The Holiday Tin Will Be Empty by Noon: 19 Homemade Snack Mix Recipes From Halloween to Christmas

Somewhere in your family there is a party mix recipe written on the back of an envelope, made in a roasting pan and stirred every 15 minutes while the whole house smelled like butter and Worcestershire. Here is that classic snack mix, plus the Halloween, fall and Christmas versions people are searching for right now. One big batch fills a dozen gift bags, so it saves money too..

Grandma’s roasting pan party mix, the snack mix that started it all

This is the one. Crunchy cereal squares, pretzels, rye chips and mixed nuts, tossed in melted butter with Worcestershire and garlic, then baked low and slow. Grandma made it by the roasting pan every December and kept it in a big tin by the door. The secret is stirring every 15 minutes so every piece gets toasty. Who made it in your family? A) mom B) grandma C) an aunt D) me.

You will need: 9 cups mixed square rice, corn and wheat cereal, 2 cups mini pretzels, 2 cups rye chips or bagel chips, 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Put the cereal, pretzels, chips and nuts in a large roasting pan. Melt the butter and stir in Worcestershire, seasoned salt, garlic and onion powder. Pour over the mix and stir well. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, then store in a tin.

Everything bagel snack mix

If you love everything bagels, this is your mix. Swap the Worcestershire for a big spoon of everything bagel seasoning and add bagel chips. It is salty, garlicky and full of sesame crunch. It is also a nice savory break from all the sweet treats in December. Make it on a sheet pan in under an hour.

You will need: 6 cups mixed cereal squares, 2 cups bagel chips, 2 cups mini pretzel twists, 1 cup peanuts, 6 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Toss the cereal, chips, pretzels and peanuts on a large sheet pan. Melt the butter with the seasoning and garlic powder and drizzle over. Toss well. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool on the pan and store airtight.

Nuts and bolts, the old-fashioned name

In Canada and parts of the Midwest, this snack mix has always been called nuts and bolts. The round oat rings look like nuts and the pretzel sticks look like bolts. It is usually a bit garlicky and peppery, and some families make 10 batches before Christmas. Did your family call it A) nuts and bolts B) party mix C) something else?

You will need: 4 cups oat cereal rings, 4 cups wheat cereal squares, 3 cups pretzel sticks, 2 cups mixed nuts, 3/4 cup butter, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon celery salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Mix the cereals, pretzels and nuts in a roasting pan. Melt the butter and stir in Worcestershire and the spices. Pour over and stir until coated. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely before storing.

Halloween monster snack mix

This is the one kids grab first at a Halloween party. Mix salty cereal and pretzels with candy corn, orange and purple candy coated chocolates and a handful of candy eyes. No baking needed, just a big bowl and a spoon. Searches for Halloween snack mix climb every October, and you can see why. Let the kids add the eyes.

You will need: 4 cups cereal squares, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup peanuts (skip for nut-free), 1 cup candy corn, 1 cup orange and purple candy coated chocolates, 1/2 cup candy eyes.

How to make it: Put everything in a big bowl and stir gently with a spoon. Taste and add more pretzels if it is too sweet. Scoop into small cups or clear bags tied with orange ribbon. Keeps 1 week in an airtight container.

Fall harvest mix with pumpkin seeds

Carving pumpkins this week? Save the seeds. Roasted pumpkin seeds, maple pecans, dried cranberries and a few cereal squares make a fall snack mix that tastes like a walk through an orchard. It is less sugary than most mixes and great for lunch boxes. Which is your fall flavor? A) maple B) cinnamon C) pumpkin spice.

You will need: 1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds, 1 cup pecans, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, pinch of salt, 3 cups cereal squares, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds.

How to make it: Toss the pecans with maple syrup and salt and bake at 325F for 10 minutes. Let them cool and harden. In a big bowl, mix pecans, pumpkin seeds, cereal, cranberries and sunflower seeds. Store in a jar for up to 2 weeks.

Caramel corn party mix

Homemade caramel corn baked with pretzels and peanuts is crunchy, sticky and impossible to stop eating. The secret is a pinch of baking soda in the caramel, which makes it light and crisp instead of hard. Bake it low and stir often. It tastes like the county fair in a bowl.

