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.
Crock Pot Honey Nut & Dark Chocolate Chex Mix- Healthy Crock Pot Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 6 cups chex cereal, I used half honey nut & half rice
- 2 cups pretzels
- 1 cup whole wheat cheerios, could also use honey nut
- ½ cup unsalted raw almonds
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup honey
- ⅓ cup powdered peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste, optional
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- 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 ¼ 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 ½ 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!
Notes
Nutrition
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?
Julie S says
Could you omit the PB altogether? Would the honey and coconut oil need to be adjusted then?
JulieWunder says
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!
Kimmythevegan says
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!
JulieWunder says
Thanks! It's a fun twist and def a lot better for you!
Miz Helen says
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
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
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!
JulieWunder says
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!
Courtney says
I LOVE a good mix of salty and sweet, and when there's chocolate and peanut butter in the mix? I am THERE. 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yay! Thanks so much!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
Ooooh, I feel like this is the kind of snack that disappears in seconds and everyone asks for more! What a winning recipe! 😉
JulieWunder says
Totally! Thanks so much Kristy!
Mary Beth Jackson says
I am SO making this over the weekend!
JulieWunder says
yay! Let me know how you like it!
Vincent DiCarlo says
Julie, where do you get powdered peanut butter?
JulieWunder says
I used this----> http://amzn.to/2kRNcLO But PB2 is another popular brand that I like.
Blane Sherer says
I think this is a winner and yep good timing
for the Super Bowl.
JulieWunder says
yay! Thanks so much.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
I would never think of making trail mix in a crock pot. But sounds very tasty.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lacey!
Emily says
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?
JulieWunder says
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!
JulieWunder says
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.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Salty and sweet is the best combo!
JulieWunder says
So true!
Dan Steadman says
looks good for when we cheer on my Falcons!!!!
JulieWunder says
Woop!! Hope they win!
Mary Jean Henson says
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.
JulieWunder says
Yay! I hope you enjoy it.
heather @Lunging Through Life says
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
JulieWunder says
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?
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
In not so PC terms, this is Crack Mix. OMG. This would be gone in a flash.
JulieWunder says
Totally! It's addictive!!!