This Frito Snack Mix is some pretty addicting stuff. It’s a mix of Fritos corn chips, Chex cereal, pretzels and nuts. Those are all combined with a sweet syrup, then baked, and then mixed with M&M’s. Watch the video showing you how to make Frito Snack Mix, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make it at home!
This recipe was first shared here on RecipeGirl way back in 2012. I was finishing up the manuscript for The Recipe Girl Cookbook, and my friend Shelly from the blog, Cookies and Cups offered to guest post here and share this recipe.
I’m so glad she did because this Frito Snack Mix has been a RecipeGirl favorite for many years now. People like to make it for parties and lunchboxes and general snacking and dessert. Shelly figured out how to turn Fritos into candy, and it’s pretty delicious!
Frito Snack Mix
Hey guys! Shelly from Cookies and Cups here! I’m so excited to take over, if even for a day, at Recipe Girl.
Lori’s site has been a favorite of mine for ages and we actually got to hang out last December in real life on our Girl Hunter weekend. She’s as nice as you would imagine and I can’t wait to get to spend time with her again.
Here’s the thing about taking over someone’s virtual space. It’s a little nerve racking. If you are familiar with my blog you will know that I am all about low-down dirty desserts. The kind that you eat hiding in a closet…the kinds that are laden with butter, sugar and candy.
So as much as I would love to make you something fancy-ish or gluten free, or whole-grainy, I just can’t do it.
Sorry.
Instead, I made you Frito Snack Mix, which is basically Fritos covered in sugar. Don’t be disgusted. Be intrigued.
I promise it’s good stuff.
How to Make Frito Snack Mix:
First mix some Fritos, Rice Chex Cereal, Pretzels and nuts in a big bowl.
Then melt a little butter, brown sugar and light corn syrup in a small saucepan.
Bring it to a boil…
Pour the caramelly sauce over top your Frito mixture and stir to coat evenly.
Pour the entire mix into a roasting pan and bake for 8 minutes. Stir it up and bake for 8 more.
Then spread it all on a parchment paper lined counter and let it cool. (if you use wax paper, spray it with a little nonstick spray before you spread the Frito Snack Mix over it- to prevent sticking)
When it’s cool sprinkle some M&Ms on top. I mean, why not?
That’s it.
Feel free to eat in the closet or on the couch. If you have an air fryer, you might like to try this recipe for Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chex Mix too.
If you’re looking for more delicious snacking recipes, you might also enjoy my S’Mores Granola Bars or these Milky Way Brownies. Caramel Corn, Soda Can Cupcakes and Reeses Peanut Butter Banana Bread are major favorites too!
Frito Snack Mix
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 15.5 ounces Fritos corn chips
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups pretzel twists
- 1½ cups nuts (walnuts, peanut, cashews suggested)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup mini M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl combine the Fritos, Chex, Pretzels and nuts. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan melt the sugar, butter and corn syrup over medium heat. Let the mixture come to a boil and then boil for 4 minutes without stirring.
- Remove the pan from heat and pour over the Frito mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Transfer the mix to a large roasting pan and bake for 8 minutes. Remove to stir and bake for an additional 8 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a wax paper lined counter and let it cool completely before breaking into large clumps. When cooled sprinkle M&Ms over mix. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Can you freeze this after making it so it lasts longer than a week?
I’ve never tried freezing this mix.
Sorry., I was all set to love this but ended up disappointed underwhelmed. My husband will normally pick at something like this as long as it is within site but he didn’t go back after the initial taste. Tried adding M’s to some of the mix before altogether cool in hopes that the it would still be sticky enough to have them spread throughout the mixture – only resulted in somewhat melted M’s. M’s in all mixtures just sank to the bottom.
This is addicting. So good! Made it with regular red and green M and M’s for Christmas gifts.
Great idea!
I have to say that I don’t like it after tasting it. The saltiness of the Fritos didn’t come through, and it’s so very sweet. I made it for a card game and I may not even serve it. I guess I like spicier tastes better. It also burns easily, so you have to watch closely during the last 8 minutes. It sounded so good. Oh well. Thank you anyway.
