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Easy Kid-Approved Fall Chex Mix with Maple Cinnamon

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This Kid-Approved Fall Chex Mix with Maple and Cinnamon is a sweet and salty snack mix that’s perfect for fall gatherings. It’s quick to make, uses simple ingredients, and is a crowd-pleaser that even self-proclaimed Chex Mix haters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex)
  • 1 cup whole almonds (raw, unsalted)
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1 cup pretzel twists (mini preferred)
  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas, raw and shelled)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed, light or dark)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. Line your large sheet pan with parchment paper.
  3. In your large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 9 cups Rice Chex cereal, 1 cup whole almonds, 1 cup pecan halves, 1 cup pretzel twists, and 1 cup pumpkin seeds. Gently toss everything together with your hands so the nuts and pretzels are evenly distributed. Break up any large pretzel pieces.
  4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Whisk continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth and bubbling gently—about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Be careful—it might sputter a bit.
  6. Pour the warm maple-butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape every last drop from the saucepan. Gently fold the mixture into the cereal using a large spoon or your hands (let it cool slightly first if using hands) until every piece is evenly coated.
  7. Spread the coated mixture onto your prepared sheet pan in an even layer. Don’t pile it too thick. If using two pans, divide the mixture evenly.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Set a timer and stir the mixture with a spatula each time to ensure even toasting.
  9. After 30 minutes, check for doneness. The mix should be fragrant, lightly golden, and feel dry to the touch. If it still feels sticky or soft, give it another 5-10 minutes.
  10. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the pan. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes—longer if possible.
  11. Once completely cool, break up any large clumps with your hands. Transfer to an airtight container or serve immediately.

Notes

For the crispiest results, let the mix cool completely before storing. If you seal it in a container while it’s still warm, the steam will make it soft and chewy. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt right after the mix comes out of the oven for a wonderful sweet-salty contrast. Don’t double the recipe in one pan—use two pans if making more. The maple and cinnamon flavors deepen over the first few days, so this mix tastes even better on day two or three.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall chex mix, maple cinnamon chex mix, kid-approved snack, easy snack mix, fall snack, sweet and salty snack

Find it online: https://evabake.com/easy-kid-approved-fall-chex-mix-with-maple-cinnamon/