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup peanuts, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Put popcorn, pretzels and peanuts in a roasting pan. Boil the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt for 4 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour over the popcorn and stir. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool and break apart.

Powdered sugar peanut butter chocolate mix (some call it puppy chow)

Every family has a name for this one: puppy chow, muddy buddies or monkey munch. Cereal squares get coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then shaken in a bag of powdered sugar. Kids love doing the shaking. Make a double batch, because it disappears. What do you call it? Tell us below.

You will need: 9 cups rice cereal squares, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.

How to make it: Pour the cereal into a large bowl. Microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Pour over the cereal and fold until coated. Put the cereal in a large zip bag with the powdered sugar, seal and shake. Spread on a pan to cool.

Pumpkin spice sweet snack mix

If you buy every pumpkin spice thing in the store, this sweet snack mix is for you. Cereal squares and pecans are tossed in a buttery brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice glaze, baked until crisp, then finished with dried cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle. It makes the kitchen smell like fall.

You will need: 6 cups cereal squares, 1 cup pecans, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Melt butter with brown sugar and spice. Toss with cereal and pecans on a sheet pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool, then add cranberries. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle over. Let it set before breaking into pieces.

Ranch and dill pretzel mix

This is the easiest savory snack mix in the list, and it might be the most popular. Pretzels, oyster crackers and cereal get tossed with oil, dry ranch seasoning and dill, then baked for 20 minutes. It is perfect for game day, road trips and holiday parties. Do you like A) extra dill B) extra garlic C) both?

You will need: 4 cups mini pretzels, 3 cups oyster crackers, 3 cups cereal squares, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Put the pretzels, crackers and cereal in a big bowl. Whisk the oil, ranch, dill and garlic powder. Pour over and stir well. Spread on 2 sheet pans and bake 20 minutes, stirring once. Cool before storing.

Spicy Cajun party mix

For the people who like a little heat, add Cajun seasoning and a few shakes of hot sauce to the butter. Spiced nuts, rye chips and crunchy cereal soak it all up. It is great with cold drinks during a holiday football game. Set out a bowl of the classic and a bowl of this and watch which one goes first.

You will need: 6 cups cereal squares, 2 cups rye chips, 2 cups mixed nuts, 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Mix the cereal, chips and nuts in a roasting pan. Melt butter with Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire, hot sauce and paprika. Pour over and stir. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool on paper towels.

White chocolate holiday crunch

Popcorn, pretzels and cereal coated in white chocolate with red and green candies is the snack mix people ask for every Christmas. It sets in 20 minutes, no oven needed. Pack it in jars or cellophane bags with ribbon and it is a gift. For more ideas to give away, see our homemade edible gifts.

You will need: 8 cups popped popcorn, 3 cups cereal squares, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup peanuts, 12 ounces white chocolate or white melting wafers, 1 cup red and green candy coated chocolates, holiday sprinkles.

How to make it: Mix the popcorn, cereal, pretzels and peanuts in a big bowl. Melt the white chocolate in 30 second bursts, stirring. Pour over the mix and fold until coated. Spread on parchment and scatter the candies and sprinkles. Let it set 20 minutes, then break into pieces.

Toffee cereal crunch, the Christmas treat everyone hides

This sweet mix tastes like toffee candy. Cereal squares are coated in butter and brown sugar that bubbles into toffee in the oven, then topped with pecans and a chocolate drizzle. It is the one people hide in the back of the pantry so nobody else finds it. Make it on parchment for easy cleanup.

You will need: 8 cups rice cereal squares, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 275F and line a sheet pan with parchment. Spread the cereal and pecans on the pan. Boil the butter, brown sugar and salt for 2 minutes, stir in vanilla and pour over the cereal. Toss and bake 20 minutes, stirring once. Cool, drizzle with melted chocolate and break apart.

Gingerbread snack mix

All the warm spice of gingerbread in a crunchy handful. Cereal squares and pecans are tossed with molasses, brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon, then mixed with mini gingersnaps and white chocolate chips. It is a great gift for teachers and neighbors because it is not the same old cookie plate.

