Sweet Chex Mix Recipe: White Trash Snack Mix

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Indulge in a taste of nostalgia with this deliciously easy Sweet Chex Mix recipe. Crisp cereals, salty pretzels, and sweet white chocolate combine to make the perfect sweet and salty snack mix. Made with just a few simple ingredients in less than 15 minutes, this no-bake “white trash” is the ideal crunchy, irresistible treat that’s perfect for snacking, holiday parties, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth!

Featured comment: I just want to say that I have NEVER been on any Recipe Site where I got so detailed instructions. You are awesome, and I just subscribed to your site. The White Trash Mix will be made this year by me to give as gift for so, so many friends. Thanks!” – Ruth

Continue to read on for tips on how to easily customize this snack mix to match any social occasion. And, don’t miss the step by step photos included in the post!

Update: This recipe was originally published in January 2021. I made edits to the article below to include more information about white trash chex mix recipe.

Hi, friends! I know January is the time for bettering ourselves and healthy eating, but let’s get real – you can’t survive on celery juice, bone broth and kale chips alone! Besides, life is to be enjoyed and it’s all about balance!

So, let me introduce you to what is sure to become your new favorite guilty pleasure! Whether you enjoy this as a snack or devour it as a dessert, just prepare yourself, because this white chocolate Chex mix is impossible to put down and utterly addictive!

About this sweet chex mix recipe

This holiday Chex mix, also referred to as chocolate covered Chex mix, sweet and salty chex mix recipe, or White trash recipe, is the perfect balance of sweet, salty and savory! It features a delicious mix of cereals, pretzels, peanuts and M&M’s all tossed together and generously coated in smooth white chocolate! This mix is crispy, crunchy, slightly creamy, chocolatey, downright decadent and irresistibly delicious!

Plus, this Chex mix is the perfect no-bake recipe to keep in your back pocket! It’s made with just a few easy-to-find ingredients and everything comes together in 15 minutes or less! Plus, this recipe is totally flexible and easily customizable – you can change the colors of the M&M’s to match the holiday or occasion, easily swap out Chex for your favorite cereal(s) or throw in your favorite mix-ins, such as coconut flakes, mini marshmallows or dried fruits!

This Sweet Chex mix is the ultimate easy snack time treat or dessert! It’s always the first thing to disappear at a party and will become your go-to for picnics, potlucks, football parties, social gatherings and holiday celebrations!

Why you’ll love this white trash recipe

• Super-fast and easy to make – the chocolate hardens quickly!
• Perfect no-bake snack or dessert!
• Made with just 6 ingredients!
• Extremely versatile and totally customizable – adjust the quantities and change the ingredients or colors to match the holiday or occasion!
• Totally delicious and highly addictive combination of salty and sweet!
• Wonderful for gifting – package it up and give it as a delicious, homemade gift!

What is sweet chex mix?

Sweet Chex Mix, also known as crack Chex mix, chocolate Chex mix, or white trash mix, is a mixture of breakfast cereals, pretzels and M&M candies all coated in melted white chocolate. The white trash mix can include various cereals, such as Chex, Cheerios and Captain Crunch, as well as other tasty ingredients, such as peanuts, almonds, popcorn, coconut flakes and mini marshmallows!

This white trash recipe features white chocolate, chex mix cereals, pretzels, and nuts to create the ideal sweet and salty taste. It’s the perfect indulgent snack, last-minute party appetizer, and no-bake dessert!

What is in Chex mix sweet recipes?

This white chocolate snack mix is addictive and always a crowd pleaser! Below are the ingredients I typically use. However, this white trash recipe is very flexible and easily customizable! Think of this recipe as a template – adjust the quantities and change the ingredients to include whatever you and your family love!

Ingredients

• Cereal: I like to use a mix of Cheerios, Rice Chex and Corn Chex. However, you can use whatever breakfast cereals you love or have on hand! (See below for variations!)
• Pretzels: I tend to use a mix of pretzel snaps and pretzel sticks. I recommend using salted pretzels for the best salty crunch! (See below for variations!)
• Nuts: In my opinion, honey roasted peanuts take this snack mix to the next level of yum! However, you can swap the peanuts for whatever roasted nuts you love! (See below for variations!)
• White Chocolate: Use a high-quality white chocolate for the best taste! I personally always use Ghirardelli melting wafers or Lindt white chocolate bars. The better the quality of your chocolate, the better your chocolate Chex mix will be! You can use almond bark if you would like; however, the quality, texture and flavor will not be as good.
• Extract: Vanilla extract adds subtle vanilla flavor and also enhances the flavor of the other ingredients in this candy mix. You can switch things up and use different extracts, just make sure you are using pure (not imitation) extracts. (See below for variations!)
• M&M’s: M&M candies add a fun pop of color and are a great way to customize the mix to celebrate various holidays! I like to use a combination of milk chocolate and peanut M&M’s, but any variety will work well! (See below for variations!)
• Finishing Salt: Delicate flakes of Maldon sea salt are the secret ingredient in this holiday Chex mix! It adds a very subtle touch of unique salty taste that perfectly enhances all the flavors in this mix!

