My Christmas Eve tradition started by accident—one frantic year when I realized too late I’d forgotten to make cookies for Santa. I threw together what I had in the pantry: cereal, pretzels, nuts, and that last bit of holiday chocolate. The sweet and salty holiday snack mix that came out of the oven (barely cooled before we bundled it up for Santa) became our family’s new must-have treat. Now I make triple batches every December because everyone—from kids to grandparents—goes crazy for that perfect balance of crunchy, salty, and fight-over-the-last-piece sweet.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix Recipe

Oh, where do I even start? This snack mix is my holiday superhero—it swoops in when I need something fast, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear from the snack table. Here’s why it’s a keeper:

Whipped up in minutes: Just toss, bake, and done—no fancy skills needed!
Totally customizable: Swap in whatever nuts, cereal, or chocolate you’ve got lurking in your pantry.
Crowd-pleasing magic: The sweet-salty combo hooks everyone, from picky kids to snack-sneaking uncles.
Makes your house smell like holidays: Cinnamon + toasty nuts = instant cozy vibes.

Trust me, this mix will become your go-to for parties, gifts, and late-night Netflix binges.

Ingredients for Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix

Here’s the beauty of this recipe—you probably have most of this stuff already! But let me tell you exactly what makes my favorite version sing:

4 cups cereal: Chex works great, but Corn Flakes or even Cheerios add fun texture
2 cups nuts: I use whatever’s around—peanuts give that classic ballpark vibe, but almonds or cashews feel fancier
1 cup mini pretzels: The tiny twists hold onto that sweet coating perfectly
1 cup chocolate bits: M&Ms won’t melt when mixed in, but chocolate chips get all gooey—your call!
6 tbsp butter: Melted (I zap it in the microwave and always forget to cover it—splash alert!)
3 tbsp brown sugar: Pack it in that measuring spoon like you mean it
1 tbsp cinnamon: The holiday smell that’ll have neighbors knocking
1 tsp vanilla: The secret whisper of flavor
1/2 tsp salt: Trust me, you need this to balance the sweet

See? Nothing weird—just pantry staples ready to party together!

How to Make Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix

Okay, let’s get mixing! This couldn’t be simpler—I’ve burned enough batches to know exactly where shortcuts go wrong. Follow these steps for foolproof snack mix every time.

Step 1: Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients

First things first: crank that oven to 250°F (120°C). Low and slow is the secret to crispy-not-burnt goodness. Grab your biggest mixing bowl—I use my ancient popcorn bowl that holds about 12 cups—and dump in the cereal, nuts, and pretzels. Give them a quick toss so everything’s friends before the saucy magic happens.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

Now for the glue that holds this party together! Melt your butter (careful, it splatters!), then whisk in the brown sugar until it’s dissolved. That’s when I add the cinnamon, vanilla, and salt—whisking like crazy until it smells like Christmas morning. Pro tip: taste the mixture! Want more spice? Add a pinch more cinnamon. Too sweet? A dash of salt balances it perfectly.

Step 3: Bake and Stir

Pour that glorious butter mixture over your dry ingredients and mix until every piece shines. Spread it on a parchment-lined baking sheet—trust me, parchment saves cleanup headaches. Bake for 1 hour total, but here’s the crucial part: stir every 15 minutes! I set my phone timer because forgetting leads to sad, unevenly coated bits in the corners.

Step 4: Add Chocolate and Cool

When the mix comes out golden and fragrant, resist the urge to toss in chocolate immediately! Let it cool completely first—I spread mine on wax paper for about 20 minutes. Adding chocolate too soon turns your M&Ms into sad, melty blobs. Once cool, mix in your chocolate, then try not to eat the whole batch while “testing for quality control.”

Tips for the Perfect Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix

After years of tweaking this recipe (and a few hilarious kitchen disasters), I’ve nailed down the tricks that take this mix from good to “hide-the-bag-from-my-kids” great:

Parchment paper is your BFF: No more scrubbing caramelized sugar off baking sheets!
Taste as you go: Too sweet? Add a pinch more salt. Want heat? A dash of cayenne wakes up the flavors.
Cool completely before storing: Trapped steam turns crisp bits soggy—I learned this the hard way.
Double the batch: Trust me, you’ll regret not making extra when it disappears in 10 minutes flat.

Oh, and pro tip: stash a secret bag in your nightstand. Holiday survival 101!

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

The best part? This mix welcomes whatever you’ve got! Out of pretzels? Toss in some popcorn or ers instead. My cousin swaps nuts for dried cranberries (her kids are allergic), and honestly? The tart pop works beautifully. Try these easy twists:

Chocolate lovers: White chocolate chips or crushed peppermint bark
Gluten-free: GF pretzels and certified cereal
Extra crunch: Add toasted coconut flakes or sesame sticks
Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or pumpkin pie spice

Seriously—no wrong answers here. My weirdest combo? Cheerios, wasabi peas, and yogurt-covered raisins. Don’t knock it till you try it!

Serving and Storing Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix

Here’s how I keep this addictive mix tasting fresh (and hide it from snack thieves): Scoop it into cute holiday tins or cellophane bags for gifts—about 1 cup per person makes perfect portions. At home, I stash it in airtight containers (my giant cookie jar works great!). It stays crispy for up to 2 weeks… if it lasts that long! Pro tip: layer it between parchment in gift bags to prevent breakage.

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in each delicious handful (based on my standard recipe): about 180 calories per half-cup serving with 10g fat and 8g sugar. Remember—nutrition varies based on your specific ingredients and brands. These numbers are just estimates to help you snack smart! These numbers are just estimates to help you snack smart!

FAQs About Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix

Can I make this snack mix ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I always make mine at least a day before—the flavors blend even better. Just wait to add the chocolate until right before serving so it stays fresh and crunchy.

How long does holiday snack mix stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, it keeps for up to 2 weeks (though mine never lasts that long!). If your house is humid, toss in a silica packet to prevent sogginess. If your house is humid, toss in a silica packet to prevent sogginess.

Can I use different cereals?
Please do! Chex is classic, but I’ve used everything from Rice Krispies to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Just avoid super-sugary cereals—they can burn during baking. Just avoid super-sugary cereals—they can burn during baking.

Is this snack mix freezer-friendly?
Surprisingly yes! Freeze it in zip-top bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour before serving—the chocolate might get a little dull, but the taste stays perfect.

What’s the best way to package it for gifts?
I use clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or repurpose clean mason jars. Include a cute tag with heating instructions—a quick 5-minute warm-up in the oven makes it smell freshly baked again!

Share Your Creation!

I’d love to see your sweet and salty masterpieces! Tag me on Instagram @[yourhandle] or leave a comment below with your favorite mix-ins. Did your family fight over the last handful? (Mine always does!) Happy snacking, friends—now go make some holiday magic!

Irresistible Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix Recipe

Author: Zach
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Yield: 8 cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and easy snack mix combining sweet and salty flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups cereal (such as Chex or pretzels)
2 cups nuts (peanuts, almonds, or cashews)
1 cup mini pretzels
1 cup chocolate chips or M&Ms
6 tbsp butter, melted
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
In a large bowl, mix cereal, nuts, and pretzels.
In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients and toss until evenly coated.
Spread mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Let cool, then mix in chocolate chips or M&Ms.
Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Swap ingredients based on preference—try dried fruit or different nuts.
Adjust sweetness by increasing or reducing sugar.
For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Category: Snack
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: holiday snack mix, sweet and salty snack, party mix, easy holiday recipe