Going to my mother in laws for lunch. She asked us to bring something to lunch on, so I found this recipe and made it exactly as it says. THIS IS AMAZING. And I truly don’t know if it’ll make it to her house later. Lol. Thank you so much for sharing this yummy recipe with us!!!
Can I freeze this?
I don’t think this kind of snack mix is meant to be frozen.
You had me at Fritos! Very easy and SO delish! I read the review about the M&Ms sinking to the bottom and I added them before the mix was completely cooled. They still sunk…not sure how to get around that. BUT…in the end, it’s still a winner in my book!
Where did you find mini M&Ms.
You can usually find the mini MM’s in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips. You can also use regular MM’s though!
I am totally making this for bunco next week!
A sweet and salty snack mix can’t be beat. This one is totally irresistible!
Netflix + Me + this snack mix = perfect Friday night.
Fritos are my ultimate weakness with chips, love this snack mix!
This is the best snack ever. Perfect for movie nights at home!
Yum! This is perfect for all of my snack cravings right now!
How fun, my family will love this for movie night!
this is so awesome!
Such a great snack! Pinning it to make it over the weekend.
My husband and I are eating this now. YUMMY! Made the recipe as written.
I made this for a grad party and was loved!!
Made this today! Pretty tasty! I accidentally added an extra 1/4c of corn syrup. Still turned out well! The m&ms sank to the bottom though! Next time I think I’ll add the m&ms before it fully cools off.
but Fritos and rice chex are gluten free, so put in gf pretzels and you made an awesome gluten free snack recipe! I’m trying this great gf recipe, stat!
This is really delicious! I’ve made it three times now and everyone has loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this recipe!
Just made two batches today. They are now in mason jars as Christmas gifts for the guys in our family! Sooo yummy – and am happy there is a little bit left over for us to enjoy too. The first batch stuck to the wax paper a bit for me too. I put the second batch onto parchment to cool and it worked much better.
I made this yesterday for a get together of some friends. Everyone loved it. The only problem I had was that it stuck to the wax paper. Maybe next time I will spraying the wax paper with cooking spray before dumping out the hot mixture. Will definitely will make again.
OMG !!! Made this last night, Awsome
I just made this for a party we’re having tonight. It’s the perfect combination of salty & sweet! Might try throwing in some craisins next time, but it’s very good just the way it is, too! Found this on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing!
I am sooooooooooooooooooooo making this as party favors for my co ed baby shower!!!! Fantastic! Thanks for making me look like a hero!
Shelly: Oh, my gosh. I just got to work and all I want to do is run right home and make this!
Lori: Cookbook???????? I am so excited….and will be one of the first ones in line to buy it…I can only imagine the deliciousness in store for us! 🙂
Yum. Just made a batch, but substituted M&Ms with Trader Joes mini peanut butter cups. Double yum.
How do you come up with this stuff?!? I already LOVE fritos, so I can only imagine how great they will taste in this SWEET snack! Woo hoo!
just made these they are really good, i have done cheese puffs before but like this one so much better, thanks for sharing
I absolutely adore Shelly and I know my kids would think they had died and gone to heaven if they found some of this mix in their lunch boxes.
OMG!
I just realized that this isn’t just fritos, but sweet caramelly covered fritos.
I think I just died.
Yum! Sweet and salty is my favorite kind of treat:)
I am intrigued! Salty, sugary, buttery – yum! Not every recipe needs to be healthy.
I know I’m going to make a lot of friends with this combo!!!
I love this idea! I’m going to make this for my Husband for tomorrow so he can take it to work!! Looks delish!!
Oh My!!! sugary sweet salty frito-ness….. Please stop me from rushing to the store to buy some fritos now.
2 of my favourite bloggers in one spot! Love it!! I am totally making this and eating in the closet, that way I won’t have to share!
Thank you for this Shelly! You have just given me the best excuse to buy some Fritos! 🙂
I love fritos. I see this totally working. Amazing.
Fritos have to be my downfall with chips, every time. I open a bag, and they are just gone. This is such a fun snack mix!
OMG, would it be wrong add butterscotch chips to this mix?!?!? OH I can’t wait. Thanks for another great one Shelly