Chex Mix just got an upgrade with my Crock Pot Honey Nut & Dark Chocolate Chex Mix. You’ll love this variation of a healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix!
Hi everyone!
A healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix has been on my radar for awhile. With Super Bowl Sunday coming up, I decided last week would be the perfect time to create it. Like most recipes I make, I started by researching what went into the basic recipe so I could think of ways to make it better. I was shocked to see that straight up butter goes into most versions! Now, I have nothing against butter in moderation and eat it on occasion… but for a snack mix? Naw… I knew I could do better.
So my first swap was trading out coconut oil for the butter and reducing the amount. Next I decided to make it sweet without refined sugar… in comes just a touch of honey. Third I traded peanuts for almonds…. hello heart healthy fats!
Now, I must have been in a peanut butter mood because suddenly I had the idea to add powdered peanut butter to it…. I thought that would be perfect to give it all the flavor without adding more unnecessary calories to it.
And that, my dear friends is how Crock Pot Honey Nut & Dark Chocolate Chex Mix was born.
You start off with all kinds of goodies in the Crock Pot. I chose to use Honey Nut Chex Mix, Rice Chex Mix, Whole Grain Cheerios, pretzels and almonds.
Next you top it off with a coconut oil, honey and powdered peanut butter mixture that takes soooo good.
Cooking the Healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix takes just a few hours. You do need to be home to stir it occasionally.
Once it’s cooked, you pull it out to finish hardening on a sheet pan. You add the chocolate chips when it’s cool enough not to melt them. I like the chunks!
The combination was even better than I imagined! It’s sweet (but not too sweet,) peanut buttery, coconut-y and just the right amount of salty.
The Healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix will be wonderful for your Super Bowl party! I’m pretty sure it will disappear in to time flat!
And while this still is a snack food, that should be eaten in moderation, my version does have some redeeming health qualities with heart-healthy almonds and antioxidant-packed dark chocolate.
Plus… did I mention the whole it tastes like peanut butter thing?
I gave the Hubs a bag to try and he chowed down like a champ!
I love it when a recipe idea turns out even better than I expect! This Healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix absolutely falls into that category. It’s totally tasty and addictive.
I’d love to hear what you think! Try it and let me know in the comments.
- 6 cups chex cereal I used half honey nut & half rice
- 2 cups pretzels
- 1 cup whole wheat cheerios could also use honey nut
- 1/2 cup unsalted raw almonds
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup powdered peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste, optional
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- Put the chex cereal, pretzels, cheerios, almonds in a large Crock Pot.
- In a small bowl mix together the coconut oil, honey, powdered peanut butter and optional salt.
- Pour the coconut oil mixture over the cereal mixture and stir gently until well coated.
- Put the lid on but leave a small 1/4 inch crack in the lid. This allows the moisture to escape and for it to turn crispy.
- Cook on low 3 hours. Stir after 1 hour, 2 hours and 2 1/2 hours. Watch carefully to keep it from burning.
- Pour the mixture out on a baking sheet and allow it to cool. Once it's cool enough to not melt the chocolate, stir that in.
- Enjoy!
The salt brings more of a salty- sweet taste to the recipe. If you are sensitive to sodium, leave out or adjust!
Like this recipe? Find it later by pinning this to your favorite Pinterest board!
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing the second half of my recent trip to Key West. On Thursday I’ll be sharing all of my Super Bowl friendly recipes from Running in a Skirt.
Your turn!
What’s your favorite snack?
Salty or sweet?
[…] Honey Nut & Dark Chocolate Crock Pot Chex Mix […]
Could you omit the PB altogether? Would the honey and coconut oil need to be adjusted then?
I’m pretty sure you could without an issue since it’s just the powder, but since I haven’t tested it I can’t promise. I think it would still taste good though!
[…] Healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix ,Vegan […]
Chex mis in a crock pot? What? That’s amazing! I would have never thought of that =)
And i like how you healthied it up. I have pretty much sworn the stuff up as it’s not great, but this sounds like a snack I could really get into!
Thanks! It’s a fun twist and def a lot better for you!
Your Chex Mix will be delicious! I really appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, hope you have a great day and hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much!
Such a great idea to do a crock pot version of chex mix! You come up with such clever recipes! I could see myself sitting down and eating the whole thing!
Thanks so much for linking up with us for Healthy Vegan Fridays! I’m Pinning and sharing!
Thank you! I was giggling to myself when I came up with this one. I’m glad I have an outlet to share them! lol!
I LOVE a good mix of salty and sweet, and when there’s chocolate and peanut butter in the mix? I am THERE. 🙂
Yay! Thanks so much!
Ooooh, I feel like this is the kind of snack that disappears in seconds and everyone asks for more! What a winning recipe! 😉
Totally! Thanks so much Kristy!
I am SO making this over the weekend!
yay! Let me know how you like it!
Julie, where do you get powdered peanut butter?
I used this—-> http://amzn.to/2kRNcLO But PB2 is another popular brand that I like.
I think this is a winner and yep good timing
for the Super Bowl.
yay! Thanks so much.
I would never think of making trail mix in a crock pot. But sounds very tasty.
Thanks Lacey!
I got really excited when I saw the title of this post. How could I not love dark chocolate with nuts and chex? And do you think I could do regular peanut butter instead of powdered?
I didn’t test with that, but I suspect you could melt it into the coconut oil and it would work fine! Let me know if you try it!
I suspect that would work, but you will most likely need to melt the peanut butter to make it a liquid and combine it into the coconut oil liquid. I didn’t test it that way, so no promises though… but I think it would. Let me know if you try it.
Salty and sweet is the best combo!
So true!
looks good for when we cheer on my Falcons!!!!
Woop!! Hope they win!
I’m adding this to my Super Bowl fare along with your yummy guacamole. At least there will be something healthy on the buffet. Thanks for sharing.
Yay! I hope you enjoy it.
I’m not sure we’ll be heading anywhere for the superbowl, but this is a perfect treat to keep for future get togethers! Easy peasy. I wonder if I could put in peanut butter instead of powedered peanut butter. Well, maybe I’ll just leave it out so I can eat it! hahah
I didn’t test that, but it would probably work. You’d just need to melt it down to stir into the coconut oil. Do you have a peanut allergy?
In not so PC terms, this is Crack Mix. OMG. This would be gone in a flash.
Totally! It’s addictive!!!