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This 4th of July snack mix takes about 15 minutes start to finish, and there’s no oven involved at all. My secret is allowing the coated chex and puffed corn to dry completely, so the cereal stays crisp under the almond bark instead of softening. It’s sweet, salty, and crunchy in one bowl, with red, white, and blue M&M’s and sprinkles.
I wanted a no-bake snack mix that worked for a July 4th cookout without heating up the kitchen, and this one is just perfect. It’s a lot like my Christmas Reindeer Chow, except that one has peanut butter and chocolate chips.
In this snack mix, I’m using almond bark to coat the puff corn and Chex and it sets at room temperature, so you have nice crunchy clusters once it cools.
Puff corn adds more light crunch, the pretzels add salt, and the red, white, and blue M&M’s go in last so they keep their color and don’t bleed into the coating.
My grandbabies love this snack mix!
Testing results for 4th of July snack mix
- We really like to play around with this snack mix. I’ve used chocolate almond bark, added marshmallows, nuts, and I’ve used different varieties of cereal for the crunch. Cheerios work really well in this recipe.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
Ingredient notes
Here are a few things to know about the ingredients in this recipe.
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Almond bark: Almond bark is a candy coating that melts smooth and sets firm at room temperature, with no tempering required like real chocolate. You’ll find it in blocks near the baking chips, usually in vanilla, which gives you that white base for the red, white, and blue look. Twelve ounces is enough to coat the cereal without drowning it.
Puff corn: This is the airy puffed corn snack sold near the chips, not popcorn and not cereal. It soaks up the almond bark and breaks into light, crunchy clusters, and there are no hard kernels.
Corn Chex: Corn Chex holds its shape under the coating and stays crisp instead of turning to mush.
Red, white, and blue M&M’s: The patriotic bags show up around Memorial Day and stick around through July, so grab them when you see them. Plain M&M’s hold their color best, and they go in at the end so the candy shells stay intact.
Sprinkles: Totally optional, but red, white, and blue sprinkles scattered on while the coating is still wet give you a little extra color.
Pin this now to save it for laterHow to make 4th of July snack mix
This no-bake snack mix comes together in a few easy steps. This is one of my favorite recipes to have the kids help with.
- Toss the puff corn and corn Chex together in a large bowl.
- Melt the almond bark in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until it’s smooth.
- Pour the melted bark over the cereal and fold gently until everything is coated, then spread it on a parchment-lined sheet and scatter on the sprinkles.
- Once the coating sets, break the mix into clusters and toss with the pretzels and M&M’s.
Coating the mix evenly
The coating is the only real technique here, and it comes down to two things: melting the almond bark until it’s smooth and getting it onto the cereal before it starts to set. Heat the bark in short bursts and stir between each one. Almond bark scorches if you rush it, and overheated bark turns thick and grainy instead of pourable.
Once it’s smooth, work quickly. Pour it over the puff corn and Chex and fold with a silicone spatula, lifting from the bottom rather than stirring hard, so you coat everything without smashing the cereal into crumbs. If the bark firms up before you’re done, a few seconds back in the microwave loosens it.
Spread the coated mix in a single layer on the parchment so it cools in clusters instead of one big slab. That’s also when you add the sprinkles, while the surface is still tacky enough to hold them.
Making it red, white, and blue
The red, white, and blue comes from three places: the white almond bark coating, the patriotic M&M’s, and the optional sprinkles. The white base gives you a blank canvas to add whatever you want as festive color.
Tip: For the strongest color, save a few extra M&M’s and sprinkles and scatter them over the top of the finished bowl. The ones mixed throughout settle in, and a fresh layer on top is what makes it pop for your party table.
Variations and swaps
- Other cereals: Rice Chex, Crispix, or even a handful of Cheerios work in place of some of the corn Chex. Keep the total cereal-to-bark ratio about the same so everything still coats.
- Candy melts or white chocolate: White candy melts or white chocolate chips melt and set much like almond bark. White chocolate tastes a little richer and stays slightly softer, so add a teaspoon of coconut oil if it’s too thick to pour.
- Switch the colors for any holiday: Swap the M&M’s and sprinkles for orange and black at Halloween, red and green at Christmas, or pastels for Easter. The base recipe doesn’t change at all.
- More mix-ins: Mini marshmallows, candy-coated popcorn, peanuts, or Bugles all fit. Add anything delicate, like marshmallows, after the coating sets so it doesn’t melt.
Make-ahead and storage
Make ahead: This mix keeps well, so you can make it two or three days before a party. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature and add any reserved topping M&M’s or sprinkles right before serving so they look fresh.
Storage: Kept airtight at room temperature, the snack mix stays crisp for about two weeks. Don’t refrigerate it, because the cold creates condensation that softens the cereal and can make the coating sweat. If your kitchen runs hot and humid (like mine in July!), press a little parchment against the surface and seal the container well.
What to serve at a July 4th party
This snack mix is a grazing food, so it fits right in next to the rest of the spread. If you’re building a dessert table, my 4th of July Poke Cake and Red White and Blue Cake both add to the patriotic theme, and the 4th of July Cupcakes are easy for kids to help decorate.
For something lighter to balance all the sweets, set out 4th of July Fruit Kabobs, and if you’ve got bakers in the house, the 4th of July Cookies with M&Ms use the same patriotic candy as this mix.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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4th of July Snack Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups puff corn
- 2 cups corn Chex cereal
- 12 ounces almond bark (about 1 1/2 cups)
- red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
- 1 ½ cups mini pretzels
- ½ cup red, white, and blue M&M’s
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups puff corn and 2 cups corn Chex cereal. Set aside.
- Place 12 ounces almond bark (about 1 1/2 cups) in a large microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Pour the melted almond bark over the puff corn and Chex. Stir gently, being careful not to crush the cereal, until everything is evenly coated. Spread the mix in an even layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet and scatter red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional) over the top. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes, until fully set. Be sure it's completely cool before proceeding.
- Break the set mix apart and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels and 1/2 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s, and stir until just combined.
Notes
- Store airtight at room temperature for about two weeks; do not refrigerate (condensation softens the cereal).
- Make up to 2 to 3 days ahead and add reserved topping M&M’s and sprinkles right before serving.
Nutrition
Questions and tips
Storage
Kept airtight at room temperature, the snack mix stays crisp for about two weeks. Don’t refrigerate it, because the cold creates condensation that softens the cereal and can make the coating sweat.
It can be. Corn Chex is naturally gluten-free, so swap the regular pretzels for gluten-free pretzels and check that your almond bark is labeled gluten-free. Plain M&M’s are gluten-free, but always read the package, since manufacturers change formulas.
Popped popcorn or a plain puffed corn snack both work. You want something light and airy that the coating can cling to. If you use popcorn, make sure it’s fully popped with no hard leftover kernels.
Yes. Double everything and melt the almond bark in two batches so it stays smooth and pourable. You’ll also want a second baking sheet so the mix can cool in a single layer instead of a thick pile.
Almond bark needs to cool at room temperature to firm up, so give it the full ten minutes on the parchment. If it still feels tacky, your kitchen may be too warm or humid. Put the tray in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set it, then bring it back to room temperature before storing.
