• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Untold Recipes By Nosheen
  • All Recipes
  • My Story
  • Subscribe
  • Work With Me
  • Summer
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • My Story
  • Subscribe
  • Work With Me
  • Summer
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • My Story
  • Subscribe
  • Work With Me
  • Summer
×
Untold Recipes by Nosheen » Recipes » Desserts

Sweet & Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Modified: Mar 2, 2025 · Published: Dec 19, 2020 by Nosheen Babar · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Sharing is caring!

17 shares
  • Facebook2
  • LinkedIn
  • Print
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This sweet & salty Chex mix recipe is the perfect holiday snack, with an active prep and cooking time of just 20 minutes. Crispy cereal is layered with spiced toffee, semi-sweet chocolate, and chopped almonds. A sprinkle of silver leaf gives the snack the perfect festive sparkle.

A sweet and salty Chex mix recipe is plated and ready to be served.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

This festive holiday sweet and spicy Chex mix recipe is a happy fusion of chocolate bark and traditional Chex mix. A unique spice blend featuring traditional holiday spices and a dash of cayenne pepper gives the toffee a bold flavor. If you've never tried the combination of spices and chocolate, you're in for a treat!

A layer of semi-sweet melted chocolate chips topped with chopped almonds is the perfect finish and balances the spiced toffee well. The silver leaf, a symbol of celebratory desserts in Pakistan, is added for a flawless holiday finish.

Some other fun recipes to make over the holidays are mini bundt cakes (holiday spice cakes), almond cake (Pakistani bakery style), and orange glazed zucchini bread with dates.

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredient notes
  • Substitutions & variations
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQS
  • Other holiday recipes you may like
  • Sweet & Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

  • Perfect holiday recipe - Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, this recipe makes the perfect snack or appetizer while everyone waits for dinner. If you're headed over to spend the holiday with friends and family, this sweet & salty Chex mix recipe is easy to transport.
  • Great gift idea - This recipe is perfect to batch and distribute as holiday gifts for neighbors, school teachers, and anyone on your list.
  • Easy to customize - The best part about this Chex mix is its versatility. Change the spices and add different nuts; the sky's the limit!

Ingredient notes

Ingredients for a sweet and salty Chex mix recipe are lying on a white kitchen counter.
  • Cereal - I use multigrain cinnamon Life cereal for this recipe as I find it crispier than Chex.
  • Butter - Use a good quality butter with a high-fat content, like Kerrygold, for a rich toffee.
  • Brown sugar - Always use dark brown sugar when making the toffee for this recipe.
  • Spice blend - I use cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and cayenne for the spiced coffee. This sweet and salty Chex mix recipe is not spicy but has a little kick that pairs perfectly with the toffee, chocolate, and almonds.
  • Chocolate chips - I like to use semi-sweet chocolate for this Chex mix. My favorite brand is Ghirardelli, but feel free to use your favorite brand of chocolate chips.
  • Almonds - Whole, raw, unsalted almonds give this recipe the perfect texture.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

Substitutions & variations

  • Use a different cereal - Use the traditional Chex mix cereal for this recipe. It comes in 3 assorted varieties: wheat, corn, and rice. Mix them up, or use the one you like best. If you want this recipe to be gluten-free, use rice chex mix.
  • Try a different chocolate - Feel free to experiment with dark or white chocolate to change things up occasionally.
  • Experiment with the spices - Change up the spices. If you want to keep things simple, use a store-bought holiday or pumpkin spice mix. If you're not a fan, eliminate the cayenne and swap the cardamom for nutmeg for that authentic holiday feel.
  • Switch up the toppings - Try nuts like peanuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts instead of the almonds. Add some fruit like dried cranberries, mango, or candied orange peel. Even shredded coconut can be used to add a fun twist of flavor to the Chex mix.

