Crunchy Frito Snack Mix Recipe for Parties & Game Day

This Frito Snack Mix is irresistibly addictive. It combines Fritos corn chips, Rice Chex cereal, pretzel twists, nuts and M&M’s, all coated in a sweet brown sugar and corn syrup glaze. It’s easy to make, great for parties, and stores well for several days when kept in an airtight container.

Frito Snack Mix

This recipe first appeared in 2012 and has become a long-time favorite. It was originally shared as a guest post and remains popular for game days, school lunches and everyday snacking. The combination of salty chips and pretzels with a sweet glaze and colorful M&M’s makes it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients needed

• 15.5 ounces Fritos corn chips
• 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 2 cups pretzel twists
• 1½ cups nuts (your choice: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup mini M&M’s

How to Make Frito Snack Mix

The printable recipe with measurements and instructions is included below.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the Fritos, Rice Chex, pretzels and nuts. Set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and light corn syrup. Melt over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, let the mixture boil for 4 minutes without stirring.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately pour the hot syrup over the chip mixture. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
5. Transfer the coated mix to a large roasting pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes, remove and stir, then bake another 8 minutes.
6. Carefully spread the baked mix onto wax paper and let cool completely. Once cooled, break into large clumps and sprinkle the mini M&M’s over the top. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Recipe Tips

• Watch the syrup while it’s boiling to prevent it from boiling over. A steady boil for the full 4 minutes is important to get the right texture.
• Use your favorite nuts. Pecans were used in the original batch, but walnuts, cashews or peanuts are all good choices — or mix several kinds.
• Swap the plain mini M&M’s for peanut or peanut-butter varieties to change the flavor and texture.

What to do with Frito Snack Mix

• It’s an ideal game-day snack that can be prepared ahead and served during the event.
• For themed parties, use M&M’s in team colors to create custom batches.
• Portion the mix into individual bags for school events, sports practices or party favors.

How to Store

Keep the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Reseal after each use to maintain crunch and freshness.

Why this recipe works

1. It can be made ahead and is convenient for entertaining.
2. The sweet-and-salty contrast appeals to a wide audience and gets rave reviews.
3. It’s easy to adapt by swapping nuts or candy to suit tastes or dietary needs.

Printable Recipe