Churro Chex Mix

Churro Chex Mix is an easy-to-make snack combining Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and pretzels with a buttery brown sugar coating, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and chewy caramel pieces. Ready in just over an hour, it’s perfect for parties, picnics, or a fun treat at home.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Churro Chex Mix Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 350kcal

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
6 cups rice Chex brand cereal
3 cups corn Chex brand cereal
2 cups pretzel sticks (if longer than 2-inches, break in half before adding)
1 cup salted butter, melted
⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
24 pieces Kraft brand caramels, unwrapped and cut into quarters (approximately 1 cup)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a large (18x26 inch) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix together in a small bowl the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
To a large bowl add the rice Chex cereal, corn Chex cereal, and pretzel sticks.
In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, light brown sugar and vanilla extract until the sugar has dissolved.
Pour the butter mixture over the cereal and pretzels and stir gently to combine without crushing the cereal.
Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon sugar over the butter coated cereal and gently toss to evenly coat all the cereal and pretzels with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread the mixture out into an even layer.
Bake in the center rack of the preheated oven for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and stir. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Stir then bake for a final 15 minutes, for a total bake time of 45 minutes. This method helps to ensure that all sides of the coated cereal are evenly crisped and does not burn.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the mixture to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before adding the quartered caramel candies. Gently toss to evenly distribute all the caramels into the cereal mixture.
Transfer the churro chex mix to a large bowl for immediate serving.

Notes

Rice, corn and wheat varieties of Chex brand cereal can be used. You can use only one variety or a combination of them all. You do not want to exceed a total of 9 cups of cereal for this recipe.
If your brand of pretzel sticks are not longer than 2 inches in length, you do not need to break them in half before adding them to the mixture. Some brands are 3-4 inches long and those would need to be broken in half before added. Any small variety of snack pretzel will work well in this mix.
Kraft brand makes a caramel bit that is sold in the baking aisle. These are little balls of caramel. You can substitute the quartered caramel squares with these if you do not want to take the time to unwrap and cut the squares. You will need approximately 1 cup of the bits if using them as a substitute.
If using unsalted butter, you will need to add ½ teaspoon fine sea salt to the melted butter mixture before pouring over the cereal and pretzels. The salt helps to balance the sweetness of the churro chex mix.
If you do not have a large (18x26 inch) rimmed baking sheet, also known as a full sheet pan, you can divide the mixture between two smaller parchment lined baking sheets. Be sure to rotate the pans in the oven when you take them out to stir to ensure even baking.

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