There is a specific kind of Halloween night that lives only in memory. The candy bowl by the front door. Hocus Pocus on the TV for the third time that week. Something salty and sweet sitting in a bowl on the coffee table, and you keep reaching into it without thinking. This is that recipe. Halloween Chex Mix never gets old! It takes twenty minutes to make and it looks like Halloween in a bowl. Candy corn is in it and it belongs there…I won’t be changing my mind (haha!). Make it on the first cold night of October, put on a good movie, and don’t think too hard about how much you’re eating. That’s the whole plan.
Halloween Chex Mix
Serves 12 — or fewer, no judgment here
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Chex
- 3 cups Corn Chex
- 2 cups pretzel twists
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1½ cups white chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Orange food coloring
- Purple food coloring
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles
- 1 cup candy corn
- 1 cup orange and black M&Ms
Instructions
1. Mix the base
In a large bowl combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, pretzels, and peanuts. Toss well and set aside. Don’t add the candy yet — it’ll melt when the chocolate hits it.
2. Melt the chocolate
In a microwave safe bowl combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. This takes about 90 seconds total. Don’t rush it or the chocolate will seize.
3. Add the color
Divide the melted chocolate into two bowls. Add orange food coloring to one and purple to the other. Stir until the color is even. You’re going for jack-o-lantern orange and deep Halloween purple.
4. Coat the mix
Pour both colors over the Chex base and toss quickly to coat everything. Work fast — the chocolate sets up faster than you think. Don’t stress about making it perfect. The marbled look is part of the charm.
5. Spread and set
Spread the coated mix onto a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Immediately sprinkle with sea salt and Halloween sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet.
6. Let it set
Let the mix sit at room temperature until the chocolate is fully hardened, about 30 minutes. If your kitchen is warm pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes instead.
7. Add the candy and serve
Once set, break the mix into chunks and transfer to a large bowl. Add the candy corn and M&Ms and toss everything together. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week — if it lasts that long.
A few notes:
Swap the peanuts for sunflower seeds if you’re dealing with allergies. Add Reese’s Pieces for extra peanut butter vibes. Cocoa Chex works great in place of one of the other cereals if you want a chocolatey base. This recipe doubles easily for parties.
The candy corn debate: yes it’s in here. No I will not be removing it. It belongs.