You will need: 6 cups cereal squares, 1 cup pecans, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 2 cups mini gingersnaps, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Melt the butter with molasses, brown sugar and spices. Toss with the cereal and pecans on a sheet pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely, then stir in the gingersnaps and white chocolate chips.

Cinnamon sugar churro mix

Toss warm cereal squares and pretzels in butter, then shake them in cinnamon sugar. It tastes just like a churro from the fair. Serve it with a little cup of melted chocolate for dipping and it becomes a party favorite. Kids can help shake the bag, so it is a fun one to make together.

You will need: 6 cups cereal squares, 2 cups mini pretzel twists, 6 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, chocolate sauce for dipping.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 250F. Melt the butter and toss with the cereal and pretzels. Bake on a sheet pan for 15 minutes. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a large zip bag. Add the warm cereal mix, seal and shake until coated. Spread out to cool and serve with chocolate sauce.

Slow cooker party mix (no oven needed)

When the oven is full of turkey and pies, make your snack mix in the slow cooker. Leave the lid off so it toasts instead of steaming and give it a stir every 20 minutes. It is the same buttery classic, just hands-off. Spread it on a sheet pan to cool so it stays crisp.

You will need: 9 cups mixed cereal squares, 2 cups mini pretzels, 2 cups bagel chips, 1 cup mixed nuts, 1/2 cup butter melted, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

How to make it: Put the cereal, pretzels, chips and nuts in a 6-quart slow cooker. Mix the butter, Worcestershire, seasoned salt and garlic powder and pour over. Stir well. Cook on low with the lid off for 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes. Spread on a parchment lined pan to cool.

Sweet and salty trail mix for kids

This no-bake snack mix is perfect for after school or a road trip to grandma’s house. Mix crunchy cereal, pretzels, raisins, dried apples and a few chocolate chips. You can make it nut-free for school by using sunflower seeds instead of peanuts. Let the kids build their own cup with what they like best.

You will need: 3 cups cereal squares, 1 cup mini pretzels, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup chopped dried apples, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or peanuts, 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: Mix everything in a large bowl. Scoop 1/2 cup portions into small bags or containers for lunch boxes. Store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.

S’mores snack mix

All the flavor of a campfire s’more without the fire. Honey graham cereal, mini marshmallows, chocolate chunks and pretzels go in one bowl. Warm it in the oven for 2 minutes if you want melty marshmallows. It is a great one for a winter movie night. Would you eat it A) cold and crunchy B) warm and gooey?

You will need: 4 cups honey graham cereal squares, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 1 cup chocolate chunks, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1/2 cup broken graham crackers.

How to make it: Mix the cereal, pretzels and graham crackers in a big bowl. Stir in the marshmallows and chocolate. For a warm version, spread on a sheet pan and bake at 350F for 2 to 3 minutes until the marshmallows puff. Cool a few minutes before serving.

Honey roasted nut and cereal mix

Honey and a little cinnamon turn a can of mixed nuts into something special. Mix them with cereal squares and bake until glossy. It is sweet and salty and a great snack mix for grown-up gift tins. Note for parties: label any mix with nuts so guests with allergies know.

You will need: 3 cups mixed nuts, 3 cups cereal squares, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 300F. Warm honey, butter, cinnamon and salt until melted. Toss with nuts and cereal on a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes, until glossy. Cool fully, then break up and store.

Big batch tips and how to pack snack mix gifts

Making snack mix for a crowd? Use two roasting pans, keep the oven at 250F and stir every 15 minutes so nothing burns. Cool it completely before bagging or it will turn soft. One roasting pan fills about 12 gift bags. Clear bags, a ribbon and a handwritten tag are all you need. Which snack mix will you make first this year?

You will need: Clear cellophane bags or jars, ribbon, gift tags, a funnel or measuring cup, paper towels or parchment for cooling.

How to make it: Cool each batch on paper towels for at least 1 hour. Scoop 1 to 1 1/2 cups into each bag using a measuring cup. Tie with ribbon and add a tag with the name of the mix and a note if it has nuts. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.