Chex cereal — 3 cups A mixture of all three kinds, or even just one, for your crunchy base.
Cheerios — 1 cup Adds a different shape and texture.
Roasted pepitas — ¼ cup Savory crunch and a little nuttiness.
Toasted coconut chips — 2 tablespoons Enough to sample the flavor without making coconut the star.
Mini M&Ms — 2 tablespoons Little pops of chocolate and sweetness.
Raisins — 1 tablespoon
Cashews — 2 tablespoons, chopped
Just occasional chewy and buttery bites, rather than dominant ingredients.
That makes roughly 4½ cups of mix, depending on the cereal shapes and how you measure.
A couple of suggestions
Mix everything except the M&Ms first. Taste it, then add the chocolate. That makes it easier to judge the sweetness.
Keep the coconut at 2 tablespoons for the first batch. You can always add more next time, but you can't take it out!
Use plain, unsweetened toasted coconut chips if that's what you buy. Since the chips can be delicate, stir them in gently.
I'd make this first batch without butter or other flavorings. I think the combination of toasted oats, pepitas, coconut, and chocolate should be interesting all by itself.
And one practical thought: if you love it, write down the proportions before you start experimenting. Otherwise, the next batch could become a completely different creature! 😄
