Name: Patriotic Party Mix
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups Chex cereal; 3 cups Cheerios; 2 cups pretzel snaps (or sticks broken in half); 1½ cups dry roasted peanuts; ½ cup roasted almonds; 1 cup red M&M’s; 1 cup blue M&M’s; ½ cup white chocolate chips or Candiquik; 2 tablespoons festive red, white, and blue sprinkles

A festive, sweet-and-salty snack mix bursting in red, white, and blue—perfect for Independence Day celebrations, summer gatherings, or any time I want a playful, crowd-pleasing bite. Patriotic Party Mix

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I adore how easy this comes together in minutes with no baking required, and it’s endlessly customizable. The mix of crunchy cereal, nuts, pretzels, and colorful candies hits every craving—from salty to sweet. It’s always a hit, and I love how it brightens up any party table!

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

4 cups Chex cereal
3 cups Cheerios
2 cups pretzel snaps (or sticks broken in half)
1½ cups dry roasted peanuts
½ cup roasted almonds
1 cup red M&M’s
1 cup blue M&M’s
½ cup white chocolate chips or Candiquik
2 tablespoons festive red, white, and blue sprinkles

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the Chex cereal, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and almonds.
In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the snack mixture, gently stirring to coat evenly.
While the chocolate is still wet, fold in the red and blue M&M’s and sprinkles.
Spread the mix in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Let it sit at room temperature until the chocolate sets, about 15–20 minutes.
Break into clusters and serve immediately, or store once completely cooled.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12 cups—perfect for serving 12–15 people as a snack. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to set. If you’re making ahead, give yourself 30 minutes to prep and cool before serving.

Variations

Nut-free version: Swap nuts for extra pretzels, Cheerios, or pumpkin seeds.
Chocolate lovers: Use dark or milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate.
Extra crunch: Add ½ cup mini pretzel twists or corn chips.
Patriotic pop: Substitute sprinkles with mini stars or edible glitter for extra celebration.

Storage/Reheating

To store: Place cooled mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To refresh: Warm gently in a 200°F oven for 5 minutes if it loses crunch.

FAQs

What cereal works best for this mix?

I like using a combination of Chex and Cheerios for varied texture. You can substitute Rice Chex or Cheerios with any of their whole-grain versions, and it still turns out delicious.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes! I often make it a day ahead. Store it in an airtight container, and it stays crunchy for about 5 days.

What if I don’t have M&M’s?

I’ll use any red, white, and blue candy—like Skittles, chocolate-coated sunflower seeds, or colored sprinkles to keep it festive.

Is it gluten-free?

Only if you use certified gluten-free cereals and pretzels. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

How do I keep the mix from sticking together?

Allow the chocolate to set fully by spreading it on parchment and letting it sit undisturbed at room temperature. Once set, it breaks apart easily into clusters.

Conclusion

This Patriotic Party Mix is one of my favorite go-to treats for summer celebrations—colorful, crunchy, and effortlessly festive. Whether I’m prepping for guests or whipping up an easy snack, it never disappoints. I hope making and munching on this bright, cheerful mix brings you as much joy as it does me!