Home > Holidays > Halloween > Monster Munch Monster Munch September 30, 2023 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Monster Munch Halloween snack mix is the ultimate sweet and salty combo! Coat crunchy cereal and pretzels in creamy white chocolate–then stir in candy bits and roasted peanuts. This fun treat brings out the Halloween spirit in every bite! Monster Munch (Halloween Snack Mix) Halloween holds a special place in my heart. As soon as the calendar flips to September (okay, and maybe a bit of August, too), I’m in full Halloween mode, dedicating hours each week to creating fun Halloween treats. Whether it’s for my kids, their friends, or any of the countless events throughout these months, there’s nothing more fun than serving up a festively spooky treat. And this year, I’m sharing a Halloween-themed snack mix that’s the stuff of legends! Now, while the Halloween-colored M&M’s and sprinkles definitely give this mix its spooky flair, serving it in a ghost-shaped bowl? That’s the pièce de résistance. But let’s move beyond the aesthetics. This Monster Munch isn’t just about the appearance. Just as important, it’s also incredibly delicious! I’m not exaggerating when I say it might be my all-time favorite snack mix. The MVPs in this mix? Three types of cereals, with Honey Nut Chex being the standout. Trust me, it transforms the snack mix game. Then, we’ve got the honey-roasted peanuts. If you’re on the fence about adding nuts, let this sweetened version convince you. The balance between sweet and salty, combined with that irresistible crunch, makes this mix a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Monster Munch Ingredients Honey Nut Chex cereal: While you can use regular Chex or even Rice Chex, I’m going to try and convince you to try Honey Nut Chex in this Monster Munch. The flavor and hint of sweetness it packs? Nothing beats it! Miniature pretzel twists or pretzel rods: Whichever shape you’ve got, it’ll work in this mix. Just remember to coarsely break them up before mixing them in. Peanut Butter Captain Crunch: We’re obsessed with the flavor of peanut butter Captain Crunch! It’s a favorite. But, hey, if you’re not a fan of peanut butter, the original Captain Crunch (skip the berries) fits the bill nicely. Cheerios or another toasted oat cereal: Between you and me, Honey Nut Cheerios reign supreme. But if you’re not sure about purchasing three types of cereal for this one mix, just sub in more of the other two cereals in this Monster Munch recipe. M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces: For that splash of color and a sweet crunch, we add in some Halloween-themed M&M’s. If you can’t find Halloween-themed ones, grab a standard M&M’s bag instead, and pick out the festive colors. And if you’re in the mood for more peanut goodness? Reese’s Pieces bring that flavor home and bonus: They’re already colored for Halloween! QUICK TIP This Monster Munch recipe uses several name-brand products: M&M’s, Honey Nut Chex, Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch, Cheerios, Reese’s Pieces, Ghirardelli, and Guittard. We refer to these trademarked products because they’re so easy to picture. You can certainly use different brands of similar items, but we’ve tested these particular products and are pleased with the quality. Ingredients, Continued Honey roasted peanuts (optional): This ingredient is where that sweet and salty magic happens in this Monster Munch. Honey roasted peanuts pack a punch of flavor and such a great crunch. But if you can’t find them, dry roasted peanuts work well too. White chocolate chips: It’s a truth universally acknowledged: the better the quality of your chips, the creamier the melt and the better the flavor. Vegetable oil or shortening: Here’s a behind-the-scenes MVP. Oil helps us achieve that silky-smooth chocolate melt. Halloween sprinkles (optional): Last but not least, if you’re feeling extra festive, throw in some sprinkles. Whether they’re pumpkins, bats, or just colorful bits, they add a dash of Halloween spirit to every bite! How To Make Monster Munch (Tips) Freshness first: Always use fresh ingredients, especially cereals. Stale cereals are no good here! Choose quality white chocolate: Not all white chocolates are created equal. For the best results, choose a brand that has a good reputation for melting smoothly and tasting good. My favorites are Ghirardelli and Guittard. Mix gently: When mixing the white chocolate with the cereals and other ingredients, be gentle to avoid breaking the cereals too much. Temperature matters: Allow the mix to set in a cool room or in the fridge. Chilling it in the fridge will make it firm up faster. Work quickly: White chocolate hardens fast, so toss everything with the melted chocolate and work quickly. You’ll also