Fall Snack Mix

This sweet and salty fall snack mix tosses kettle corn, crunchy Rice Chex, mini pretzels and marshmallows with candy corn, mellowcreme pumpkins and fall-colored Reese's Pieces. It takes ten minutes, needs no oven, and it's one of the easiest fall snack ideas to bring to a party!

Don't you just love everything about fall? The changing leaves, sweater weather, and pumpkin recipes galore! I also love a snack that matches the season, and this one is all oranges, yellows and browns. Set out a big bowl for guests while you get the main course ready, pack it into bags for school parties, or keep it on the couch for your favorite Halloween movie. It's the kind of autumn snack that disappears fast.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Kettle corn. Lightly sweet and salty, it's the base of the mix. A bag of microwave kettle corn is the easiest route, but any popped popcorn works, including plain air-popped.
• Rice Chex cereal. I like Rice Chex because it's gluten-free and stays crisp. Corn Chex, Cheerios or even cinnamon Life cereal (which is what you'll see in these photos) are all good swaps.
• Mini pretzels. They bring the salty crunch that keeps all that candy in balance. Use mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks, and choose a gluten-free brand if you need the whole mix to be gluten-free.
• Vegan mini marshmallows. Regular marshmallows are made with gelatin, so I always reach for a gelatin-free brand like GoodMallow mini vegan marshmallows or Dandies.
• Candy corn. Some candy corn contains gelatin, so read the label. Jelly Belly candy corn is a gelatin-free option I like.
• Mellowcreme pumpkins. The pumpkin-shaped cousin of candy corn. You can find candy pumpkins on Amazon, but brands vary, so check the ingredients for gelatin before you buy.
• Reese's Pieces. The fall-colored bags (orange, yellow and brown) look great here, but a regular bag of Reese's Pieces is just as tasty. They contain milk, so swap in a dairy-free candy-coated chocolate if you're making this vegan.

Helpful Tips

Layer from light to heavy. My one pro tip: put the kettle corn in the bowl first, then add the cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, candy corn, candy pumpkins and Reese's Pieces, in that order. The small, heavy candy sinks to the bottom as you stir, so starting it on top helps it stay spread through every layer.

Toss gently with a big spoon. Use a bowl that's larger than you think you need and fold the mix with a wide spoon or spatula. Stirring hard breaks the popcorn and cereal into crumbs.

Let fresh popcorn cool completely. If you pop your own, spread it out and let it cool before mixing. Warm popcorn softens the marshmallows and makes the candy coating on the Reese's Pieces sticky.

Check every label. Halloween candy is where sneaky non-vegetarian ingredients hide, and gelatin is the main culprit. Candy corn, mellowcreme pumpkins and marshmallows are the three to double-check. If you need the mix gluten-free, the pretzels are the only ingredient to watch.

Mix it close to serving time. The mix keeps for a few days, but the popcorn is at its crunchiest the day you make it. For a party, measure everything into separate containers ahead of time and toss it together an hour or two before guests arrive.

Variations

• Nutty mix. Add a cup of roasted peanuts, pecans or roasted hazelnuts for more crunch and a little protein.
• Pumpkin spice mix. Toss the popcorn, cereal and pretzels with a tablespoon of melted vegan butter and a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice before adding the candy.
• Chocolate drizzle. Spread the finished mix on a lined baking sheet, drizzle with melted chocolate and let it set, then break it into clusters.
• Fruity mix. Add dried cranberries, banana chips or chopped dried apples for a less sugary blend.
• Fully vegan. Use vegan marshmallows, gelatin-free candy and a dairy-free candy-coated chocolate in place of the Reese's Pieces.
• Halloween mix. Swap in candy eyeballs, orange and black candy-coated chocolates, or pumpkin-shaped pretzels.

Serving Ideas

I love to make things fun and pour the fall snack mix into a ceramic pumpkin bowl. Then not only does it taste great, it looks great too! For parties, scoop it into cellophane treat bags tied with orange ribbon, or set out paper cups next to a big bowl so everyone can help themselves. It also makes a fun table decoration, and it's even great for candy corn crafts with the kids.

Because it's so sweet, I like to serve it alongside something savory. If you're putting it out before dinner, follow it with a cozy main like butternut squash curry. For a Halloween movie night, pair it with caramel popcorn balls, mummy cupcakes and a warm mug of mulled sparkling apple cider.

Storing & Freezing

Store the snack mix in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. There's no need to refrigerate it; the fridge actually makes the popcorn and pretzels go soft faster. Keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from the stove, so the candy doesn't get sticky.

I don't recommend freezing this mix. The popcorn and cereal pick up moisture as they thaw and turn chewy, and the candy coatings can crack or sweat. It's so quick to make that it's better to mix a fresh batch, or to store the dry ingredients and the candy separately and combine them when you're ready to serve.

If you're here planning your holiday menu, don't miss our new Vegan Christmas and Vegan Thanksgiving cookbooks. They're packed with all my favorite holiday-worthy recipes for a plant-based feast.

More Fall Snack Ideas

If you loved this recipe, here are a few more autumn snacks and treats you might enjoy:

• Caramel Popcorn Balls (with Chocolate Drizzle!)
• Halloween Oreo Pops
• Soft and Chewy Spiced Apple Rings
• 35+ Tasty Fall Desserts
• Best Vegetarian Recipes for Fall

📖 Recipe