Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
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Packed with an irresistible combination of sweet and salty ingredients, you won’t be able to stop at just one handful of this sweet and salty Fall snack mix. Make a batch for your next Halloween party, family movie nights or any time you’re craving a special treat.
I’m digging deep in the vault for today’s recipe. It may be an oldie, but I promise it’s still a goodie. I don’t know about you but sweet and salty snack mixes are my kryptonite. I find the savory and sweet flavor combination soooo addicting.
A handful of sweet. Then a handful of salty. Then a handful of sweet and salty together. All day long.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
The unique coating on this easy fall snack is similar to what you find on caramel corn, but the texture is a little “airier”. It’s just the right amount of coating and flavor to bring all the ingredients together into a cohesive mix.
You’ll find yourself going back for “just one more handful” again. And again. And again. Until it’s all gone. So go ahead and make a double batch (don’t say I didn’t warn you!).
If you like snack mixes as much as my family does, be sure to try these easy recipes: bunny bait, Christmas crunch, reindeer mix, gingerbread Chex mix and air fryer Chex mix.
Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix Ingredients
This recipe is a little different than your everyday snack mix. I’m a fan of Chex Mix but sometimes you need to change things up. It’s made with a combination of popcorn, peanut butter crackers, peanuts, M&M’s and candy corn. And the coating uses pantry staples you most likely already have on hand.
- Popcorn – we like to use butter flavor in this recipe
- Miniature peanut butter crackers – look for the Ritz bits ones
- Dry roasted peanuts
- M&Ms – we used the Halloween-colored Ghoul blend
- Candy corn – a classic candy for fall season treats
- Coating ingredients: butter, light corn syrup, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, baking soda
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sweet and Salty Snack Mix
Heat your oven to 250 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet with butter, or line it with a sheet of parchment paper and lightly butter the parchment.
In a large bowl combine the popcorn, peanut butter crackers and peanuts and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, add the butter, corn syrup and sugar. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for 5 minutes.
Remove pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda and mix until smooth.
Pour the hot syrup over the popcorn mixture. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove pan from oven and break the mix apart while it’s still warm. Let it cool completely, then stir in the M&Ms and candy corn. Toss to combine and it’s ready to serve.
Tips for Making the Fall Snack Mix Recipe
- Make sure you’re using fresh popcorn and crackers for the best crunch.
- Remove any unpopped popcorn kernels before starting.
- Mix gently – it’s better to fold the mixture, rather than stirring hard, so you don’t break or crush the popped corn or crackers.
- Wait until the mix has completely cooled before adding the candies so the colors don’t smear.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- For maximum peanut butter flavor, use Reese’s Pieces in place of the M&Ms.
- Pretzels can be added for more crunch.
- This snack mix can be made for other holidays and occasions – just swap out the M&M blend and candy corn for other seasonal candies. A snack mix this good deserves to be served more than once a year.
Serving Ideas For Salty Sweet Halloween Snack Mix
While you may be tempted to keep this mix to yourself, it would be a shame not to share. It’s a fun addition to my Halloween charcuterie board.
And this tasty treat is perfect for Halloween parties, harvest parties, tailgating parties, and birthday parties, or any time your people need a little snack, so make a batch for your next gathering.
You can also package the Halloween Snack Mix in holiday cello bags for a take home treat for parties. Be sure to inquire about peanut allergies before handing out the treats.
How to Store Leftover Snack Mix
Fully cool the snack mix before storing in an airtight container on the counter. It will keep for up to 1 week, if it lasts that long (highly unlikely – lol!).
Can I make this fall snack mix ahead of time?
Yes! This Halloween snack mix can be made several days in advance. Store the prepared mix in an airtight container at room temperature.
Just a heads-up – you may want to hide the container to keep from nibbling until it’s gone. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
More Halloween Recipes…
- Mummy Dogs (Air Fryer & Oven)
- Mummy Jalapeno Poppers (Air Fryer & Oven)
- Halloween Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- 70 Halloween Party Recipes
This recipe was originally published on 10/19/18.
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Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 6 cups butter flavor popped popcorn
- 8.8 ounce box miniature peanut butter crackers, (Ritz Bits)
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- ½ cup butter, plus a little extra for greasing the pan
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 11 ounce bag of Halloween colors plain M&M’s
- 11 ounce bag of candy corn
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Prepare a large cookie sheet by greasing it liberally with butter. Alternatively, line the cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease the paper with butter.
- Mix the popcorn, crackers and peanuts in a large bowl. Set aside.6 cups butter flavor popped popcorn, 8.8 ounce box miniature peanut butter crackers, 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- Combine the butter, corn syrup and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stirring constantly, continue cooking for 5 minutes.½ cup butter, ½ cup light corn syrup, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Add vanilla and baking soda and stir to combine (mixture will bubble). Mix well.2 tablespoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pour the sugar mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat ingredients.
- Pour onto prepared pan and bake at 250 degrees F for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes remove the pan from the oven and stir.
- Break mixture apart while it's still warm. Once cooled, add the M&M’s and candy corn. Toss to mix.11 ounce bag of Halloween colors plain M&M’s, 11 ounce bag of candy corn
Notes
- Remove any unpopped kernels from the popcorn before starting.
- This recipe can be made several days in advance.
- You can change out the candies and make this snack mix for other holidays and occasions.
- Store snack mix in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
Your snack looks delicious, I love the salty and sweet mix! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks for stopping by, Miz Helen!
This looks amazing…. And no
spiders?! It’s a yummy treat.