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:
Kevin says
How do you stir something on a baking sheet?
Kim Hoffstatter says
You can use a 9×13 pan instead of a baking sheet. That makes it easier to stir. I make a cereal mix similar to this during Christmas and bake in the 9×13. So easy to stir using a rubber spatula.
jan g says
just made this – used my microwave method for making regular Chex mix; mixed the sauce in pyrex together until butter was melted; added vanilla. i combine the cereals/pretzels/bugles in a large “rubbermaid” container; poured sauce over; combined. with MY microwave i do 3 minutes at 60% power, take out, stir; another 3 minutes 60% power, take out, stir; then 2 minutes at 60% power, take out, stir, cool then added the M&M’s and candy corn. i also added some cajun seasoning and sea salt to our taste and thought it gave it a nice kick. if those who have tried found too sweet, cut down on the brown sugar… this is going to a party tomorrow night and i’m sure it won’t be too sweet for the big boys… nice recipe for a different take
Kathy says
What size bags did you use to package this treat?
Jessica says
I made this mix today and doubled it. The first batch I put in the oven started to brown/burn on the bottom of the pan after the first 30 min. I turned oven down the oven to 225 degrees with the second batch and it turned out perfect! Beware though, this mix is addictive!
Vicky says
This was dangerously delicious. I had not had bugles since I was a kid and didn’t remember what they tasted like. Thank You for sharing this recipe.
Julie Swett says
It was delicious! We have made it many times over!! It is addicting!
GrsnnyG says
Anyone add salted peanuts?
Tammie says
This is in my oven right now and it smells amazing! I know this is going to taste great. Need to get this out to friend quickly lol Thank you for sharing this.
Melodi Steinberg says
How come there is no parchment paper on your trays in the pictures?
Debbie Chapman says
There is definitely parchment paper on the trays. I use parchment paper for pretty much everything these days! I just folded it under neatly for the photos so it wouldn’t stick out.
Luann says
I made this for a scrapbooking retreat and it was a Big hit. I didn’t have to worry about how to store it’s it didn’t last long enough for that problem. I have been told by granddaughters to make it again. Thanks for all your ideas.
Eileen says
How many kids will this sever