Variations of chex mix sweet

Want to make some changes to this white trash recipe? Fantastic!! This snack mix is so easy to adapt! Get creative – add or substitute your favorite ingredients to create a homemade Chex Mix snack you and your family will love! You can use as many different mix-ins as you like; however, try to keep the ratio of dry ingredients to white chocolate the same. Below are some ideas to get you started!

Cereal you can use

Switch things up and try your favorite breakfast cereals in this snack mix. However, I do recommend using a sturdy cereal, such as the ones listed below to make this white trash recipe.

• Chex: Any Chex flavors – Wheat Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Peanut Butter Chex and Vanilla Chex – will work out great!
• Cheerios: The best Cheerio varieties for sweet Chex mix are Frosted, Honey Nut, Chocolate and Toasted Coconut!
• Frosted Mini Wheats: Sweet, crunchy mini wheats are a delicious substitution!
• Cap’N Crunch: Love peanut butter?! Try peanut butter Crunch for a yummy twist!
• Fruit Loops: Add some colorful crunch by using Fruit Loops!
• Cocoa Puffs: Using chocolatey Cocoa Puffs in this mix is a fan favorite in my house!
• Toast Crunch: Cinnamon, chocolate and frosted toast crunch are all tasty additions to white chocolate snack mix!

Customizing this sweet snack mix

• Pretzels: Switch up the salty, crunchy component of this snack mix by trying out different pretzels! Pretzel pieces and mini pretzels work! Or try yogurt covered pretzels for a sweet twist!
• Nuts: You can use one nut or a combination of nuts! Cashews, almonds, regular peanuts, pistachios and macadamia nuts are all fantastic!
• Chocolate: Not a fan of white chocolate? Try using bittersweet chocolate instead!
• Extract: Switch up the extract depending upon the ingredients in your mix! Try almond, maple, lemon, coconut, rum, butter nut or peppermint!
• M&M’s: Use one or more flavors of your favorite M&M’s! Dark chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, pretzel and crispy M&M’s will all work brilliantly!
• Gluten-free: Use a certified gluten-free brand of cereal, such as Gluten-Free Chex and Gluten-Free Cheerios.
• Nut Allergy: Omit the nuts and use more pretzels or substitute a tasty mix-in instead!
• Half the Recipe: This recipe makes a lot of party mix! I like to make the entire batch and store half in the freezer for easy snacking, but feel free to half the recipe!

Optional mix-ins for this white trash snack

• Candy: Swap out the M&M’s for your favorite chocolate-coated candy! Try using peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces or Smarties!
• Granola Clusters: Big, crisp clusters of granola are an absolutely tasty addition!
• Morsels and Chips: Looking to add more decadence? Throw in some chocolate chips, caramel bits, butterscotch morsels or English Toffee bits!
• Coconut: Coconut flakes are perfect for adding a touch of nutty, sweet flavor!
• Teddy Grahams: Bite-size graham cookies are such a fun addition!
• Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are perfect if you want to add a bit of fluffy texture and slight chew!
• Dried Fruit: Blueberries, cranberries, apricots, strawberries and cherries are a wonderful way to add a pop of color and chewy texture!
• Chocolate: Double down on the chocolate! Try drizzling melted milk chocolate over the mix!
• Sprinkles: Colorful sprinkles are a fun addition to this Chex mix! Use your favorite color of sprinkles to add a bit of exciting glitz!

Holiday variations of white trash chex mix

Need a last-minute snack, treat or dessert for the holidays? No celebration is complete without a big bowl of this sweet Chex mix! This recipe is so easy to customize for various occasions and holidays! Below are a few fun ideas for modifying the recipe!

