How to Make Holiday Snack Mix Recipes

I never learned how to make holiday snack mix recipes until after I had children. When I was growing up, I do not remember anything which I considered snack mixes.  We always had plenty of food around especially during holiday times. The closest things to snacks would be occasional sandwiches or cookies; always cookies during the Christmas holidays.


When I finally learned how to make holiday snack mix recipes, I saw that many of these recipes are made with products like Chex cereal by Ralston Purina and Kix cereal by General Mills. I do not know who was the “creator” of these snacks but here is what I do know.  At one time these were known as TV foods. In the early 1950’s is when people started purchasing televisions. It was also during this time that recipes started appearing on cereal boxes.


Back at this time period I never had reason to learn how to make holiday snack mix recipes which were meant for TV watching because we did not have a television. Later, one of my brothers who was in the military bought a television when he came home on leave. (I cannot believe that I was on the beginning of television and now I am seeing them becoming obsolete with the presence of computers.)


Even if I had ever learned how to make holiday snack mix recipes, we could never have eaten them while watching television. Everyone who ate anything in our home, had to sit at the table to eat. I have pretty much carried this rule in my home while raising my children. When you become an adult and have to do the cleaning, it is easier to understand. This rule makes housecleaning much easier. Even though I never learned to make these snacks, many people were excited about them.


These recipes became such a hit that other companies producing cereals, candy and nuts “jumped on the wagon”. Today you will find so many different recipes including not only cereal but popcorn, pretzels, chocolate chips, all kinds of dried fruits, all kinds of nuts and candies like M & M’s and Hershey’s Kisses. You can really add most of your favorite mini treats. Not only are there many sweet and fruity recipes but many delicious savory snack mixes with spices. Just use a little imagination when learning how to make holiday snack mix recipes.


I still do not consider this to be a television food but great holiday snacks. Many recipes are so quick to mix together without cooking; even the ones using the oven are simple to make. The flavor can vary tremendously depending on the ingredient used and are wonderful and convenient to have on hands for holiday guests.

HOW TO MAKE HOLIDAY SNACK MIX RECIPES

CHEX PARTY MIX

How to Make Holiday Snack Mix RecipesHow to Make Holiday Snack Mix Recipes

Learn how to make holiday snack mix recipes for all your holiday gatherings. These is sure to be a favorite for any crowd.

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Cups rice Chex cereal
  • 2 Cups corn Chex cereal
  • 2 Cups wheat Chex cereal
  • 1 ½ Cups mixed nuts
  • 1 Teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Melt butter over low heat; stir in salt and Worcestershire sauce.

Add Chex cereals and nuts to butter mixture; mix until all pieces are coated.

Spread mixture in 9X12 inch baking pan; bake in oven for 45 minutes stirring occasionally.

M & M SURVIVAL MUNCHI STUFF

M&M Survival Munchi Stuff Snack MixM&M Survival Munchi Stuff Snack Mix

Learn how to make holiday snack mix recipes that your guest will love. This recipe is always a favorite.

  • 8 Ounces chocolate chips
  • 8 Ounces M & M candies
  • 8 Ounces salted nuts (peanuts, cashews, walnuts, etc.)
  • 4 Ounces chopped dried fruit (dates, raisins, apples, etc.)
  • 2 Cups dry cereal (No flakes)

Combine and mix well; store in a covered container.

CARAMEL POPCORN MIX

Caramel Popcorn MixCaramel Popcorn Mix
  • 4 ½ Cups Chex cereal (Any kind)
  • 4 Cups popped corn
  • ½ Cup cashew halves
  • ¼ Cup butter
  • 6 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
  • ¼ Teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Combine popped corn, cereal and nuts in a large roasting pan.

Combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla in a saucepan.

Bring mixture to a boil stirring frequently; pour over pop corn cereal mixture.

STIR mixture until evenly coated.

Bake for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.

Spread mixture out on wax paper to cool; stir occasionally to break up.

Store in airtight container. 

NOTE: Makes 19 servings; ½ cup each (DEFINITELY plan for more than ½ cup each!)

EASY SNACK MIX RECIPE

Easy Snack Mix RecipeEasy Snack Mix Recipe

Learn how to make holiday party snack mix recipes when you are short of time. This recipe can be made in minutes.

  • 4 Cups toasted oat cereal
  • 1 Cup salted peanuts
  • 1 Cup raisins
  • ¼ Cup butter
  • 1 Package (6 ounces) semi sweet chocolate chips

Combine and mix cereal, peanuts and raisins in large bowl.

Melt butter over warm heat; pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat mixture.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the mixture and toss; makes 7 cups.

HARVEST PARTY MIX

Harvest Party MixHarvest Party Mix
  • 1 Roll mini peanut butter crackers
  • 1 Package mini pretzels
  • 1 Cup dry roasted peanuts
  • 4 Cups Cheerios cereal
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • ½ Cup butter
  • ½ Cup light corn syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons vanilla
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Package M &M’s
  • 1 Package candy corn

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Combine in a large roasting pan pretzels, crackers, peanuts and Cheerios; mix well.

In a saucepan combine sugar, butter and corn syrup; bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda. (Mixture does foam)

Pour hot mixture over pretzel mixture; stir until coated.

Place pan in oven and bake for 45 minutes; stir every 15 minutes.

Spread out on a large buttered tray to cool; break apart in pieces while warm.

When cool add M & M’s and candy corn; stir to mix.

When completely cooled, store in airtight container.

HOLIDAY CRUNCH MIX

  • ½ Cup melted butter
  • 2 Quarts popped corn
  • 2 Cups small pretzels
  • 2 Cups bite size crispy corn squares
  • 1 Cup dry roasted peanuts
  • ½ Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Combine popped corn, pretzels, corn squares and peanuts in a large bowl.

Pour melted butter over the mixture; toss until coated.

Spread on ungreased 10X15X1 inch baking jelly roll pan.

Bake 1 hour stirring occasionally; cool completely. 

Makes 3 quarts.

SAVORY PARTY MIX

  • 1 Bag (3.7 ounces) microwave popcorn (POPPED) (OR 10 cups popped corn)
  • 2 Cups crisp wheat square cereal
  • 2 Cups cheddar cheese goldfish crackers
  • 1 Can (1 ¾ ounces) shoestring potatoes
  • 1 Cup unsalted peanuts
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1 Teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • ½ Teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Combine popped corn, cereal, crackers, potatoes and peanuts in a very large bowl.

Melt butter; stir in parsley, chili powder, onion powder and garlic powder.

Drizzle butter mixture over pop corn mixture; sprinkle with cheese and toss until coated.

Transfer half of mixture to a microwave safe dish.

Microwave mixture 3 to 4 minutes until thoroughly heated stirring halfway through heating.

Spread on paper towels to cool; repeat process with remaining mixture.

Makes 12 cups.

KARAMEL KORN MIX

  • 6 Cups popped corn
  • 2 Cups miniature pretzels
  • ½ Cup salted peanuts
  • 1 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • ½ Cup butter
  • ¼ Cup light corn syrup
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Cup miniature spiced gumdrops

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Line a 10X15 inch baking pan with foil; combine in pan popped corn, pretzels and peanuts.

In medium saucepan combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup; bring to boil stirring constantly.

REDUCE heat and simmer 2 minutes; remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla.

Pour hot mixture over popcorn mix in pan; toss to coat.

Bake for 30 minutes stirring twice during baking; immediately remove from pan to fresh sheet of foil.

Cool completely breaking apart while still warm; add gumdrops and toss to mix.

Makes 11 cups.