This crunchy mix of Rice Chex, Cheerios, Honeycombs, and pretzel sticks, all coated in a sweet and salty sauce, is absolutely irresistible! Sweet and Salty Trail Mix is super easy to make and perfect as an after-school snack, movie night, or a summer road trip!
There’s something magical about when sweet and salty come together. I mean, who can resist that perfect balance of flavors? Whether you’re in the mood for something sugary or craving a little salt, sweet and salty snacks hit the spot every single time, and I’ve got the perfect easy snack recipe that balances it all!
This sweet and salty snack mix is a crunchy blend of Rice Chex, Cheerios, Honeycomb, and pretzel sticks coated in a delicious sweet and salty sauce made with sugar, soy sauce, butter, and a hint of garlic powder. The flavors and textures just work so well together, and it’s super customizable. You can toss in your favorite nuts, candies, or even different cereals to make it your own.
Sweet and savory snack mix is a lifesaver for road trips, after-school snacks, party favors, a camping snack, or even a neighbor or hostess gift. As a mom, I love having a batch ready to go because it’s a hit with everyone. Just bag it up, and it’s ready to go! Trust me, you’ll want to keep this mix on hand for all those snacking emergencies!
It’s incredibly easy to make, so you can whip up a batch quickly and enjoy a delicious snack whenever you need it.
The combination of sweet and salty flavors, along with the satisfying crunch, knocks it out of the park for everyone. You’ll want to double or triple the recipe!
It’s highly customizable! You can add your favorite nuts, candies, or other cereals to create your perfect mix.
It stores well in airtight containers or baggies, so you can always have a tasty snack ready to go.
Rice Chex – These crispy squares are the base of the mix, adding a light and airy crunch that soaks up all that delicious sauce.
Cheerios – Classic O’s bring a mild sweetness and a unique texture that pairs perfectly with the other cereals.
Honeycomb Cereal – These big, honey-flavored pieces add a hint of sweetness and a bit of bulk with a fun shape to the mix.
Pretzel Sticks – Adds a satisfying salty crunch and a different shape to keep each bite interesting.
Sugar – This is the sweet part of our sweet and salty combo, making the mix sugary and tasty without overpowering it.
Vegetable Oil – Helps coat all the ingredients evenly with the sauce and contributes to the crunch.
Butter – Adds a rich, creamy flavor that enhances the overall taste and helps everything stick together.
Soy Sauce – This is where the salty magic happens, balancing out the sweetness perfectly with a bit of umami flavor.
Garlic Powder – A little savory touch that makes the flavors pop and adds depth to the mix.
Kosher Salt – Enhances all the flavors and gives that extra salty kick that makes the mix so addictive.
Using a mixer for this recipe is a total game-changer! While you could definitely use a whisk to mix the sauce, it takes a lot of elbow grease to get that sugar fully dissolved into the oil and butter. With a stand mixer, you can just set it and forget it for 10 minutes, letting the mixer do all the hard work for you. It’s such a time-saver and makes the whole process so much easier. Plus, it frees you up to prepare the cereals and pretzels.
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 275°F. Grab a roasting pan or jelly roll pan with edges, and set it aside.
Combine the cereals and pretzels: In a very large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex, Cheerios, Honeycomb cereal, and pretzel sticks. Give it a good stir so everything is nicely combined.
Make the sweet and salty sauce: In another large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), add the sugar, vegetable oil, melted butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Blend the ingredients for about 10 minutes until the sugar dissolves into the oil and butter.
Coat the mix: Pour the sweet and salty sauce over the cereal and pretzel mixture. Use a spatula or your hands (it’s more fun!) to mix everything together, making sure each piece is well-coated.
Transfer to the pan: Spread the coated mix evenly onto your prepared roasting pan or jelly roll pan. You might need two pans if it doesn’t all fit.
Bake and stir: Bake the mix at 275°F for 75 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. This helps everything cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
Cool and store: Once baked, let the mix cool completely. Store it in airtight containers or gallon-size Ziploc bags to keep it fresh and ready for snacking!
Make sure to use a large enough bowl for mixing the cereals and pretzels to avoid any spills and to make sure you have enough room for an even coating.
Mixing the sauce for a full 10 minutes is key. It helps dissolve the sugar completely, giving the mix that perfect sweet and salty flavor.
If you’re using a hand mixer, start on a low speed, then gradually increase to medium.
