The first time I made this Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix, my entire kitchen instantly smelled like fall—the warm spices, the caramel sweetness, and that toasty scent of cereal and pretzels baking together made the whole place feel cozy and nostalgic. I remember stirring the warm mixture and thinking how it reminded me of autumn festivals and crisp sweater weather. When I tasted the finished mix—sweet, salty, crunchy, and bursting with pumpkin spice—I knew I’d stumbled on a recipe I’d be making every year without fail.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it delivers everything you crave about fall in one addictive, crunchy handful. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty, requires almost zero effort, and always gets rave reviews—truly the kind of treat you’ll want to bring to gatherings, movie nights, and cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
- 2 cups pretzels
- 6 oz bag Caramel Bugles
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz bag Boo-terScotch M&M’s (or seasonal equivalent)
- 1 cup harvest candy mix (candy corn, pumpkins)
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces
You can adapt this mix based on season or preference—substitute any Chex variety you love, swap pretzels for waffle sticks or tiny twists, or replace Bugles with caramel corn if you can’t find them. The pumpkin spice is what makes this recipe shine, so don’t skip it, and always use fresh spices for maximum flavor. For the candy, choose whatever fall-themed mix you prefer; anything with chocolate or peanut butter blends beautifully here.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rubber spatula
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
A large bowl makes it easier to mix everything without ingredients spilling everywhere—I made that mistake once, and caramel Bugles went flying across my kitchen. Parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. The microwave-safe bowl is essential for melting the butter-sugar-spice mixture, and the spatula helps coat everything evenly without breaking the cereal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
When I make this Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix, the first thing I do is preheat my oven and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This not only prevents the mixture from sticking but also keeps cleanup quick. I pour the Chex, pretzels, and Bugles into a giant bowl, and I always take a moment to admire all the different shapes and textures. It’s a small thing, but seeing everything come together makes me feel like a kid mixing up my favorite snacks.(See the next page below to continue…)