Nothing says Halloween like a big bowl of Scarecrow Snack Mix sitting on the party table! This colorful, crunchy treat has become our family’s go-to for October gatherings – ever since my then-5-year-old declared it “the snack that looks like a scarecrow’s lunch.” The mix of sweet and salty ingredients (plus those adorable candy corns!) makes it impossible to stop eating. Last year we made double batches because the kids kept sneaking handfuls before the party even started.
What I love most is how this scarecrow snack mix brings everyone together. The kids help measure ingredients while I man the oven, and within minutes the whole house smells like pumpkin spice and buttery popcorn. It’s become our little Halloween tradition – almost as cherished as carving pumpkins!
Scarecrow Snack Mix Ingredients
The magic of this snack mix comes from simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s exactly what you’ll need (and trust me, these measurements matter for that perfect sweet-salty balance):
- 4 cups popped popcorn (unsalted – we’ll add flavor later)
- 2 cups standard pretzel sticks (the classic thin ones work best)
- 1 cup candy corn (the scarecrow’s “golden harvest”)
- 1 cup whole peanuts (for that satisfying crunch)
- 1/2 cup packed raisins (helps prevent clumping)
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter (better control over saltiness)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice (our secret flavor booster!)
Pro tip: Measure the raisins packed – just press them gently into your measuring cup. They tend to settle after mixing otherwise!
How to Make Scarecrow Snack Mix
Making this scarecrow snack mix is almost as fun as eating it! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a perfect batch ready for your Halloween party in no time.
Mixing the Ingredients
First, use your biggest bowl – trust me, you’ll need the space! Gently toss the popcorn and pretzels together with your hands to avoid crushing them. Then sprinkle in the candy corn, peanuts, and raisins like you’re decorating a scarecrow’s field. The magic happens when you drizzle that spiced butter over everything – I like to pour slowly while stirring with a wooden spoon to coat every piece evenly.
Baking and Cooling
Spread the mix in one layer on a baking sheet (middle oven rack is perfect for even heating). Set your timer for 15 minutes – that’s just enough time to toast the flavors without burning anything. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool completely before diving in! I usually spread it on parchment paper so nothing sticks while it cools.
Why You’ll Love This Scarecrow Snack Mix
This snack mix has stolen our Halloween hearts for so many reasons – here’s why you’ll adore it too:
- Super simple to make – It comes together faster than a ghost says “Boo!” (just 25 minutes start to finish)
- Always a crowd favorite – The sweet-salty combo disappears faster than candy on Halloween night
- Endlessly customizable – Swap in your family’s favorite mix-ins (we’ve tried everything from chocolate chips to sunflower seeds)
- Perfect for little helpers – Kids love measuring ingredients and tossing everything together
- Makes your house smell amazing – That pumpkin spice aroma will have everyone following their noses to the kitchen
Seriously, once you make this once, it’ll become your Halloween tradition too!
Scarecrow Snack Mix Variations
The best part about this scarecrow snack mix? You can make it different every time! My kids love when we swap in chocolate chips for half the candy corn – they melt slightly for gooey pockets of yum. Cereal lovers can add 1 cup of crispy rice or corn squares for extra crunch. And for nut allergies? Sunflower seeds work beautifully instead of peanuts.
Here’s our family’s favorite combos:
- Autumn version: Dried apple pieces + cinnamon chips
- Chocolate lovers: Mini M&Ms + cocoa-dusted almonds
- Spicy twist: Cayenne pepper in the butter mix (just a pinch!)
The possibilities are endless – just keep the total volume about the same so everything coats evenly. Happy experimenting!
Storing Your Scarecrow Snack Mix
Here’s the scoop on keeping your snack mix fresh – I learned this the hard way after some sad, stale batches early on! Always store in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigeration is a no-go – it makes the pretzels soggy and the popcorn lose its crunch. Properly stored, this scarecrow snack mix stays delicious for up to 1 week (if it lasts that long!).
Pro tip from my cookie-jar-raiding kids: If you’re making it ahead, leave the candy corn out until serving day – they stay prettier that way!
Scarecrow Snack Mix Nutrition Information
Just so you know, these nutrition facts are estimates – your actual numbers might dance around a bit depending on your exact ingredients. For a ½ cup serving, you’re looking at about 180 calories, 8g fat, and 12g sugar. Not bad for such a fun treat!
Scarecrow Snack Mix FAQs
Can I make this gluten-free? Absolutely! Just swap the pretzels for gluten-free pretzels or crunchy rice cereal. Double-check your candy corn too – some brands use wheat. We’ve had great success with Snyder’s gluten-free pretzels in our test batches.
How long does it stay fresh? Stored properly in an airtight container, your scarecrow snack mix will stay crispy and delicious for about a week. If you’re making it more than 2 days ahead, I’d hold off adding the candy corn until serving day – they tend to bleed color over time.
Can I use different spices? Of course! While pumpkin pie spice is our favorite, we’ve used apple pie spice, cinnamon-sugar, or even a pinch of cayenne for grown-up batches. The key is keeping it to about 1 tablespoon total so you don’t overwhelm the other flavors.
Scarecrow Snack Mix: The 15-Minute Halloween Treat Kids Love
A fun and festive snack mix perfect for fall gatherings and Halloween parties.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups popped popcorn
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 cup candy corn
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F
- Combine popcorn, pretzels, candy corn, peanuts and raisins in large bowl
- Mix melted butter with pumpkin pie spice
- Toss mixture with butter until evenly coated
- Spread on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes
- Cool completely before serving
Notes
- Store in airtight container for up to 1 week
- Customize with your favorite mix-ins
- Great for school parties
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
