This fall Chex mix with candy corn combines corn Chex cereal, pretzels, Bugles, pecans and fall-colored candies with a brown sugar and pumpkin spice glaze. It is a sweet and salty snack for Halloween parties, harvest gatherings and Thanksgiving.
This microwave snack mix needs no oven for the main method. Adults handle the hot glaze and heating; kids can help add the candy after everything has cooled. Browse more party snack ideas for your menu.
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I'm a sucker for a good Chex mix. Especially at parties. No matter if it's a salty trail mix or a sweet Chex mix, they are great for munching on while waiting for food like this caramel corn recipe I have.
The fall flavor comes from pumpkin pie spice, not pumpkin puree. Keep the candy corn for a Halloween look, or use your favorite fall-colored candies for a Thanksgiving snack table.
I can't help but appreciate how portable snack mixes are like my popular Muddy Buddy recipe! And best of all, they don't require reheating or refrigeration!
The pretzels and Bugles balance the sweet glaze, while the pecans add crunch. Add the candies last so they keep their shape.
Make this a grab-and-go snack in small food-safe cups or treat bags once the mix has cooled completely.
Don't forget to check out my Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball and my other sweet party snacks!
Fall Chex Mix with Candy Corn
Pumpkin Glaze Ingredients
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Pumpkin Spice
- Vanilla Extract
Chex Mix Ingredients
- Chex Cereal
- Candy Corn
- Pecans
- Bugles
- Pretzels
- Reese’s Pieces or fall-colored M&M’s
Pumpkin pie spice gives this mix its fall flavor. You can reduce or omit the spice to suit your taste; no pumpkin puree is needed.
The glaze uses butter and brown sugar, with no corn syrup.
The pumpkin pie spice adds warm spice flavor without needing pumpkin puree. If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can simply use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. If you want, you can always make your own.
Microwaving Your Chex Mix
Use a large, heat-resistant bowl labeled microwave-safe, plus a heat-safe silicone spatula and oven mitts. The heating time depends on your microwave and bowl; shorter bursts let you check for scorching.
Combine the cereal, pretzels, Bugles and pecans first. Melt the butter separately, whisk in the sugar, spice and vanilla, then fold the warm glaze through the dry mix with a spatula. Keep the candy corn and chocolate candies aside.
Heat in short, 30-second bursts, gently folding between each burst and checking the coating. Do not heat continuously for two minutes or use your hands on the warm mix. Stop if the glaze begins to scorch; the original approximately five-minute heating time is a guide, not a requirement.
Spread the mix on a parchment-lined tray on the counter. Once the glaze has cooled completely and set, fold in the candy corn and Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s. Waiting prevents melted candy and soggy treat bags.
If you're looking for another fun kids recipe, try making a DIY Halloween Milkshake Bar!
About the Oven Variation
The microwave method is the main recipe below. An older oven variation and a reader reply used different temperatures and times, so an oven version needs another kitchen check before we recommend a single method. Keep candy corn and chocolate candies out of any heating step and add them after cooling.
Halloween Inspired Mix-Ins
I used candy corn and Reese's Pieces in this recipe because in my opinion, they scream Halloween and are easy to find.
For a family Halloween menu, pair this snack with Halloween mocktails and Oreo dirt pudding. For a larger spread, browse our Halloween appetizers.
For Thanksgiving, use fall-colored candies and serve the mix alongside your Thanksgiving appetizers.
Reese's Pieces are peanut butter flavored so if you don't want that flavor in your mix, then I suggest using fall colored M&M's instead so you have a chocolate flavor! OR you can leave them out entirely.
Candy corn gives the mix its classic harvest look, but you can leave it out or use another candy your guests enjoy. Check product labels when accommodating allergies.
If you want to kick it up a notch on the festive scale, add those Halloween candy pumpkins too! I personally think they are too clunky but again, it is all about presentation so maybe a few here and there won't hurt.
Substitutions/Variations
This is YOUR party mix so feel free to add in whatever you like! Here are some other suggestions if you want to add other ingredients to your mix:
- Mix up your flavored Chex cereals- They have cinnamon, wheat, honey and chocolate Chex.
