There are snack mixes… and then there’s Million Dollar Snack Mix—the kind of sweet-and-salty, buttery-crunchy, irresistible treat that disappears faster than you can blink. Every handful feels like pure treasure: golden pretzels, crunchy cereal, salty nuts, and the perfect drizzle of silky white chocolate tying it all together. It’s the kind of mix that people snack on, then return to, then suddenly the whole bowl is gone and everyone’s pretending they didn’t eat most of it.

This recipe came into my life during one of those chaotic holiday seasons when you crave easy, giftable snacks that still feel special. Million Dollar Snack Mix instantly lived up to its name. It looks luxurious, tastes indulgent, and requires almost zero effort. Just toss, coat, bake, drizzle, and cool. The magic comes from its golden buttery-brown sugar coating—it glazes every piece with just enough sweetness and richness to make you want another bite.

Desserts and snacks don’t have to be complicated to feel decadent. Sometimes the most comforting recipes are the ones that throw together familiar textures and flavors in a new way. This snack mix is nostalgic, reminiscent of those holiday snack tins, bake-sale treats, and movie-night goodies everyone loves. But what sets it apart is the layering: the toasted cereal, the glossy butter-sugar bake, the melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate, and the pops of color from candies.

The mix checks all the boxes:

✔ Crunchy
✔ Salty
✔ Sweet
✔ Addictive
✔ Perfect for gifting
✔ Easy to customize

You can make it for holidays, game-day parties, road trips, movie nights, teacher gifts, or cookie swaps. It even works beautifully packaged in mason jars or decorative treat bags. And if you bring this to a potluck? Expect people to ask for the recipe before they ask your name.

Let’s dive into the ingredients, the simple steps, and all the creative variations you can make to tailor your own version of “million-dollar” goodness.

Ingredients

4 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups pretzels (mini twists or sticks)
1 1/2 cups mixed nuts (or peanuts)
1 cup honey roasted peanuts (optional but amazing)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers
1 cup chocolate candies (like M&M’s)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a large bowl, combine Chex cereal, pretzels, nuts, and honey roasted peanuts.
In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar over medium heat.
Stir and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt.
Pour the butter mixture over the snack mix and toss well to coat.
Spread mixture onto baking sheet in an even layer.
Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Let cool slightly.
Melt white chocolate until smooth; drizzle over warm snack mix.
Add chocolate candies before the mix fully sets.
Let cool completely, then break into clusters.
Store in an airtight container and enjoy the million-dollar deliciousness.