What are the ingredients in Kars sweet and salty mix?

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

Since its popularization in 1933, Kars Sweet and Salty Mix has been a beloved American snack. The delicious blend of crunchy, chewy, and sweet is created using a simple yet effective combination of peanuts, raisins, cocoa candies, and sunflower kernels.

Quick Summary

Kars Sweet and Salty Mix contains salted peanuts, raisins, cocoa candies, and sunflower kernels. Each ingredient adds to the mix's balanced flavor profile and texture, catering to both salty and sweet palates.

Key Points

Peanuts are the Salty Base: Roasted and salted peanuts provide the primary savory and crunchy element.
Raisins Add Natural Sweetness and Texture: Chewy raisins offer a fruity flavor and soft texture, balancing the nuts.
Cocoa Candies for Chocolate Indulgence: Colorful cocoa candies with a confectionery coating supply the sweet, chocolatey flavor.
Sunflower Kernels Provide Extra Crunch: Lightly salted sunflower kernels add an extra dimension of nutty flavor and crunch.
A Balanced and Versatile Snack: The simple combination of ingredients creates a balanced mix suitable for various occasions and cravings.
Ingredient Variations Exist: Some premium versions, like the Deluxe mix, use different chocolate components like M&M's.

Kars Sweet and Salty Mix is a classic American snack known for its ability to combine sweet and salty flavors in a single serving. The mix's popularity stems from a straightforward recipe featuring four main ingredients that balance taste and texture. To understand the snack's appeal, it's helpful to look at what are the ingredients in Kars sweet and salty mix.

Key Ingredients in the Classic Mix

The standard Kars Sweet and Salty Mix is composed of a select group of items, creating a simple yet effective blend. While other variations exist, the original relies on this core combination.

Peanuts

Serving as the primary salty and crunchy component, roasted and salted peanuts form the base of the mix. They are typically cooked in oil and salt to enhance their savory, nutty flavor.

Raisins

Raisins contribute natural sweetness and a chewy texture, providing a fruity contrast to the nuts and seeds. Their inclusion balances the artificial sweetness from the candies.

Cocoa Candies

These small, candy-coated pieces bring the chocolatey sweetness to the mix. Their confectionery coating includes ingredients like sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, cocoa powder, and various colorings.

Sunflower Kernels

Adding another layer of subtle crunch and mild nuttiness, lightly salted sunflower kernels complement the peanuts. They are also roasted in oil and salted.

A detailed ingredient breakdown for each component, including the specific oils used and constituents of the cocoa candies, is available on various product listings like {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kars-Sweet-Salty-Mix-CT/dp/B00H3T7QP8}.

Classic vs. Deluxe Mix: An Ingredient Comparison

Kars offers variations like the 'Deluxe' version, which differs from the classic, primarily in the chocolate component and the inclusion of additional nuts. A comparison highlights these differences:


Feature	Classic Sweet 'N Salty Mix	Deluxe Sweet 'N Salty Mix
Peanuts	Roasted, salted peanuts	Roasted, salted peanuts
Raisins	Standard raisins	Standard raisins
Chocolate Component	Cocoa candies	Real M&M's milk chocolate candies
Seeds/Other Nuts	Sunflower kernels	Sunflower kernels, almonds, cashews
Taste Profile	Simple, balanced sweet and salty flavors	Enhanced, with richer chocolate and more varied nuts
Allergens	Contains milk, peanuts, and soy	Contains milk, peanuts, and soy; may contain other tree nuts

The Snack Experience

The appeal of Kars Sweet and Salty Mix lies in the interplay of its ingredients, offering a variety of textures and a balanced taste. The blend of crunchy nuts, chewy raisins, and sweet candies creates a satisfying snacking experience. The mix provides a quick source of energy, healthy fats, protein, and some fiber. Its portability and resealable packaging make it a convenient snack for various occasions.

Conclusion

Kars Sweet and Salty Mix is a popular snack consisting of a straightforward mix of peanuts, raisins, cocoa candies, and sunflower kernels. This combination delivers a unique balance of sweet and salty flavors and diverse textures, contributing to its enduring appeal. The detailed ingredient information is available on product packaging and online retail sites. For nutrition details, refer to the official Kars website or product listings.

Note: The specific oil used in roasting may differ between batches and packaging, potentially including canola, sunflower, or peanut oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

The four main components are peanuts, raisins, cocoa candies, and sunflower kernels.

The original mix contains cocoa candies with a confectionery coating made from cocoa powder, not real milk or dark chocolate. The 'Deluxe' version, however, does use real M&M's milk chocolate candies.

Yes, the mix contains milk, peanuts, and soy. It may also contain other tree nuts due to the manufacturing process.

Yes, according to the packaging, the product is gluten-free.

The oils used for roasting can vary but typically include sunflower, canola, and/or peanut oil.

The Deluxe mix replaces the generic cocoa candies with real M&M's and also adds almonds and cashews to the nut mix.

The complete ingredient list can be found on the product packaging, as well as on various online retailer websites that sell the product.