- Add in different types/shapes of pretzels- They have waffle pretzels, sticks, balls, twists, etc.
- Add nuts for added crunch- Peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts and pecans would be delicious,
- Add dried fruit- Craisins, raisins, and cherries are fun and festive.
- Chocolate - Add white, dark or peanut butter chocolate chips.
- Marshmallows- This is a fun treat that adds color and sweetness for the kiddos.
- Granola- They have pumpkin granola too!
- Candy Corn Pumpkin- They are another festive candy addition!
AGT’s Tips
- Fold gently. Use a heat-safe silicone spatula for the glaze-coated mix. Hands are only suitable for dry, unheated ingredients or completely cooled mix.
- Use short heating intervals. Check and gently fold between bursts; microwave power varies and sugar can scorch quickly.
- Pick out the broken pieces. This is a great task for the little ones but is completely optional. Again, it is purely for aesthetics.
- Package it in bags! When fully cooled, add to a plastic bag and package it for treat bags or gifts!
- Choose the right liner. Parchment is useful for cooling on the counter. Wax paper is for counter cooling only here, not oven baking; follow the liner manufacturer’s guidance.
Allergen note: This version contains pecans and may contain peanuts, milk, wheat and other allergens depending on the products used. Check every package and cross-contact information before making an allergy-friendly version.
Need an easy party punch to serve this Halloween? This one is my favorite!
FAQ's
Wait for it to fully cool then add it to an airtight container for up to one week.
Yes. Cool the mix completely before storing it airtight in a cool, dry place. For best texture, enjoy within one week. Freezing this version has not been tested.
Other Halloween snacks you might like:
Try Chocolate Pretzel Spiders for another sweet snack, or Halloween Phyllo Ghosts for a savory bite.
Fall Chex Mix with Candy Corn
Ingredients
Method
- Add the Chex cereal, Bugles, pretzels and pecans to a large heat-resistant bowl specifically labeled microwave-safe. Leave room to fold the mix without spilling.
- Melt the butter in a separate microwave-safe bowl in short bursts. Whisk in the brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice until evenly combined.
- Pour the warm glaze over the cereal mixture and fold gently with a heat-safe silicone spatula. Do not use your hands to mix hot glaze or hot cereal.
- Microwave on high in short, 30-second bursts, gently folding with a heat-safe spatula between each burst. Use oven mitts to handle the bowl. The original recipe allows about 5 minutes of heating, but microwave power and bowl size vary: stop sooner if the coating begins to scorch, and do not keep heating just to reach a fixed time.
- Spread the mix on a parchment-lined tray on the counter and allow it to cool completely, until the glaze is no longer warm and the coating has set. Do not package while warm.
- Once completely cool, gently fold in the candy corn and Reese's Pieces or M&M's. Serve or transfer to an airtight container.
Katie
Can this be frozen so I can make it ahead of time
Aleka Shunk
I have not frozen it before but it might work!
Amanda
Flavor was on point but recommend microwaving in shorter bursts. Put my mix in for the first two minutes and a minute and a half in I smelt burning…the butter/sugar had melted into a molten pile and melted a hole in my Tupperware bowl! I started over and this time microwaved in 30 second bursts, stirring between each round. Used m&m’s instead of Reese’s, peanuts, and mini candy corns. Delicious!
Aleka Shunk
Thanks for the tip Amanda!
Caroline
Can it be done in the oven or slow cooker as I do not own a microwave
Aleka Shunk
Hi Caroline!
You can do this in a sauce pan and oven but it is a little more temperamental. To do this, melt your butter, brown sugar, vanilla and spice in a saucepan over medium heat letting it simmer nicely. After about 5 minutes, take it off the heat and pour over your check mix on a baking sheet (leaving out the candy corn and Reese's). Toss well. Bake at 300 for about 10 minutes. Then allow to cool before adding corn and Reese's. LMK how it turns out!! 🙂
Chelle Thompson
Ready and eat. Yummy... Delicious and great. Your recipe is awesome. I followed it. After that, I did better than I expected. Before, I rarely made this dish but now I love to make it. Thank you very much for your great sharing. Hope you will have more good articles.
Aleka Shunk
Thank you!