Sweet and Spicy Frito Snack Mix puts a playful spin on the classic party mix by making Frito corn chips the star. If you’ve ever wondered how a sweet, spicy caramel glaze tastes on corn chips, this is the recipe to try.
Inspired by Cookies and Cups
If you enjoy party mixes, also try Spring Chex Party Mix or Sweet Heat Texas Trash for more crowd-pleasing snack ideas.
Why You’ll Love Sweet and Spicy Frito Snack Mix
- An irresistible crunchy snack
- Only needs to bake for 15 minutes
- The perfect balance of sweet, salty, and a kick of spice
- Simple to prepare
- Ideal for game night or casual gatherings
This Sweet and Spicy Frito Snack Mix is addictive: salty Fritos corn chips combine with rice Chex, pretzels and mixed nuts, all coated in a rich caramel glaze spiced with chili and cayenne. The result is a crunchy, sweet-savory snack with a pleasant heat—perfect for sharing.
The Fritos corn chips are the game changer. Their corn flavor and sturdy crunch transform a familiar party mix into something unexpected. Set a bowl out when guests arrive and it will vanish fast.
Key Ingredients
Below are the main ingredients; exact measurements appear in the recipe card further down.
- Fritos Corn Chips — lightly salted or regular; they bring corn flavor and texture.
- Rice Chex cereal — adds light, airy crunch that complements the chips.
- Pretzels — mini twists or your preferred shape work well and hold up to the glaze.
- Mixed nuts — any combination you like adds richness and variety.
- M&M’s — chocolate balance and a pop of color; add after baking to avoid melting.
- Sweet and spicy glaze — brown sugar, light corn syrup, butter, chili powder and cayenne for heat and caramel flavor.
Additional Add-Ins To Try
Customize this mix with a few swaps or additions, but don’t skip the corn chips.
- Cereal: Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Cheerios, or Golden Grahams.
- Crackers: Oyster crackers, Cheez-Its, or Ritz crackers.
- Candy: Dark chocolate chunks, mini marshmallows, candy corn, or chocolate-covered raisins.
- Nuts: Peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts.
Important Tip
- The glaze sets quickly, so work fast when coating the crunchy ingredients to ensure even coverage before it hardens.
Step By Step Directions
See full instructions and measurements in the recipe card below.
Step One. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the Fritos, Chex cereal, pretzels and mixed nuts in a large bowl. Reserve the M&M’s or other candies to add after baking.
Step Two. In a small saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar, light corn syrup, chili powder and cayenne over medium-low heat. Bring to a medium simmer and let it bubble for about 4 minutes until it turns an amber caramel color.
Step Three. Immediately pour the hot glaze over the crunchy mixture and toss quickly with a large spatula until well coated. Spread the coated mix on a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper and lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
Step Four. Bake for 8 minutes, stir gently, then bake another 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes until it’s cool enough to handle. Break into clusters, sprinkle the M&M’s over the top (do not stir while hot), then let the mix cool completely before serving.
Tips
- Wait to add candy until after baking. Adding chocolate or candy while the mix is hot will cause it to melt and affect appearance.
- Watch the baking time closely. The glaze browns quickly; set a timer to prevent burning.
- Work quickly when coating. The glaze firms fast, so toss and spread the mix without delay for even coverage.
Storing Frito Snack Mix
- Once completely cooled, store the mix in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Properly stored, it will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
More Snacks To Enjoy
- Classic Oven Baked Chex Party Mix
- Sweet and Spicy Fall Chex Mix
- White Christmas Chex Party Mix
- Cowboy Chocolate Bark
Sweet and Spicy Frito Snack Mix
Equipment
-
1 large bowl
-
1 small saucepan
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1 large sheet pan
Ingredients
- 1 (9) ounce bag Fritos corn chips, lightly salted or regular
- 2 cups Chex rice cereal
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
- 1 ½ cups mixed nuts
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp) I use salted
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup M&M’s chocolate candy
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350℉. Prepare a large sheet pan generously with non-stick cooking spray, then lay down a piece of parchment paper, followed by another coating of non-stick spray.
Prepare Crunchy Ingredients
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Combine all the crunchy ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Make sure to leave out the M&M’s or any other candy/chocolate you might be using.
9 ounce bag Fritos corn chips
2 cups Chex rice cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
1 ½ cups mixed nuts
Make Sweet and Spicy Glaze
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In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter with brown sugar, light corn syrup, and spices. Bring to a medium simmer and allow to bubble for 4 minutes until caramel colored.
1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Bake
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Immediately pour glaze over crunchy mixture and toss with a large spatula until well combined. The glaze will harden fast so work quickly. Transfer mixture to your prepared sheet pan and place in the oven to bake for 8 minutes. Give it a toss and bake another 8 minutes.
Cool
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Remove pan from the oven and allow the mixture to cool at least 15 minutes or until it’s not too sticky. Break into pieces large and small, then add your M&M’s candy over the top without stirring. Let the snack mix cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
1 cup M&M’s candy
Notes
Storing Snack Mix
Make sure the snack mix is completely cooled before placing it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
See the post for additional tips and suggestions.
Nutritional facts are for 1 cup of snack mix and are provided as an estimate.
Nutrition
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