• Valentine’s Day: Try using Very Berry or Chocolate Strawberry Cheerios with Valentine’s Day M&M’s!
• Saint Patrick’s Day: Swap the Cheerios for Lucky Charms Cereal and use green M&M’s!
• Easter: Throw in some Speckled Robin Malted Milk Balls and use M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candy Easter Eggs!
• Memorial Day and Fourth of July: Toss in some dried cranberries and blueberries, along with mini marshmallows and M&M’s Red, White and Blue Patriotic Candy!
• Halloween: Add some candy corns to the mix and try using Pumpkin Spice Cheerios with M&M’s Creepy Cocoa Crisp Candy! You can even use pumpkin pie spice extract or maple extract instead of vanilla to really amp up the flavor!
• Christmas: Swap vanilla extract for peppermint, add crushed up candy canes and use M&M’s Holiday Mint Chocolate Christmas Candy!

FAQs: melting white chocolate

How to easily melt white chocolate?

Anyone who has tried to melt white chocolate will tell you it comes with some difficulties. The problem is that unlike milk, dark or semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate is not ‘real chocolate’ – it’s a blend of sugar, milk products, cocoa butter, vanilla and fat (lecithin) – and it has a lower melting point. White chocolate will burn at 110°F, while darker varieties of chocolate melt at 115°F. The difference between those few degrees will cause white chocolate to scorch and seize if you don’t properly melt it. Follow the easy tips below for melting white chocolate like a pro!

Melting white chocolate on the stove

Using a double boiler is the best method for melting white chocolate. A double boiler is a special cooking pan made up of two components: a small saucepan that holds the water and a heatproof bowl that securely fits on top. The white chocolate is placed in the top bowl to slowly melt over indirect heat.

To DIY a double boiler

Don’t worry if you don’t own a fancy double boiler, because it is so easy to make one yourself with what you have on hand!

• Select a small or medium saucepan and a wide, shallow heatproof bowl that fits over the top. Take care to make sure that the bowl fits snugly on the pan, without coming close to or touching the bottom of the pan!
• Fill the saucepan with approximately 1 to 1 ½-inches of water – making sure the water won’t touch the bottom of the pan!

How to melt white chocolate on the stove

Using a double boiler on the stove is the safest, most effective way to melt white chocolate (melting method mentioned above). However, you can use this melting method for any variety of chocolate!

• Chop: If you are using chocolate chips, you can skip this step. If you are using white chocolate bars, use a sharp Chef’s knife to roughly cut the chocolate into small pieces.
• Heat water: Heat the water in the saucepan of your double boiler to a rapid simmer and then immediately lower the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer.
• Add chocolate to bowl: Place the chocolate in the top bowl of your double boiler. If you are using liquid flavoring ingredients, such as extracts, add them with the chocolate. Place the bowl on top of the simmering water.
• Melt: Let the chocolate start to melt for a minute, and then start to gently, but continuously, stir until the white chocolate is mostly melted and only a few lumps remain. Avoid overheating the chocolate or it will seize!
• Finish melting: Remove the bowl of chocolate from the heat and transfer it to a heat-safe surface. Continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted.

How to melt white chocolate in the microwave

While I recommend using the stovetop and a double boiler to melt chocolate, you can use the microwave if you are in a pinch!

• Chop: If you are using chocolate chips, you can skip this step. If you are using white chocolate bars, use a sharp Chef’s knife to roughly cut the chocolate into small pieces.
• Add chocolate to bowl: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. If you are using liquid flavoring ingredients, such as extracts, add them with the chocolate.
• Low power: Set the power on your microwave to 50% strength.
• Slowly melt in short increments: Place the bowl of chocolate in the microwave and heat for 45 seconds. Remove the bowl and give the chocolate a good stir. Continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is mostly melted and only a few lumps remain.
• Finish melting: Remove the bowl of chocolate from the heat and transfer it to a heat-safe surface. Continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted.

Tips to prevent white chocolate from seizing

Unfortunately, chocolate it prone to seizing when improperly heated. To keep your white chocolate beautifully smooth and prevent it from seizing, clumping or tightening up, follow the simple guidelines below!

• Add liquids at the beginning: Make sure you add any liquids, such as extracts or oil, to the bowl at the very beginning, before you start melting the chocolate. Once the chocolate starts to melt, adding a liquid will cause it to seize!
• Use the right spoon: Use a clean, dry spoon when stirring the chocolate. Metal, rubber and silicone work the best because they are less prone to holding moisture, unlike a wood spoon.
• Don’t cover the bowl: Never cover the bowl of chocolate once you start the melting process. Steam creates moisture, which will cause the chocolate to seize. Likewise, if you are using a double boiler, never lift the bowl while the chocolate is melting as escaping steam will cause moisture as well!
• Melt slowly: Avoid boiling the water or trying to melt the chocolate too fast! Attempting to melt white chocolate too quickly over too high a heat will cause it to harden.

How to make recipe for Chex mix sweet

This white trash snack mix recipe is incredibly easy to prepare – there’s no candy thermometer, fancy equipment or baking required!

