This sweet, crunchy snack mix has been making the rounds for years, and if you’ve ever had it at a party, there’s a good chance you’ve immediately asked for the recipe. In fact, it earned the internet nickname “crack mix” because it’s so addictive. (I’m not saying it’s a good nickname- just reporting the lore!) The magic is in the buttery caramel-ish coating that transforms simple ingredients into an irresistibly chewy crunchy treat. I love the addition of almonds and coconut for extra flavor and texture, but don’t let that stop you, it’s just as delicious if you leave out one (or both!). We often make it with just the cereal.
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Rice Chex cereal
- Golden Grahams cereal
- Sliced almonds
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Butter – Always use real butter if you can. If you must substitute, try to use something with a similar fat content and consistency.
- Granulated sugar
- Karo syrup – This is light corn syrup (which is not the same thing as the industrial high fructose corn syrup we’ve been told to avoid, by the way). It’s the clear kind, not the brown kind. You can find this on the baking aisle near the maple syrup.
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
How to Make Chewy Almond-Coconut Chex Mix
- First you’ll toss your cereals, almonds, and coconut in a big bowl. You’ll want plenty of room to mix and stir, so it helps to use an even bigger bowl than you think you need!
- Next you’ll mix up the sweet glaze that holds everything together. Butter, corn syrup, and sugar get boiled together, then you’ll add some vanilla and pour it over your cereal mixture.
- Mix everything together and enjoy! If you’d like, you can spread it out on parchment to cool before transferring back to the serving bowl.
Storing and Other Tips
- Before storing, ensure the mix has cooled completely (spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet to speed this process up). Then store in an airtight container at room temp and enjoy within a few days for best results.
- Mix it up: Lots of readers in the comments had great ideas for other additions to this mix. Lots of them recommended chocolate or white chocolate chips mixed in at the very end! Feel free to experiment with other mix-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just cool completely and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
No one is stopping you from diving right in, as long as it’s not too hot! But the chewy coating develops as the Chex mix cools!
Sure! Cellophane bags, trat boxes, or mason jars should work well for gifting!
Chewy Coconut-Almond Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 6 ½ cups Rice Chex cereal
- 4 ½ cups Golden Grahams cereal
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut
- ¾ cup butter (12 tablespoons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light Karo syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- In a VERY large bowl (or on a cookie sheet), combine cereals, almonds, and coconut. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine butter, Karo syrup, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and almond extract. While the mixture is still hot, pour over the cereal mixture and stir well so the candy mixture coats the cereal.
- Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Serve in a large bowl or divide into individual portions.
Notes
- Before storing, ensure the mix has cooled completely (spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet to speed this process up). Then store in an airtight container at room temp and enjoy within a few days for best results.
- Mix it up: Lots of readers in the comments had great ideas for other additions to this mix. Lots of them recommended chocolate or white chocolate chips mixed in at the very end! Feel free to experiment with other mix-ins.
Nutrition
Questions & Reviews
You know like "Better Than…uh…Almost Anything Cake"? It's like that. SOOO addicting. So how about "Better Than Almost Anything Chow"!?
"Meth Munch" (due to it's addictive nature)
"Devils Delight"
Really. You should just call it On My Way To Rehab, because my 6 year old and I made it last night and it is ridiculous in it's addictiveness. I've been abstaining almost completely from sugar for more than a month and I COULD NOT GET MY HAND OUT OF THIS BOWL.
Thanks a lot.
Witch Bits! Although it could get ugly if you said it 10 times fast.
YUm! I love this stuff! So good!
I have always heard of it as "sweet chex mix" It is yummy
oh my gosh. this looks amazing! I think this might be akin to a secret recipe an old friend wouldn't share… she didn't really have a name for it either. But I do remember it being like crack!
as for names….ummmmm…..
candy crack has nice ring to it!
I made this yesterday and added candy corn. My kids liked it. Thanks for the tasty treat.
A lady in my neighborhood makes this around the holidays and she calls it "Who Hash" (from Dr. Seuss).
Scott and Em Hoffman–I don't know if you're following the comments at all, but I think I might know you!! 🙂 Email me at general (at) ourbestbites (dot) com. I'm going to be SO excited if you're who I think you are!! 🙂
we always called in candy chop suey when I was younger…not sure where the name came from!