Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix Recipe

Meet your new party favorite: Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix! This festive and colorful treat is the ultimate quick no-bake recipe that looks every bit as delightful as it tastes. With crunchy, sweet, and salty bites speckled in patriotic hues, it’s a guaranteed hit for holidays, BBQs, or any get-together that calls for a little fun and a pop of color.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix comes together with a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, each bringing a special something to the mix—think crunch, sweetness, a touch of salty goodness, and bright pops of color. Here’s the scoop on each element and why it matters.

• Red Candy Melts: These give the Chex that festive red color and a creamy candy shell that’s so fun to crunch.
• Blue Candy Melts: For bold blue-coated cereal, perfect for standing out in the mix—use a good quality for the prettiest pop of color.
• Rice Chex Cereal: The classic base for snack mixes—crunchy but gentle enough to soak up all that sweet coating.
• Confectioners Sugar: Tossed with the coated cereal to keep pieces from sticking, plus it adds a sweet, powdery finish.
• Vegetable Shortening: Makes melting the candy melts smooth and dippable, so every Chex square gets evenly covered.
• Red, White & Blue M&Ms: These add color and a snappy, chocolatey surprise in every handful.
• Yogurt Covered Raisins: Chewy, creamy, and sweet—they sneak in a fruity flavor that breaks up all the crunch.
• Yogurt Covered Pretzels: Salty, sweet, and just the right amount of bite for a perfectly balanced snack.

Variations

The beauty of this mix is how incredibly easy it is to tweak! You can adjust for dietary needs, add more crunch, change flavors—or just use what you already have in the pantry. Here are a few favorite riffs on classic Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix.

• Dairy-Free Option: Swap yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels for plain raisins and salty pretzel twists—just as tasty, and allergy friendly.
• Add Popcorn: Stir in a cup or two of air-popped popcorn for extra volume and that irresistible toasty crunch.
• Nut Lover’s Version: Toss in roasted almonds or peanuts for a little protein and a boost of flavor in every bite.
• Colorful Candy Swap: Change up the M&Ms with any seasonal colors or different candies to match other holidays or themes.

How to Make Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix

Step 1: Melt and Prep the Candy Coating

Start by gently melting your red candy melts with a tablespoon of vegetable shortening—you can use a microwave in quick 30-second bursts (stirring each time!), or a double boiler if you prefer. While that’s melting, set up your “chex station” with a big zip-top bag filled with some confectioners sugar, and lay out a sheet of parchment or wax paper for cooling.

Step 2: Coat the Chex Cereal

Once your red candy is silky-smooth, add a cup of Rice Chex and stir gently to coat every square. Spoon that vibrant cereal into your prepared bag, seal, and shake with powdered sugar until each piece is beautifully dusted—like sweet, edible confetti! Sift off any excess sugar and spread the coated cereal in a single layer on parchment to set. Repeat the whole process again with the blue candy melts and another cup of Chex.

Step 3: Assemble the Snack Mix

Once both your red and blue coated Chex are totally cooled (they’ll be dry and slightly firm to the touch), it’s time for the best part—assembly! Toss the cereal, yogurt pretzels, yogurt-covered raisins, and red, white, and blue M&Ms in a big bowl. Give everything a gentle mix to evenly distribute the colorful bits, and you’re officially ready to party!

How to Serve Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix

Garnishes

For an extra-festive touch, sprinkle a few edible silver stars, holiday sprinkles, or extra red, white, and blue M&Ms on top right before serving! This will take your Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix from “yum” to “wow” on any snack table.

Side Dishes

This snack mix pairs perfectly with classic summer party fare—think fresh watermelon slices, lemonade, sandwiches, or a vibrant fruit salad. It’s equally great on a dessert bar with cookies, brownies, or mini cupcakes for all-out celebratory vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

Scoop the Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix into mason jars with festive ribbon for grab-and-go party favors, serve it in popcorn boxes for movie nights, or fill a big clear trifle bowl to showcase all those gorgeous layers at a gathering. It even makes a fun centerpiece for a patriotic tablescape!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Just make sure the lid is on tight—nobody likes stale pretzels or soggy cereal!

Freezing

Believe it or not, you can freeze this snack mix! Place in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to one month. Let it come to room temp before serving to keep everything crisp and delicious.

Reheating

This snack mix doesn’t really need reheating—just let it come to room temperature if chilled. If the pretzels lose a bit of crunch, pop the mix (minus any candies) into a low oven for a few minutes, then cool completely before adding the candies back in.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you want a snack that’s as joyful to look at as it is to eat, you can’t go wrong with Red, White, and Blue Snack Mix. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and makes every moment just a little bit sweeter, crunchier, and more colorful. So go ahead—make a big batch, share with friends, and let the celebrations begin!

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