1. Toss: In a large bowl, gently toss together the cereals, peanuts and pretzels. Set aside.
2. Melt chocolate: Add the chocolate and extract to the bowl of a double boiler or a microwave-safe bowl and slowly melt. (See above for tips on melting white chocolate.)
3. Combine: Pour the white chocolate over the Chex mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently toss the mixture until it is evenly coated in chocolate.
4. Add holiday candies: Add the M&M’s or candy of choice to the mixture. Toss until evenly combined.
5. Dry: Line two large baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Spread the white chocolate Chex mix out evenly over the baking sheets. Quickly sprinkle flaky salt and sprinkles all over the mixture. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate is cool and set, about 20-30 minutes.
6. Serve or Store: Break the holiday Chex mix apart into serving-sized pieces and enjoy! Or, store the leftover mix in an airtight container! (See below for tips on storing and freezing sweet Chex mix!)

Step by step photos: making sweet chex mix recipes

(Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed instructions in the complete printable recipe at the bottom of the page.)

Serving recipe for white trash 

This recipe yields a large batch of sweet Chex mix, so it’s wonderful for sharing or gifting, This sweet trail mix is perfect for serving at parties alongside cups of white cocoa, or handing out to family, friends and neighbors at the holidays. Plus, it makes an easy, cute, and delicious gift for teacher appreciation too.

Gifting white trash candy

This recipe will yield approximately 12-16 generously portioned gift bags or tins out of just one batch!

• Cellophane bags: Spoon a generous portion of this white trash dessert into clear plastic treat bags and tie it up with a pretty ribbon!
• Holiday tins: Grab a fun cookie tin and line it with pretty tissue paper. Pack the snack mix in the tin, fold the excess tissue paper over the mix and secure the lid. Top with a neatly tied bow if you are feeling extra festive!
• Bakery Cardboard Gift Boxes: Line cardboard containers with parchment paper and add the snack mix. Close the box and secure it with colorful baker’s twine!

Serving sweet snack mixes

This Chex snack mix always disappears fast at family gatherings and holiday parties! Below are a few fun ideas for serving this snack mix at your next soiree!

• Cupcake or Muffin Liners: Spoon individual servings of white chocolate snack mix into pretty cupcake or muffin liners for easy, grab and go snacking!
• Disposable Cups: Instead of cupcake liners, try using patterned or themed disposable cups for single-serve portions!
• Party Bowl: Add Sweet Chex mix to a fun, brightly colored serving bowl. Set out a large serving spoon and disposable plates or cups for guests to help themselves!

If you’re looking for more delicious holiday snacks for entertaining, try these fan favorite recipes: Candied Walnuts, Baked Camembert Cheese with Cranberries, Raspberry ​Brie en Croûte, Peppermint Bark with Pretzels, Easy Cheese Danish, and Confetti Cake Bites. Or if you need a healthy option, these bliss balls with peanut butter are my favorite.

Storing and freezing white trash recipes

Want to make this in bark in advance for gift giving, or simply want to freeze it to enjoy at a later date? Read below for tips on safely storing and freezing white chocolate Chex mix!

How to store recipes for chex mix sweet?

You can store this white trash recipe at room temperature or in the refrigerator. It will keep wonderfully as long as you store it properly:

• Store this mix in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid to prevent moisture from spoiling the chocolate – storage containers, glass jars, festive cookie tins or resealable bags are all great options.
• Keep the container in a cool, dry and dark place at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

How long will white trash mix last?

Properly stored, white trash Chex mix will stay fresh for 4 days at room temperature. Alternatively, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Can you freeze white chocolate Chex mix?

You can freeze white trash Chex mix; however, I recommend substituting the pretzels with a different tasty mix-in, such as granola clusters (refer to the comprehensive list above for more substitution ideas!). I don’t recommend freezing pretzels because the moisture in the freezer may cause the pretzels to get soft and taste stale.

This sweet Chex Mix freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw the mix at room temperature before serving or enjoying!

Salty, sweet, and absolutely perfect for snacking, you’ll love this chex mix sweet recipe! Crispity, crunchity, ideally salty, perfectly sweet, and supremely delicious, this white trash snack mix is kind of impossible to resist. (Sorry not sorry?) 😉

Until next time, friends, cheers!

Cheyanne

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More delicious savory and sweet snack mixes!

If you love this easy salty-sweet Chex mix, try one of these recipes next!

• Spiced Mixed Nuts
• Cinnamon Apple Granola
• Chocolatey Granola

The best White Trash Chex Mix recipe👇

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