4th Of July Chex Mix (Red, White, & Blue Snack)
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for details.
If there’s a holiday on the calendar, you better believe I’ve got a snack mix for it. Around here, I’ve proudly claimed the title of Chief Snack Mix Coordinator—and I take my duties seriously. With over 10,000 shares between my sweet Easter Chex Mix and Christmas Chex Mix, it’s safe to say I’ve earned my stripes (and maybe a few sprinkles). This 4th of July Snack Mix is the latest in my festive lineup, and trust me, it’s as red, white, and boom as it gets.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy 4th of July dessert – so fast to make and makes enough for a crowd.
- Perfect for parties, BBQs, and watching the fireworks– Low effort, high impact 4th of July snack idea.
- Kid-approved– so much fun to make with kids, no matter what age they are!
- Customizable– use whatever cereals or candies you have on hand.
- Festive and colorful– It’s the perfect way to show up for a fun theme with very low effort!
Ingredients For A Patriotic Snack Mix
Here’s what you’ll need to make this festive red, white, and blue snack mix. It’s a variation of my super popular Easter Bunny Bait and Christmas White Trash recipes.
- Rice Chex cereal – the classic base for every great mix.
- Cheerios – Any flavor will do!
- Bugles corn snacks– there’s nothing more ‘murican than a cruncy corn snack. If you can’t find Bugles, mini pretzel twists will work great!.
- Popped popcorn– you can pop it yourself, or buy it already popped. I’ve used sea salt, butter popcorn, and movie theater butter flavored. They all taste great and work well in this recipe.
- White almond bark or Vanilla-flavored melting wafers – this is the coating that covers all the cereal and salty snacks. As the candy coating hardens, it creates a “bark” that you can break into snackable pieces.
- Red, white, and blue M&Ms – the star of the show.
- Star-shaped sprinkles or patriotic colored sprinkles – the sprinkles drive the theme home.
Instructions
Step 1:
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a big mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, Cheerios, Bugles, and popcorn.
Step 2:
Melt the candy melts slowly. Use the microwave in short 15–30 second bursts, stirring between each burst. You can also melt the candy coating in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Step 3:
Pour the melted coating over the snack mix.
Stir gently with a rubber spatula until everything is covered evenly.
Spread the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Step 4:
While the coating is still wet, sprinkle on the M&Ms and star-shaped sprinkles.
Pop the tray into the fridge for 10–15 minutes or let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until the coating is fully set.
Once the candy coating hardens and doesn’t feel sticky, break into chunks and serve!
Tips for the Best 4th of July Snack Mix
- Don’t rush the melting process:melt the candy coating slowly to avoid burning or seizing.
- Be gentle when stirring: This keeps all the crunchy stuff in one piece.
- Add the sprinkles and M&Ms while the coating is still wet: This way the candy sticks to all the other ingredients instead of falling to the bottom of the bowl.
- Speed Tip: Chill the snack mix to set it in minutes. Almond bark hardens super fast in the cold.
Storage Instructions
Store your Chex mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also portion the mix into clear treat bags or jars to give out at cookouts, parades, or parties.
Variations and Swaps
- Use pretzel sticks or mini twists in place of Bugles.
- White chocolate chips can be used in place of almond bark. I recommend melting them over a double boiler and chilling for a quicker set time.
- Add mini marshmallows, red licorice bites, or dried blueberries and strawberries.
- Make it gluten-free with gluten-free cereals and pretzels—just check the candy labels carefully.
More 4th Of July Desserts
More Easy Snack Mix Ideas
Save This Recipe
Just enter your email below and we will send this recipe right to your inbox, plus we will send more yummy recipes and ideas.
4th of July Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups Bugles corn snacks or pretzel twists
- 2 cups butter flavored popcorn, popped
- 16 oz white almond bark or vanilla flavored melting wafers
- 10 oz 1 1/2 cups Red, White, and Blue colored M&Ms
- 2 tablespoons of star shaped sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the Chex cereal, Cheerios, Bugles, and popcorn.
- Melt the almond bark (or candy melts) slowly. Use the microwave in short 15–30 second bursts, stirring in between, or melt in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
- Pour the melted almond bark over the cereal mixture. Gently stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the almond bark.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread the mix into an even layer.
- Sprinkle on the M&M candies and sprinkles while the candy coating is still wet.
- Allow the mix to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to set. Or for a faster set, chill the mix in the fridge for 10-15 minutes until hardened.
- Once the snack mix has hardened, break into chunks and serve. Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container. The mix will stay fresh for a week.
