Pumpkin pie snack mix is an easy slow cooker Chex mix treat you won't be able to get enough of. This yummy goodie has all the flavors of fall wrapped up in one irresistible snack!
What is it with pumpkin pie spice? When fall rolls around it seems to be everywhere!
As far as I can tell, its main purpose is right there in the name: Pumpkin - Pie - Spice. Yet somehow, people have decided to make fall treats with it that are clearly not pumpkin pie.
From hummus to cheesecake and from chili to coffee, if you can cook it, someone out there has put a pumpkin spice twist on it. Interested in pumpkin pie spiced wings? There is a recipe for that. Pumpkin pie spiced spinach dip? Yep! It’s a thing. People are clearly obsessed.
Well, I am off..... I still have half a jar of this delicious recipe left. I need to go eat it before everyone else gets home!
📝Shopping list
To make this easy recipe you will need:
- Cinnamon Chex Cereal
- Corn Chex Cereal
- Graham Squares Cereal (see below for allergy substitutions)
- Honey Nut Cheerios (see below for allergy substituions)
- Dried cranberries
- Butter - or dairy-free equivalent
- Light Brown Sugar - or sugar-free sweetener of choice
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Vanilla extract - I prefer pure vanilla extract
↔️Substitutions
- To make this pumpkin harvest Chex mix dairy-free, replace butter with ½ cup dairy-free buttery spread such as Earths Balance.
- For a delicious treat that is nut-free, swap Honey Nut Cheerios for Maple Cheerios
- To make a gluten-free pumpkin pie spice Chex mix, be sure to use a gluten-free Graham Square cereal.
🧑🍳Instructions
Start by placing all cereals into your slow cooker. Add in dried cranberries and stir to combine.
Microwave butter or butter substitute in a small bowl or microwave-safe measuring cup (as shown). Add sweetener, vanilla, and spices to melted butter and fully mix. Next, pour wet mixture over your cereal mixture and toss until cereal is fully coated.
Cook on high heat with the lid OFF. Use a wooden spoon to stir mixture every 15-20 minutes. You will want to keep a careful eye on your mixture as pieces on the bottom will burn if they are not stirred frequently.
After 2 hours, turn off your slow cooker and allow your snack mix to cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, scoop out a bit for yourself and hide it! The rest will be gobbled up in a matter of minutes!
Storing
This Chex mix recipe should be stored in an airtight container or bag. It will stay fresh for 4-6 weeks. However, none has ever actually existed that long.
😉Hints & hacks
- I used McCormick’s Pumpkin Pie Spice to make this and it was delicious.
- If you prefer to make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice mix, this recipe sounds great.
- Homemade Chex mix makes a great gift! I like to package it up in different-sized canning jars (available at any local grocery store). Add a bow or ribbon and you have a great handmade gift to share.
- This is a great fall snack to serve at everything from a football game to a road trip to a Halloween party.
- This is the perfect way to keep the troupes satiated while you wait for your Turkey and stuffing to finish up on Thanksgiving!
- Interested in turning this crockpot pumpkin spice Chex mix into a tasty trail mix? Stir in one cup of peanuts, one cup of roasted pumpkin seeds, and one cup Reese's pieces towards the end of the cooking time. After it cools, white chocolate chips make a nice addition too. And...If you are a huge fan of candy corn, you can toss in a cupful of that as well!
- I always use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. This recipe works well with parchment paper.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I am obsessed with my casserole crockpot!
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Lazy Pumpkin Snack Mix Recipe
Equipment
- 6 qt slow cooker (or 3.5 quart casserole crockpot)
- Mixing Spoon
- microwave or other method of melting butter
- small mixing bowl
- parchment paper (or slow cooker liner)
Ingredients
Mix
- 2 cups Cinnamon Chex Cereal
- 2 cups Corn Chex Cereal
- 2 cups Honey Nut Chex Cereal For nut free, use vanilla Chex or snack sized pretzels
- 1 cup graham squares cereal for gluten free, substitute with Honey Nut Cheerios or Maple Cheerios
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Coating
- ½ cup butter for dairy free substitute with a dairy free butter option such as Smart Balance
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- place slow cooker liner or parchment paper into slow cooker (I strongly recommend using one of these for this recipe)
- add listed amount of all 4 cereals and cranberries2 cups Cinnamon Chex Cereal, 2 cups Corn Chex Cereal, 2 cups Honey Nut Chex Cereal, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup graham squares cereal
- stir to mix
- in a separate bowl, melt butter ( I use a microwave)½ cup butter
- add brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla to butter and stir¼ cup brown sugar, 1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- pour butter mixture over cereal mix and stir well to fully coat.
- cook uncovered on HIGH for 2 hours. Stir mixture every 15 - 20 minutes. This is an important step - with out it, snack mix will burn on the bottom.
- after 2 hours, remove ceramic pot from slow cooker and allow mixture to cool before serving. If you used a liner or parchment paper, you can remove your mixture from your slow cooker to cool faster. Careully use the sides of the liner or parchment paper as handles to lift the mixture out of the hot slow cooker.
- Remove a few cups worth of mixture and hide it somewhere for yourself because the rest will go fast!
Nutrition
Great Crockpot Snacks To Gift (Or Eat Yourself!)
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