Step-by-step instructions

Cereal is spread on a baking sheet while a toffee mixture is being cooked in a saucepan.
  • First step - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the cereal evenly.
  • Second step - Start making the toffee by melting the butter in a medium saucepan.
  • Third step - Add the brown sugar once the butter is completely melted and stir to mix.
  • Fourth step - Mix the prepared spice blend with the sweet and salty mixture.
Toffee is cooked, and drizzled over cereal for a sweet and salty Chex mix recipe.
  • Fifth step - Bring the mixture to a boil and cook on high heat.
  • Sixth step - The toffee must boil for at least 3 minutes until a thermometer reads 300 degrees farenheit.
  • Seventh step - You will know the toffee is ready when you have a sticky and frothy mixture with bubbles.
  • Eighth step - Pour the toffee over the cereal and bake immediately for 5 minutes to help the toffee set.
Freshly baked cereal and toffee are layered with chocolate chips and chopped almonds.
  • Ninth step - Remove the baked cereal with toffee after 5 minutes and sprinkle the chocolate chips in an even layer.
  • Tenth step - Wait about 1 minute for the chocolate to soften. Once the chocolate chips start turning glossy, use a spatula to spread them in an even layer.
  • Eleventh step - Immediately sprinkle with the chopped nuts so they stick to the chocolate. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour to allow time for everything to set.
  • Twelfth step - Remove the tray from the freezer and garnish with edible silver leaf. Break the Chex mix into pieces and serve.

Expert Tips

  • Use the right sugar - Always use dark brown sugar to make the toffee. It has a richer color and flavor as it contains more molasses, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
  • Cook the toffee properly - Not cooking the toffee long enough results in a chewy texture. Cooking it too long will make it brittle, grainy, and slightly bitter.
  • Have everything prepped - This is crucial as everything moves fast in this recipe. Waiting too long before baking the toffee will cool it down, and it won't have the right texture. Similarly, the chocolate won't melt if you wait too long to sprinkle it, and the almonds won't stick to the Chex mix if the chocolate cools down.

Recipe FAQS

Is there a way to make a dairy-free version of this recipe?

For a dairy-free version, use your favorite vegan butter and chocolate chips.

Can I freeze the Chex mix?

The Chex mix can be frozen in a ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

How do I store the Chex mix?

The Chex Mix can be stored in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

A piece of sweet and salty Chex mix is ready to be enjoyed.

Other holiday recipes you may like

  • Sliced cranberry walnut soda bread, served with butter and jam.
    Soda Bread Recipe (With Cranberries & Walnuts)
  • Freshly baked shortbread cookies with rose, pistachio and cardamom are plated in a silver plate.
    Shortbread Cookies (Rose, Pistachio & Cardamom)
  • White countertop with a dark metal cooling rack with crack candy resting on a red napkin, crushed peppermint scarred on the counter and a red tin pail lined with white tissue full of the crack candy.
    Crack Candy (with peppermint)
  • A mini pavlova with rose cream, kiwis and pomegranate seeds.
    Mini Pavlovas (With Rose Cream & Kiwi Compote)

If you decide to try this recipe, Please don't forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram! Thank You!

Chex mix layered with toffee, chocolate and almonds is plated.

Sweet & Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Nosheen Babar
This sweet & salty Chex mix recipe, a perfect holiday treat, is made with a blend of spices and layered with toffee, chocolate, and almonds.
5 from 1 vote
Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save Saved!

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24 servings
Calories 182 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups cereal (see notes)
  • 1 cup Salted Butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (see notes)
  • 1 cup almonds (see notes)
  • edible silver leaf (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Oven to 350°F.
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Spread the cereal on it in an even layer.
  • Chop the almonds roughly and set aside for later. (see notes)
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add the sugar and spices to it.
  • Once the mixture starts to bubble, cook it for exactly 3 minutes. (see notes)
  • Drizzle over the cereal as evenly as possible.
  • Bake for 5 minutes and then remove from the oven.
  • Sprinkle the chocolate over this cooked mixture in an even layer.
  • As soon as the chips melt and turn glossy, use a spatula to spread them over the toffee in an even layer. (see notes)
  • Add the chopped almonds and place the tray in the freezer for 1 hour.
  • Remove the tray and add the edible silver leaf if using. (see notes)
  • Brake the chex mix into rough pieces and enjoy.

