Caramel Crispix Snack Mix (Sweet and Salty)

This Caramel Crispix Snack Mix is the ultimate sweet and salty party snack that disappears in minutes! With just 6 ingredients and a microwave, you can make this addictive treat in under 15 minutes. Perfect for game day, movie nights, or holiday gatherings—this easy snack mix feeds a crowd and always gets rave reviews.

Caramel Crispix Snack Mix is an easy finger-food recipe that can be made ahead of time and can feed a crowd. 

With minimal ingredients, a bag, and a microwave, you have a snack mix that’s quick to make and clean up is a breeze.

This Crispix mix is so addictively delicious that they’ll ask you NOT to bring it.

Have you ever been somewhere and ate something where you just couldn’t leave it alone and demanded the recipe before you left? I got this Addictive Caramel Crispix Snack Mix recipe just that way

Years ago at a school gathering, we got together with some of their classmate’s parents. One of the mothers made this Crispix Snack Mix and the rest is history.

I can’t say where she got it but it’s one of our favorite snack mixes and we’ve been making it for the last 20 years.

When we’re asked to bring something where finger-food is a must, this is the one we take.

This recipe for Crispix mix fills three rimmed baking sheets so will feed a crowd! And, it’s cooked in the microwave in a brown paper bag so there isn’t any mess! Let me show you how I did it.

How to make Caramel Crispix Snack Mix

Shopping List for Crispix Mix

• Crispix Cereal
• Peanuts – I like roasted with light salt
• M&M or other candy-coated chocolate
• Butter
• Brown sugar – I like dark but either will do
• Light corn syrup
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Two brown paper grocery sacks

Combine Crispix Party Mix Ingredients

1. Take two brown paper sacks and put one inside the other.
2. Pour in the Crispix cereal, the M&M candy, and peanuts.
3. Shake to combine

Caramel Sauce Recipe

1. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the brown sugar, Karo syrup, and salt. Cook until dissolved and combined.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in baking soda. Be careful because it will foam up.
3. Pour the caramel sauce over the ingredients in the bag and shake to combine.

Caramel Crispix Microwave Recipe

1. Fold the top of the bag together and shake the sauce and dry ingredients together. Microwave the contents in the bag for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and shake it again. Return the bag to the microwave. Repeat this process for a total of 3 times shaking after each minute.
2. Pour the ingredients out onto 2 or 3 rimmed baking sheets and spread it out to dry, stirring occasionally.
   • This mix can be left out to dry overnight and covering it isn’t necessary.
   • Once dry, store the mix in a covered bowl or recloseable plastic storage bag.

I packed up two of the pans by putting the Caramel Crispix into plastic ziplock bags and took a pretty dish to pour it into once we got there.

Caramel Crispix Tips:

• I like cooking this recipe in a brown paper bag from the grocery store. The cleanup is a breeze! However, it’s getting hard to get these bags since we use our own reusable bags. This recipe can easily be made in a large microwave-safe bowl as well.
• Use a deeper sided saucepan for cooking the brown sugar mixture than you think you’ll need. Remove the pan from the heat before you add the baking soda. Be careful when you add the baking soda it will foam up quickly and be very hot.

Variations to make this Snack Mix Recipe your own:

• Replace the peanuts with pecans or cashews
• Add pretzel sticks
• Use another cereal such as Rice Chex
• Substitute the chocolate M&M’s with another variety. Their caramel or peanut butter flavors would be amazing.
• Color coordinate the cany for the holidays

We’ve been taking this Caramel Crispix Snack Mix to our friend’s houses ever since we first tried it. We have some friends who have forbade us from bringing it because once you get started, it’s just too hard to stop munching.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this without a microwave?
Yes! Spread the coated mix on baking sheets and bake at 250°F for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes until dry and crispy.

Can I make Crispix mix in an air fryer?
Air fryers don’t work well for this recipe because the batch is too large and needs even coating. Stick with the microwave or oven method.

How long does Caramel Crispix mix last?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. It rarely lasts that long though!

Can I use other cereals instead of Crispix?
Absolutely! Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or Golden Grahams all work great. Rice Chex makes this gluten-free.

Why did my M&Ms melt?
Make sure to let the caramel mixture cool slightly before pouring over the cereal mix. Also, don’t overmix in the bag—gentle shaking is key.

Can I skip the brown paper bag?
Yes! Use a large microwave-safe bowl instead. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, for 3 total minutes.

What’s the best nut to use?
Salted peanuts are classic, but cashews, pecans, or mixed nuts work wonderfully too.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This mix actually gets better after a day or two as the flavors meld together. Make it up to 3 days before your event.

HOW TO STORE CARAMEL CRISPIX MIX

Store your Caramel Crispix mix in an airtight container or large ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. The mix stays crispy and delicious the entire time—if it lasts that long!

Make-Ahead Tips for Party Planning

• Perfect timing – Make this 2-3 days before your party so you can check one thing off your list
• Gift-giving – Package in mason jars or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon for homemade gifts
• Double batches – Make extra and freeze half in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving
• Transport easily – Pack in ziplock bags and pour into a pretty serving bowl when you arrive

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

If you enjoy this snack mix recipe here are a few more you may like

• Spicy Nacho Cheese Pretzels Recipe
• Candy Bar Popcorn
• Candy Coated Popcorn A.K.A. Crack Corn
• Caramel Apple Pie Snack Mix
• Unicorn Popcorn
• Sweet Jarcuterie
• Rice Krispie Treats {The Best}

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If you’re looking for a few fore finger-friendly appetizers, here are a few of our most popular!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Modified on (February 7, 2026)