Dessert

Cinnamon Sugar Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe

BySimon Carel December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

Introduction

This Cinnamon Sugar Sweet and Salty Chex Mix is the perfect snack for any occasion, blending crunchy cereals, nuts, and pretzels with a warm cinnamon-sugar coating. It’s easy to make and irresistibly tasty, balancing sweet and salty flavors in every bite.

The image shows a large mix of snack pieces spread on a white marbled surface with a wooden spoon full of the mixture in the center. The mix has several layers of small square cereal pieces in light golden brown and dark brown shades, round cereal pieces that are golden and covered lightly with sugar, and thin, crunchy pretzel sticks in reddish-brown color. All the pieces have a sugary, cinnamon-like coating giving them a speckled, slightly rough texture. The wooden spoon in the middle holds a generous scoop of the mix, with the different shapes and colors overlapping naturally. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups Corn Chex
2 cups Cheerios
1 cup Wheat Chex
2 cups mini or round saltine crackers
2 cups unsalted whole cashews
2 cups pretzel sticks
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F. Line a half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat, or use two smaller pans if necessary.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the Corn Chex, Cheerios, Wheat Chex, pretzels, crackers, and cashews.
Step 3: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 4: Stir the honey, vanilla extract, and kosher salt into the melted butter until well combined.
Step 5: Pour the honey butter mixture over the snack mix and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
Step 6: Spread the coated snack mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet(s).
Step 7: Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and stir the mix to ensure even cooking.
Step 8: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. Stir again.
Step 9: Bake for an additional 10 minutes, stirring once more afterward.
Step 10: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
Step 11: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the warm snack mix, tossing to coat well.
Step 12: Bake the mix for a final 10 minutes to let the cinnamon sugar set.
Step 13: Remove from the oven and allow the mix to cool completely before serving.
Step 14: Store the cooled snack mix in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

Substitute almonds or peanuts for cashews to change the nutty flavor and texture.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a subtle spicy kick.
Use honey or maple syrup based on your preferred sweetness and flavor profile.
For extra crunch, toast the nuts and pretzels briefly before mixing.

Storage

Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Keep it in a cool, dry place to maintain crispness. If it softens, you can refresh the mix by warming it in a low oven for a few minutes before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a snack mix made of many small pieces, including square and rectangular cereal pieces in light brown and dark brown colors, round cereal loops in golden brown, thin pretzel sticks in a reddish-brown shade, and square cheese crackers in pale yellow. The snack mix is coated with a layer of cinnamon sugar that glistens on all the pieces, giving a sparkling effect. A wooden spoon filled with this mix is placed near the center and slightly towards the top right, resting on a spread of more snack mix on a white marbled texture. The colors are warm and earthy, with the texture showing the crunchiness of the cereal and pretzels, and the sugary coating adds a rough, grainy detail. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted nuts and pretzels instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added kosher salt in the recipe to balance the saltiness and avoid an overly salty snack mix.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Replace the Cheerios, Wheat Chex, saltine crackers, and any other gluten-containing ingredients with certified gluten-free cereals and crackers to ensure the mix is safe for a gluten-free diet.