As the leaves turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice. But let’s be honest, pumpkin spice lattes are great, but sometimes you crave something a little more…substantial. Enter: Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix! This isn’t your average trail mix. We’re talking a delightful blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and warmly spiced goodness that’s perfect for cozy nights in, fall gatherings, or just a little something to satisfy those autumnal cravings. It’s ridiculously easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to disappear quickly. Get ready to embrace the season with every bite!
Why You’ll Love This
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of pumpkin spice, maple syrup, and a touch of salt creates a truly addictive flavor profile.
- Easy to Make: Seriously, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
- Customizable: Swap out ingredients to suit your preferences! Don’t like pretzels? Use chex mix. Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts work beautifully.
- Perfect for Fall: It’s the ultimate fall snack – cozy, comforting, and full of seasonal flavor.
- Great for Gifting: Package it up in a cute jar or bag and it makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Chex cereal (Rice, Corn, or a mix)
- 2 cups Pretzels (broken into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup Pecans (or walnuts, almonds)
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/4 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 3 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 2 tablespoons Melted Butter
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Equipment:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper (optional, for easy cleanup)
- Microwave-safe bowl (for melting butter)
- Whisk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (optional).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, pretzels, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries.
- Make the Spice Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Coat the Mix: Pour the spice coating over the dry ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Bake: Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until fragrant and slightly toasted.
- Add White Chocolate: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with white chocolate chips. Gently toss to distribute the chocolate. The residual heat will melt the chips slightly.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let the snack mix cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can make the pretzels and cereal stale. Keep a close eye on it and remove it from the oven as soon as it’s fragrant.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of pumpkin pie spice to your liking. If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon.
- Chocolate Options: Feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips instead of white chocolate.
- Nut Allergy? Omit the pecans and pumpkin seeds, or substitute with sunflower seeds or other seed options.
- Even Coating: For the most even coating, work in batches if your bowl is small.
Storing Leftovers
Store the Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. It’s best to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent the chocolate from melting. While it’s unlikely to last that long (it’s *that* good!), it will maintain its crunch and flavor for several days.
PrintPumpkin Spice Snack Mix
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This sweet and crunchy pumpkin spice snack mix is perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or anytime you want a festive autumn treat.
Ingredients
9 cups crunchy rice or corn squares cereal (such as Chexâ„¢)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 packet Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball Mix, divided
1/2 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 275°F. Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave for 30–45 seconds.
3. Stir in about half of the Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball Mix into the melted butter until well combined.
4. Pour the butter mixture over the cereal and toss to coat thoroughly.
5. Sprinkle the brown sugar and remaining Pumpkin Spice Cheese Ball Mix over the cereal. Toss again to coat well.
6. Spread the mixture into an even layer on a parchment-lined large rimmed baking sheet.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through the baking time.
8. Remove from oven, allow to cool completely, and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Makes 18 servings of 1/2 cup each. Feel free to add extras like candy corn, pretzels, or nuts after baking for added flavor and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 170
- Fat: 5.5
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 13