Monster Munch is the perfect sweet and salty snack! Just coat cereal and pretzels in white chocolate, then mix in candy and peanuts for a fun treat.

Monster Munch in a ghost bowl for a fun Halloween treat.
chelsea

author’s note

The Halloween Treat That Disappears in Minutes!

Halloween holds a special place in my heart. As soon as September hits (okay, even August), I’m in full Halloween mode. Every year, I like to create something festive that’s easy enough to whip up on a busy weeknight but still gets the kids excited.

This year, I wanted something sweet, crunchy, and just a little spooky. After testing a few different snack mixes, I landed on this Monster Munch, and it quickly became my favorite.

I served it in a ghost-shaped bowl during movie night, and my kids loved it.

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All the ingredients int his recipe prepped out for easy assembly including the cereals, oil, sprinkles, peanuts, and M&Ms.

Monster Munch Ingredients

IngredientSwaps or Tips
Honey Nut ChexUse Rice Chex or Corn Chex if you prefer.
Mini pretzelsPretzel rods or snaps work. Break them up first.
Peanut Butter Captain CrunchRegular Captain Crunch (no berries) also works.
CheeriosHoney Nut Cheerios are great too. Or skip if you want fewer cereals.
M\&M’s (Halloween colors)Reese’s Pieces, Sixlets, or pick out colors from regular M\&M’s.
Honey-roasted peanuts (optional)Use dry-roasted peanuts or omit for nut-free.
White chocolate chipsAlmond bark melts smooth too. Use quality chips for best flavor.
Vegetable oil or shorteningCoconut oil works too.
Halloween sprinklesGhosts, pumpkins, bats, or any festive shapes you find.
Combine cereals, pretzels and nuts; add M&M's; combine white chocolate and oil; melt to create a smooth mixture for this monster munch.

How To Make Monster Munch

  1. Prep the Pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
  2. Mix: In a large bowl, combine cereals, pretzels, and candy. Add peanuts if using.
  3. Melt Chocolate: Heat white chocolate with a little oil until smooth.
  4. Combine: Pour the chocolate over the mix and stir gently until everything is coated.
  5. Add Toppings: Spread onto the lined pan and sprinkle with extra candy and sprinkles.
  6. Chill & Break: Refrigerate until hardened, then break into bite-sized pieces.
Add white chocolate to the snack mix; toss until well coated; add to pan; top with sprinkles.

Tips For Success

  • Use fresh cereal so it stays crisp.
  • Don’t overheat chocolate. Melt in short bursts or use a double boiler.
  • Work quickly since white chocolate hardens fast.
  • Press sprinkles on while warm so they stick.
  • Gift it by bagging pieces in cellophane bags and tying with orange and black ribbons.

Storage


Store Monster Munch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or bag for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or enjoy directly from the freezer!

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Monster Munch

Monster Munch is the ultimate Halloween treat! Crunchy cereal and pretzels coated in white chocolate, mixed with candy and peanuts—sweet, salty, and spooky fun!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Setting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Video

Equipment

  • Large sheet pan (15" x 21")
  • Parchment paper or aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat

Ingredients

Instructions 

  • Line a large sheet pan with parchment, a liner, or foil and set aside.
  • In a very large bowl, combine the first six ingredients.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring every 20 seconds until melted and smooth.
  • Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mix, using a spatula to scrape it all out. Mix gently until well-coated, then spread evenly on the prepared sheet pan.
  • Quickly, while the white chocolate is still wet, press extra M&M’s on top for added color. If desired, add Halloween sprinkles. Work fast before the chocolate hardens!
  • Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes until hardened, then break into bite-sized pieces.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: I love Peanut Butter Captain Crunch in Monster Munch, but if peanut butter isn’t your thing, the original Captain Crunch (no berries) works well. If buying three cereals is too much, just use more of the other two.
Note 2: Halloween-themed M&M’s were used here, but regular M&M’s can work by picking out the festive colors. For extra peanut flavor, Reese’s Pieces are a great choice and already come in Halloween colors.
Note 3: A regular mix of sprinkles works well—just use the orange, green, and purple ones for this snack mix.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Best enjoyed within 3–4 days. Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 57.8g | Protein: 10.6g | Fat: 25.5g | Cholesterol: 8.9mg | Sodium: 173.2mg | Fiber: 3.6g | Sugar: 36g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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