Introduction

Oh, fall! There’s just something magical about this time of year, isn’t there? The crisp air, the colorful leaves, and of course, all those amazing flavors. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already thinking about Halloween treats! This Pumpkin Spice Halloween Chex Mix is my absolute go-to when those cravings hit. It’s ridiculously easy, smells heavenly while it bakes, and it’s always a massive hit with everyone from toddlers to grown-ups. Seriously, it’s like a cozy hug in a bowl!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lightning Fast Prep: You can whip this up in a flash, perfect for when unexpected guests drop by or you need a last-minute treat.
So Simple, Anyone Can Make It: No fancy techniques needed here! If you can stir, you can make this.
The Ultimate Giftable Treat: Package it up in cute Halloween bags or jars, and you’ve got instant, homemade gifts that people will adore.
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet, salty, spiced, and crunchy – it’s got all the textures and flavors that make everyone happy.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful Halloween snack:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted: This is the rich base that brings everything together.
1 cup packed brown sugar: For that lovely caramel-y sweetness and a hint of molasses.
3 tablespoons pumpkin spice: The star of the show! This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves is pure fall magic.
2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting aroma and depth of flavor.
1 (12 oz) box cinnamon Chex cereal: The perfect crispy foundation, with a hint of cinnamon already built in!
1 (12 oz) box Honey Nut Chex cereal: For a touch of honey-sweetness and that satisfying crunch.
4 cups pretzels: Because every great sweet and salty mix needs pretzels! Their twisty shape is fun too.
1 (21 oz) bag autumn/harvest candy mix, or plain candy corn: This is where the Halloween fun really kicks in! The colorful candies add a festive flair and a chewy surprise.

How to Make It

Let’s get this party started! Grab your apron, and let’s make some magic:

Preheat & Prep: First things first, preheat your oven to a low 250°F (120°C). This gentle heat is key to getting that perfect coating without burning. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper – this makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking.
The Flavor Base: In a big bowl (the bigger the better for mixing!), whisk together the melted butter, packed brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and vanilla extract. Make sure it’s all blended into a smooth, fragrant mixture. It should smell amazing already!
Coat Everything: Now, pour in your cinnamon Chex, Honey Nut Chex, and pretzels. Grab a spatula or a large spoon and gently stir everything together. You want to make sure every single piece gets a nice, even coating of that delicious spiced butter mixture. Don’t be too rough, we want those Chex pieces to stay mostly intact!
Spread it Out: Divide the coated mixture evenly between your two prepared baking sheets. Spread it out into a single layer. This ensures everything bakes evenly.
The Bake: Pop those baking sheets into your preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour. About halfway through (around the 30-minute mark), give the mix a gentle stir right on the baking sheets. This helps everything get perfectly toasted and coated.
Add the Sparkle: As soon as you take the Chex mix out of the oven, while it’s still warm, sprinkle the autumn candy mix or candy corn over the top. Give it another gentle stir. The residual heat will help the candies soften just a tiny bit and stick to the mix.
Cool Down: This is the hardest part – waiting! Let the Chex mix cool completely on the baking sheets. Resist the urge to poke at it! As it cools, it will crisp up beautifully.
Break It Up: Once totally cool, you might find some larger clumps have formed. Gently break those apart into more manageable pieces.

Substitutions & Additions

Want to put your own spin on this? You absolutely can!

Cereal Swap: If you can’t find cinnamon or Honey Nut Chex, feel free to use plain Corn Chex or even a crispy rice cereal. Just adjust the pumpkin spice slightly if you’re not using a spiced cereal.
Nutty Addition: Toss in a couple of cups of spiced nuts like pecans or walnuts during step 3 for an extra layer of crunch and flavor.
Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra decadent touch, once the Chex mix is completely cool, you can drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over it.
White Chocolate Drizzle: Melted white chocolate with a touch of orange food coloring makes for a super festive Halloween drizzle.
More Spice? If you’re a serious pumpkin spice lover, feel free to add an extra teaspoon or two to the butter mixture.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to ensure your Chex mix is absolutely perfect:

Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye on it. Since the oven is low, it’s hard to burn, but you don’t want it to get too dark.
Even Coating is Key: Really try to coat all the cereal and pretzels well in step 3. This is where all that delicious flavor comes from.
Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Seriously, don’t skip this. It makes life so much easier when it’s time to clean up.
Prep Ahead: You can easily make this a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container. The flavors actually meld even more overnight!

How to Store It

Keep your delicious Pumpkin Spice Halloween Chex Mix fresh by storing it in an airtight container or resealable bags at room temperature. It should stay wonderfully crunchy for about 1-2 weeks. I’ve never had it last that long, though – it’s just too good!

FAQs

Got a few questions? I’ve got answers!

Can I make this without candy corn?: Absolutely! If candy corn isn’t your thing, you can use other small, colorful candies like M&M’s (especially the seasonal ones) or even just stick to the Chex and pretzels with the pumpkin spice coating. Just add them after baking, as they might melt differently.
Why is the oven temperature so low?: The low temperature is crucial for allowing the butter mixture to coat and toast the cereal and pretzels without burning them. It helps everything get wonderfully crispy and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Can I make this dairy-free?: You sure can! Simply substitute the unsalted butter with a good quality dairy-free butter substitute. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free.

Pumpkin Spice Halloween Chex Mix

This Pumpkin Spice Halloween Chex Mix is ridiculously easy, smells heavenly while it bakes, and it's always a massive hit with everyone from toddlers to grown-ups. It's like a cozy hug in a bowl!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Equipment

Oven Preheat to 250°F (120°C)
Baking sheets Two large baking sheets
Parchment paper
Large bowl The bigger the better for mixing!
Whisk
Spatula
Large spoon
Airtight container
resealable bags

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter melted, 2 sticks
1 cup brown sugar packed
3 tablespoons pumpkin spice
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 12 oz box cinnamon Chex cereal
1 12 oz box Honey Nut Chex cereal
4 cups pretzels
1 21 oz bag autumn/harvest candy mix or plain candy corn

Instructions

Preheat your oven to a low 250°F (120°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a big bowl, whisk together the melted butter, packed brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and vanilla extract.
1 cup unsalted butter
Pour in your cinnamon Chex, Honey Nut Chex, and pretzels. Gently stir everything together to ensure every piece gets a nice, even coating.
1 cup unsalted butter
Divide the coated mixture evenly between your two prepared baking sheets and spread it out into a single layer.
Bake for 1 hour. About halfway through (around the 30-minute mark), give the mix a gentle stir right on the baking sheets.
As soon as you take the Chex mix out of the oven, while it's still warm, sprinkle the autumn candy mix or candy corn over the top and give it another gentle stir.
1 cup unsalted butter
Let the Chex mix cool completely on the baking sheets.
Once totally cool, gently break apart any larger clumps into more manageable pieces.

Notes

This Chex mix can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually meld even more overnight!