Use a silicone spatula or your hands to mix the cereal and sauce. it helps to get every piece coated without breaking the cereal.
Spread the mix in an even layer on the baking pan to make sure all pieces bake evenly and get nice and crispy.
Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is crucial asit prevents any pieces from getting soggy and gives the mix a uniform crunch.
If you don’t have a roasting pan, use two jelly roll pans to give the mix plenty of space to bake evenly.
Let the mix cool completely on the baking pan before transferring it to storage containers to maintain its crunchiness.
Don’t overcrowd the baking pans – giving the mix room to breathe helps it crisp up better.
The beauty of this snack mix is that you can change it up each time based on what you have on hand, what your family loves, or which occasion you’re celebrating!
Peanuts
M&M’s
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Mini Marshmallows
Almonds
Raisins
Dried Cranberries
Chocolate Chips
Butterscotch Chips
Peanut Butter Chips
Sunflower Seeds
Cashews
Dried Blueberries
Candy Corn
Yogurt-covered Pretzels
Coconut Flakes
Pumpkin Seeds
Toffee Bits
Reese’s Pieces
Pistachios
Granola
Pretzel M&M’s
Caramel Popcorn
Dried Apricots
Chocolate-covered Raisins
Cheddar Crackers
Banana Chips
Gummy Bears
Skittles
White Chocolate Chips
To keep your snack mix from getting soggy, make sure to let it cool completely after baking before storing it. Once cooled, transfer the mix to airtight containers or gallon-size Ziploc bags to lock in freshness and maintain its crunch. Avoid storing it in a humid environment or placing it in the fridge, as moisture can sneak in and make the mix lose its crispiness. Keeping the mix at room temperature in a cool, dry place will make sure it stays perfectly crunchy and delicious for days.
Can I use different types of cereal in this mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams, or even Corn Flakes. Just make sure to keep the total amount of cereal the same to ensure the sauce coats everything evenly.
How do I know when the Chex Mix is done baking?
You’ll know it’s ready when the cereal pieces are golden brown and crispy. Stir every 15 minutes to check the progress and prevent any pieces from burning.
Can I make this mix ahead of time?
Yes, you can definitely make this mix ahead of time. Just store it in airtight containers once it’s completely cooled, and it will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.
Easy to make Sweet and Salty Chex Mix recipe combining a mix of cereals. Rice Chex, Cheerios, Honeycomb and pretzels covered in a sweet and salty sauce made of soy sauce, sugar and garlic. Always a huge hit!
1 box Corn or Rice Chex
1 box Cheerios
1 box Honeycomb cereal
1 bag pretzel sticks
1 and 3/4 cups sugar
1 and 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 and 1/4 cups butter, melted
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
– This recipe makes a large amount so you can always half the recipe.
– For the full recipe, it’s easy to split up the mixture onto 2 sheet pans/jelly roll pans for baking.
– Store in airtight containers. I like to use gallon size ziploc baggies.
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15 Responses
This is seriously the most addicting and delicious chex mix ever. I was hesitant with the soy sauce and garlic but omg…I’m loading up my target cart as we speak with more ingredients to make it for the 4th time in 2 weeks!
This is the sweetest comment! SO happy you like it as much as we do! It’s totally addicting and I love it! Making some more this weekend too! 🙂
So you just mix the wet ingredients in a bowl, no stove top heating?
Yes, correct. No stove top heating needed. Mix all the sauce ingredients together until it becomes thick and combined.
What do you think about subbing in some Worcestershire sauce for some of the soy? For more of the “classic” Chex mix flavor?
You could definitely do that. I haven’t tried it but maybe worth a try!
Haven’t made it yet, but I plan on making lots to hand out at Thanksgiving!
One of my favorites! I hope everyone loves it!
Is it 1&3/4 cup sugar or just 3/4? Same with vegetable oil and butter with the 1 in front?
That is confusing, I’ll change it now Thank you!
It’s 1 and 3/4 cups sugar
1 and 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 and 1/4 cups butter, melted
Thank you. I’m making it now for my book club party tomorrow. Appreciate you!
What size of cereal boxes are you using? This recipe looks interesting. Can’t wait to try it!
So excited for you to try it! I use the basic size (not family size or anything) Usually 10-12 ounces.
This snack mix is addicting!!! It’s my go to when I have any party or family vacation. I can always count on and empty bowl and someone asking for the recipe
We love this snack mix too! Thank you so much for letting me know, made my day!