This harvest hash chex mix is the PERFECT combination of sweet, salty and crunchy. I was a little nervous about the Bugles – I wasn’t sure how they’d fit in with the sweetness, but they taste amazing! My 6 year old has been picking out handfuls of the Bugles saying they’re the best part. She says next time I can leave out the Chex cereal. Ha! I actually think the Chex might be my favourite part though? Along with the Reese’s Pieces… really, the whole combination just works really well together.
It’s so perfect for this time of year – a little bit like comfort food. I’m FREEZING right now. I’m sitting in my office chair with my fluffy fleece housecoat on. It’s cold and it’s raining, but I’m munching on this delicious chex mix, and it’s making me so excited for fall weather! Leaves crunching under your feet. The gorgeous fall colours on the trees. Turtle necks! (I might be a little crazy on that one, but I LOVE when it gets cold enough that I can start wearing turtlenecks again! So cozy.). What can I say? I love this time of year!
I was inspired by the recipe over at The House of Hendrix – except she combined all the ingredients as a sort of trail mix without a sauce. I thought this was just calling out for some kind of sweet and buttery flavouring – a sweet Chex mix, rather than a savory one. And then baking the mixture added to the amazing crunch of the whole thing.
And surprisingly, baking it made the whole house smell delicious!
Check out our video for how to make Harvest Hash Chex Mix:
Check out our other Halloween treat recipes for even more inspiration:
Scarecrow Crunch Halloween Snack Mix
Halloween Harvest Hash Chex Mix
The full printable recipe is at the end of this post, but here’s what you’ll need:
If you find candy corn too sweet, feel free to leave it out. It tastes AMAZING with just the cereal, pretzels, bugles and Reese’s pieces. But of course, that’s not very much fun for Halloween!
Oh my word. That sauce. A mixture of brown sugar, butter and vanilla extract – it tasted amazing!
I tossed the Chex cereal, the Bugles and the pretzels with the sauce, and baked them as you’d bake regular Chex mix. It’s a big recipe. I had two cookie sheets full like in the photo below.
I’m not the biggest candy corn fan – it’s just soooooo sweet. But it made the Chex mix so pretty! Look at the gorgeous fall colours in there!!
Besides, my candy loving 4 year old ate up all the candy corn pieces from the mix. Funny how between the five of us, everyone had a different favourite.
Be prepared, this makes a big batch. It’s great for a party, or giving away in little treat bags! Or you can store it in an air tight container and you’ll have a yummy snack ready for you all week long.
Halloween Harvest Hash Chex Mix
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 3/4 cup Butter melted
- 3/4 cup Brown sugar packed
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla extract
For the Mix:
- 1 box Rice Chex [365g 12 oz]
- 1 bag Bugles [213g 7 oz bag]
- 4 cups Pretzel twists
- 1 heaping cup Candy Corn
- 1 heaping cup Candy Corn Pumpkins
- 1 bag Reese's Pieces [230g 8oz]
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in medium bowl or measuring cup.
- Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract and whisk well until combined and dissolved.
- In a VERY large bowl, add the Chex cereal, pretzels and Bugles.
- Pour the sauce over the cereal mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide mixture on the two baking sheets and spread in even layers.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool. Then add it to a large bowl, along with the candy corn, pumpkins and Reese's Pieces. Toss to combine.
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
This Halloween harvest hash Chex mix is the PERFECT combination of sweet and salty. It tastes sooooooooo good!! And the colours are so beautiful for fall!
So many of you had the awesome idea of putting a cup of snack mix in a little baggy and tying it with an orange ribbon and I LOVE that idea! I made a similar recipe using caramel corn to make Scarecrow Crunch Snack Mix and here’s the little bag I made. These would be soooo cute to pass out as party favours at Halloween parties!
If you’re looking for more reasonably healthy fall snack ideas, check out our Apple and Caramel Fall Treats. These are so simple, but so pretty and they make a great alternative to candy at this time of year!
Want to make it with caramel corn instead? Check out our video for how to make Scarecrow Crunch Halloween Snack Mix and grab the easy recipe here:
I found your recipe and made it for our granddaughters birthday party a few yrs ago. It was a big hit with all! The birthday’s are in the fall. It is requested every yr. Thanks for a simple, easy and great treat!
2 TABLESPOONS vanilla extract?????
This is addictive! I thought it was just me but I noticed everyone coming back to it all evening. This will be my third year making it.
Turned out great 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, Claudia!
This is my family’s favorite fall treat. Sweet and salty to satisfy the whole family.
This looks absolutely delicious. I think I will be making this for my son’s birthday party. A great snack to have at a fall party. We have peanut lovers in our house and may add some the ingredients before baking it. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Is two TABLESPOONS of vanilla of correct?! I used just two TEASPOONS, and that seemed like more than enough…
Hi Danie! Yes, we used 2 tablespoons, but I’m glad teaspoons worked for you!
can you freeze leftovers? TIA
Hi Ashley… interesting question! I’ve never done it, but I think it would freeze fairly well. I would probably put it in a ziploc bag and then put the bag in an airtight container to make sure no frost/moisture gets in.
For peanut allergy friendly version what would you suggest? Thinking about chocolate chips or marshmallows but not sure how well those will hold up in the mix. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Angelic! I think those options would be great, as long as you add them in the second part, once the coated ingredients are cooled. I’m not totally familiar with peanut free offerings, unfortunately… but the great thing about this mix is how customizable it is. Any kind of peanut free M&M alternative would work in place of the Reese’s Pieces, for instance.