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
Oh happy day!!! I had lost this recipe (how does that happen) Here it its yippy!!! Making it today to take to a party. Thank you. Around here we call it Pigion mix…It is like a drug I agree…everyone flocks to the bowl and groans…Thank You!!
We LOVE this stuff. The only difference in the recipe I have is that we use slivered almonds instead of sliced. We call it "Munchy Crunchy Good Stuff".
I like "Sticky Mix" as a name. It describes that fact that it's sticky and a mix of things. Plus it has a snappy ring without being too wordy or drug related, which I think is funny, but don't want to give my kiddos any kind of positive imagery where drugs are concerned.
LOVE your site and recipes! Thanks! Did you ever decide on a name since this post is a year old now?
ohhhh ….
not good for a girl on a diet but i can't wait to try this! yummy!
We have been making this for years! LOVE IT! I call it "Ginger's Snack Mix" cause I got the recipe from my aunt Ginger. I have added m&m's before, but I must say, no chocolate is needed, it is hard to keep away from as it is. Every time I make this, it is never left un touched. And I love that these ingredients are ones you can just have in food storage and in a pinch this can be thrown together in a matter of minutes 🙂 I agree with calling it crack, though I had to admit I already call something that (Cadbury mini Eggs! haha).
We call this treat "Grandma's Angel Mix." We make it throughout the year, not just at Christmas time. It's hard to resist.
Totally crack like!!!! LOL. Love it.
We just made this tonight and it was so good!!! We even used agave instead of corn syrup. Heavenly. I like cruchy crack for a name, but whatever you call it, call me to it.
I tried this as one of the refreshments for my neice's blessing & it was a huge hit. It was soo gooey & good. I will definitely make this again. Thanks a bunch!
What if we live in another country and can't get Golden Grahams? Would it be okay with just two different kinds of chex?