereal and snack mix from Step 3

Pour the sweet sauce from Step 2 over the dry ingredients in the large bowl.

Gently stir the mixture with a spatula or large spoon, making sure every piece is coated evenly.

Be careful not to crush the cereal or pretzels.

Step 5: Bake the Snack Mix

prepared snack mix from Step 4

Spread the coated snack mix evenly onto a large baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking and crispiness.

The mix should turn golden and feel dry to the touch when done.

I like to leave the oven door slightly open in the last few minutes to help it cool and crisp up faster.

Step 6: Cool and Add Candy

2 boxes (4 oz each) Reese’s Pieces
2 bags (9 oz each) autumn themed candy mix

Remove the baked snack mix from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet.

Once cooled, add the Reese’s Pieces and autumn themed candy mix.

Stir gently to incorporate the candies evenly throughout the mix.

Store the finished snack mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh.