This Caramel Chex Mix is similar to one a boss of mine used to make years ago. Every time she made it, we asked for the recipe, but I somehow lost it.
I never stopped thinking about it, and after experimenting, I finally came up with a recipe that’s very similar and gets the same reaction from people. There’s something about the crunch and caramel together that makes it impossible to stop eating once you start.
Since then, I’ve brought it to birthday parties, game nights, and even just casual weeknight treat sessions at home. It always disappears fast, and I love that I can make it in advance and pull it out when I need it.
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Is Caramel Chex Mix gluten-free?
Yes, this Caramel Chex Mix is naturally gluten-free because both Rice Chex and Corn Chex contain no gluten. You can enjoy it without worry if you have a gluten sensitivity or are serving someone who does.
All the other ingredients in this recipe are also free from gluten, making it a safe choice for many dietary needs. This makes it a perfect allergy-friendly snack to bring to gatherings, potlucks, or family get-togethers.
That said, you know manufacturers change ingredients without warning. Always check the ingredient list on the boxes before you make it just in case.
What is the best way to store Caramel Chex Mix?
Store your Caramel Chex Mix in an airtight container or a zip-top bag with the extra air pressed out. You don’t want it exposed to air, as that will make it lose its crunch.
Keep it in a cool, dry spot, and don’t refrigerate it. It will stay fresh and crunchy for two to three weeks.
How do I prevent Caramel Chex Mix from getting soggy?
Again, don’t refrigerate Caramel Chex Mix. The humidity in the fridge will make the caramel coating sticky and the cereal soggy.
On very humid days, make sure to seal the container tightly as soon as the mix fully cools. Moisture is the enemy of the crunch, so taking this extra step keeps every piece crisp and ensures the mix stays delicious for sharing or munching straight from the bowl.
Is it possible to freeze Caramel Chex Mix?
You can freeze Caramel Chex Mix if you want to make it last longer or stop yourself from eating it all at once. Just wait until the mix has fully cooled, then pack it into a heavy-duty freezer bag so it stays fresh and crunchy.
It will keep in the freezer for three to four months and won’t get rock hard. You can munch on it straight from the freezer for a cold, crunchy snack, or let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes to bring it back to room temperature.
How should I handle extra cereal if I make a smaller batch?
This Caramel Chex Mix is perfect for parties or everyday snacking, and it always makes a big batch. You can halve the recipe if you want, but that does leave you with two half boxes of cereal because it isn’t the same if you use all of one type of cereal.
If you end up with extra cereal, you can turn it into something delicious instead of letting it sit in the pantry. My Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars, Double Chocolate Peppermint Cereal Bars, and S’mores Cereal Bars all work great with leftover cereal and give you an easy way to make another sweet treat.
How to Make Caramel Chex Mix
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees, and grease a large roasting pan well with non-stick spray. Pour both boxes of cereal into the prepared pan and spread them out evenly.
Melt the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a steady boil, and let it bubble for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the baking soda and vanilla right away. The mixture will foam and lighten in color, so make sure your pot is large enough to handle the expansion.
Immediately pour the foamy caramel mixture over the cereal in the roasting pan. Stir gently with a large spatula to thoroughly coat the cereal without breaking the pieces.
Bake the mix for three hours, carefully removing it from the oven and stirring it every 20 minutes. The low temperature allows the coating to crisp slowly and develop the perfect crunch.
Spread the warm Chex mix onto wax paper or parchment paper to let it cool completely. Break apart any clumps as it cools, and store the mix in an airtight container once it is fully dry.
Caramel Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Corn Chex (1 box)
- 12 ounces Rice Chex (1 box)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, and grease a large roasting pan with non-stick spray. Pour both boxes of cereal into the pan and spread evenly.12 ounces Corn Chex, 12 ounces Rice Chex
- Melt the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups light brown sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Remove from heat and whisk in the baking soda and vanilla immediately. The mixture will foam and lighten, so use a large enough pot.1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the foamy syrup over the cereal and stir gently to coat it evenly.
- Bake for 3 hours, removing from the oven and stirring every 20 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even drying.
- Spread the mix onto wax or parchment paper to cool completely. Break apart any clumps and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- This Caramel Chex Mix is very shelf-stable because the long, low-temperature baking process removes most of the moisture, essentially turning the coating into a hard candy shell.
- This is a naturally gluten-free recipe, as both Rice Chex and Corn Chex are gluten-free. All the other ingredients have no gluten, so this is a great allergy-friendly snack mix to make to bring to gatherings and potlucks.
- For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.
Nutrition
This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.
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My family loved this!