Easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix
Easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix is deliciously fun treat. A simple combination of Chex and Cheerios cereal, peanuts, and candy are tossed with a sweet coconut caramel glaze. The perfect snack to munch on when the craving strikes!
Looking for more snack ideas? Don’t miss my Caramel Popcorn Balls, Garlic Ranch Pretzels and Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles!
Chex mix recipes are a favorite of mine! You just can’t beat the simple, flavorful ingredients and endless combinations.
If sweet and salty is your thing, you’re going to love this coconut caramel snack mix. It’s loaded with crunchy cereal, nuts, candy, and an irresistible caramel coating.
This recipe is not only easy to customize, but also happens to be gluten-free. Whether you’re making it for a casual snack or a holiday party, it’s guaranteed to impress. In fact, serve it at Christmas or New Year’s, and it’ll be the star of the snack table, trust me!
Like most of my go-to recipes, this one is a breeze to whip up. It’s so good (and so easy), you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
Ingredients in Easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix:
This easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix is the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy goodness. Made with simple pantry staples like cereal, nuts, toasted coconut, and a rich caramel drizzle, it’s an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Rice Chex cereal
- Cinnamon Cheerios cereal
- Honey-roasted peanuts
- Toasted coconut chips
- Sliced almonds
- Unsalted butter
- Coconut sugar
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Mini M&M’s candies
How to Make:
Making this snack is simple and satisfying. Just coat your cereal and nut mixture in a homemade caramel sauce, bake until golden and crisp, then finish with a sprinkle of colorful M&M’s. It’s an easy treat that’s big on flavor and perfect for sharing.
- Preheat oven to 250° F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix Rice Chex, Cinnamon Cheerios, peanuts, coconut chips, and almonds. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add coconut sugar and heavy cream and whisk until sugar has dissolved.
- Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 7-8 minutes. The mixture will become darker in color, bubbly, and will smell like caramel.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Pour caramel mixture over cereal mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread snack mix evenly onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 30-45 minutes, stirring gently every 15 minutes.
- Let the snack mix cool slightly while still on the baking sheets, about 5 minutes. sprinkle mini M&M’s and caramel M&M’s over snack mix and toss gently to combine. Let cool completely, about 10 minutes.
How to Store This Chex Mix Recipe?
Store the snack mix at room temperature in a large, airtight container for up to four days.
What Are Substitutions That I Can Make?
In this recipe, I use coconut sugar for a deeper, more complex caramel sauce. You could substitute the coconut sugar with 1 cup brown sugar if desired. I would recommend keeping a close eye on the sauce since changing the sugar might change the cooking time slightly.
Make this snack mix your own by using your favorite cereals, nuts, and candies!
Can I Make This Caramel Chex Mix Ahead of Time?
Yes! This snack mix will stay crunchy for about 3 days and can be made a day or two in advance.
Where Do You Find Coconut Sugar?
I find coconut sugar at my local grocery store in the health food section. Most grocery stores should carry it, but it is also available to order through Amazon.
What if I Don’t Have Parchment Paper?
You can also line your baking sheets with aluminum foil.
Looking for More Sweet Snacks? I’ve Got You Covered!
- Cookies and Cream Popcorn
- Chocolate Cherry Granola Cups
- Peanut Butter Banana Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
Easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 11 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 4 cups Cinnamon Cheerios cereal
- 2 cups honey-roasted peanuts
- 1 cup toasted coconut chips
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups coconut sugar
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 3 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt, (I used pink Himalayan salt, but any kind will work)
- ⅔ cup mini M&M’s candies
- 1⅓ cups Caramel M&M’s candies
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Line two large baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix Rice Chex, Cinnamon Cheerios, peanuts, coconut chips, and almonds. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add coconut sugar and heavy cream and whisk until sugar has dissolved.
- Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 7-8 minutes. The mixture will become darker in color, bubbly, and will smell like caramel.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. (The coconut sugar makes this caramel sauce darker in color than other caramel sauces. It will not be very thick, which is what we want to make it easier to stir and coat all of the cereal mixture.) Pour caramel mixture over cereal mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread snack mix evenly onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 30-45 minutes, stirring gently every 15 minutes.
- Let the snack mix cool slightly while still on the baking sheets, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle mini M&M’s and caramel M&M’s over snack mix and toss gently to combine. Let cool completely, about 10 minutes.
Notes
- Store snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
- See my tips and tricks for making this Easy Coconut Caramel Snack Mix.