Notes

Cereal—While the Chex mix is traditionally made with Chex cereal, I like Life cinnamon multigrain cereal for its crispy texture and flavor. You can use a different cereal if you prefer.
Chocolate chips - I used a 12-oz bag of Ghirardelli chocolate chips for this recipe. You can use your favorite brand instead if you prefer.
Almonds - I like to chop the nuts roughly by placing them in a sealed Ziploc bag and using a rolling pin to break them up. This results in pieces of different sizes, which gives the Chex mix more texture.
Cooking the toffee - To make it crunchy, it must be cooked to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. After it starts to boil, cook it for at least 3 minutes. It will begin to bubble and froth toward the end, indicating it's ready.
Spreading the chocolate: As soon as the cereal is removed from the oven, spread the chocolate on it. If it cools down, the chocolate will not melt properly.
Adding the silver leaf - This step is optional, but I love it for its festive touch. Cool the Chex mix entirely before adding the edible silver leaf.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 605IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 4mg
Have you tried this recipe yet?Mention @Untoldrecipesbynosheen or tag #Untoldrecipesbynosheen!

More Pakistani & South Asian Desserts

  • Four-ingredient mango dessert.
    Mango Mousse (Only 4-Ingredients!)
  • Homemade no churn ice cream in a bowl.
    Caramel Crunch Ice Cream Recipe
  • A jug of freshly cooked orange custard sauce.
    Custard Sauce (Orange Creme Anglaise)
  • Apple Galette Recipe (With Cooked Filling)

Reader Interactions

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Nosheen headshot

Welcome to Untold Recipes by Nosheen!

Here, you'll find authentic Pakistani recipes inspired by my childhood—a curated space to explore nostalgic recipes for all aspiring home cooks. It's all here, from slow-cooked Mughal wonders to regional delicacies and street food favorites. I aim to make all the recipes approachable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced cooks alike.

More about me

Spring Recipes

  • Pakistani style zucchini curry with naan.
    Pakistani Zucchini (Courgette) Curry
  • Chicken malai tikka skewers accompanied with red onions and lemon wedges are resting in a platter lined with brown paper.
    Chicken Malai Tikka
  • An air fryer asparagus recipe is plated in a blue plate that is resting on a greay napkin with gold cutlery.
    Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe
  • Thai chicken salad with mango is being served in a neutral colored bowl.
    Thai Chicken Salad With Mango
  • Raw mango chutney is plated in a bowl resting on a silver tray on top of a dark gray napkin.
    Raw Mango Chutney Recipe (No-Cook)
  • Sweet and spicy watermelon snack in abowl.
    Watermelon Chaat Recipe

Popular Recipes

  • Nihari topped with ginger, chopped green chilies and cilantro microgreens.
    Nihari (Pakistani Beef Shank Stew)
  • Mutton birayni is plated in a dark metal tray and served with raita and kachumber.
    Mutton Biryani Recipe
  • roast leg of goat {raan}
    Roast Leg Of Goat (Raan)
  • Cooked bihari kabab are plated and garnished with green chilies, sliced white onions and lemon slices.
    Bihari Kabab
  • Beef karahi gosht recipe.
    Beef Karahi Gosht Recipe
  • Brown parchment with cooked chicken tikka boti on skewers with green chutney, onions and micro greens.
    Easy Chicken Tikka Boti Recipe

Footer

as seen in:

allrecipes logo

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
Accessibility Policy

Back To Top

Copyright © 2025 Untold Recipes By Nosheen

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.