want to add sprinkles right after drizzling on the white chocolate so they’ll stick. Melt carefully: When melting the white chocolate for Monster Munch, always use short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between to prevent burning. If you’re using a stovetop, using a double-boiler method can ensure gentle and even melting. Presentation: If gifting or taking to a party, consider dividing the mix into cellophane bags tied with orange and black ribbons. STORAGE Monster Munch Storing Tips Store Monster Munch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. We like this snack mix best within four days. You can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container or bag for up to three months; thaw at room temperature (or enjoy right from the freezer — delish!). More Halloween Fun: Halloween Treat Bag Toppers with FREE printable bag toppers Halloween Rice Krispie Treats decorated eight different ways! Four-Ingredient Halloween Treats Monster eyeballs, witches hats, witches brooms, and bats Halloween Donuts We’re using store-bought donuts and decorating them! Four Easy Halloween Cookies using store-bought or homemade cookies FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Monster Munch 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe Monster Munch is the ultimate sweet and salty combo! Coat crunchy cereal and pretzels in creamy white chocolate--then add candy bits and roasted peanuts. This fun treat brings out the Halloween spirit in every bite! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Monster Munch 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Monster Munch is the ultimate sweet and salty combo! Coat crunchy cereal and pretzels in creamy white chocolate--then add candy bits and roasted peanuts. This fun treat brings out the Halloween spirit in every bite! Course Dessert, treat Cuisine American, Vegetarian Keyword Halloween snack mix, monster munch Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Setting Time 30 minutes minutes Total Time 50 minutes minutes Servings 12 servings Chelsea Lords Calories 487kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $6.98 Ingredients▢ 2 cups honey nut Chex cereal▢ 1 cup miniature pretzel twists or pretzel sticks,, broken in half▢ 2 cups peanut butter Captain Crunch (Note 1)▢ 2 cups honey nut Cheerios or other toasted oat cereal▢ 1 cup M&Ms or Reese's Pieces (Note 2)▢ 1 cup honey roasted peanuts, optional▢ 1½ bags (3 cups) white chocolate chips▢ 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or shortening▢ Optional: Halloween sprinkles (Note 3) InstructionsPREP: Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper, liner, or foil and set aside.COMBINE: In a very large bowl combine the first six ingredients.MELT WHITE CHOCOLATE: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips with oil. Microwave in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 20 seconds until melted and smooth. MIX SNACK MIX: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture. Use a spatula to ensure you get all the chocolate out. Mix gently yet thoroughly, ensuring the cereal mix is well-coated with the white chocolate. Spread this mixture evenly onto the prepared sheet pan. OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Quickly, while the white chocolate is still wet, press some additional M&M's on top if desired, for added color. If you want, add the Halloween sprinkles over the top. Work quickly before the chocolate hardens!LET HARDEN: Pop the mix in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until hardened. Once set, break the mixture into bite-sized pieces.STORAGE: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. We like this snack mix best within 3-4 days. You can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature. Video Recipe NotesNote 1: Peanut Butter Captain Crunch: We're obsessed with the flavor of this cereal. But, if you're not a fan of peanut butter, the original Captain Crunch (skip the berries) works perfectly here. Also, if you're not sure about purchasing three types of cereal for this one mix, just sub in more of the other two cereals. Note 2: M&M's or Reese's Pieces: We've added in Halloween-themed M&M's. If you can't find Halloween-themed ones, just grab a standard M&M bag instead, and pick out the festive colors. And if you’re in the mood for more peanut goodness? Reese's Pieces bring that flavor home, and bonus they're already colored for Halloween! Note 3: Sprinkles: I purchase this regular colored mix of sprinkles then use the orange, green, and purple in this snack mix. Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 57.8g | Protein: 10.6g | Fat: 25.5g | Cholesterol: 8.9mg | Sodium: 173.2mg | Fiber: 3.6g | Sugar: 36g We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
