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5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix — Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! If you need a quick fall party snack, make this! It’s dangerously fast, super easy, and SO CRAZY GOOD!!

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix - Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! Dangerously fast, super easy, and SO.CRAZY.GOOD!!

Easy Fall Chex Mix Recipe

Chex mix is so addicting and once I start eating it, it’s so hard to stop. One handful turns into five. Whoops. And then I made another batch.

What makes this version even more dangerous is how fast and easy it is. No baking or slow cookers required!

I have a recipe for Crock-Pot Maple Chex Mix but it takes longer to make. This version comes together in the microwave in 3 minutes.

The mix is salty-and-sweet, crunchy, crispy, slightly chewy, and there are so many flavors and textures in every bite.

The pumpkin spice flavor is present without being overwhelming, the honey-roasted peanuts add a nice touch, there are caramel undertones from the brown sugar, and the orange-flavored dried cranberries slightly perfume the mix.

My daughter’s favorite parts are the salty pretzels and the sweet candy corn. She’s a candy corn addict. Since there’s only 2 tablespoons of butter in the entire batch, that’s permission to mindlessly snack until your heart’s content.

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix - Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! Dangerously fast, super easy, and SO.CRAZY.GOOD!!

What’s in Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix? 

To make this quick and easy fall Chex mix, you’ll need: 

  • Honey Nut Chex
  • Wheat Chex
  • Mini pretzels
  • Honey roasted peanuts
  • Unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Corn syrup
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Salt
  • Dried cranberries
  • Candy corn

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

Simply melt together the butter, corn syrup, sugar, and spices in the microwave. Pour over the Chex, peanuts, and pretzels and nuke in the microwave all together for 3 minutes total. 

Once cool, stir in the candy corn and dried cranberries and dig in! 

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix - Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! Dangerously fast, super easy, and SO.CRAZY.GOOD!!

Can I Use Different Mix-Ins?

Yes! I used honey-roasted peanuts, mini pretzels, candy corn, and orange-flavored dried cranberries.

If you want to use a different type of nut, style of pretzel, substitute a different type of candy like M&Ms or chocolate chips, or another type of dried fruit, feel free.

Can the Corn Syrup Be Substituted? 

Most likely, yes, although I haven’t tried using honey or maple syrup rather than corn syrup.

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix - Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! Dangerously fast, super easy, and SO.CRAZY.GOOD!!

Tips for Making This Easy Fall Snack

There’s some flexibility in the recipe depending on what you have on hand and enjoy. I used Honey Nut Chex and Wheat Chex. The Honey Nut stays crisper and is sweeter while the Wheat Chex turns chewier and nuttier.

If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, I imagine it’s easy enough to do by using gluten-free pretzel twists and gluten-free Chex cereal. 

You can store any leftover Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. 

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix — Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! If you need a quick fall party snack, make this! It's dangerously fast, super easy, and SO CRAZY GOOD!!

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix
Yield: about 8 1/2 cups

5-Minute Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Two kinds of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn! Dangerously fast, super easy, and SO CRAZY GOOD!!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Honey Nut Chex (other varieties of Chex may be substituted)
  • 2 cups Wheat Chex
  • 2 cups mini pretzel twists
  • 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts (peanuts or another nut may be substituted)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 3/4 cup dried orange-flavored cranberries (dried cranberries or another dried fruit may be substituted)
  • 3/4 cup candy corn (or try M&Ms, chocolate chips, etc.)

Instructions

  1. To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the Honey Nut Chex, Wheat Chex, pretzels, peanuts, and stir to combine; set aside.
  2. To a 2-cup glass measuring cup or a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, pumpkin pie spice (looks like a lot but you need an ample amount to flavor the entire batch), salt, and stir to combine.
  4. Place measuring cup in the microwave and heat on high power until mixture is bubbly and boiling, about 30 seconds but watch it very closely because it can go fast.
  5. Evenly drizzle brown sugar mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
  6. Place bowl in the microwave and heat on high power for 3 minutes, stopping after each minute to stir.
  7. After the mix has cooled for about 5 minutes, add the cranberries, candy corn, and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Mix will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

17

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 179Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 228mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g
© Averie Sunshine
Cuisine: American / Category: Chips, Crackers, Snack Mixes & Nuts

More Fall Snack Ideas: 

Crock-Pot Maple Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix — Loaded with fall flavors and made in a Crock-Pot! Way too easy and totally irresistible!

Crock-Pot Maple Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix - Loaded with fall flavors and made in a Crock-Pot! Wayyy too easy and totally irresistible!!!

Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts Trail Mix – Candied nuts like you get at the mall with trail mix add-ins. This stuff is dangerously good!

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Caramel Apple Board - It's caramel apple season and this caramel apple board is a FUN and festive quintessential fall treat! EASY to prep and it's a wonderful family family-friendly activity for kids and adults alike!

Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts— The smell of candied nuts is one of the best parts of holiday shopping! Munch on a these shopping mall-style candied nuts at home, year-round. 

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Dip— This pumpkin pie dip is a healthier treat that you can make in less than 5 minutes. Serve it alongside pretzels, gingersnaps, graham crackers, and more!

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