Follow these simple steps to create your 4th of July Chex Mix:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, mini pretzels, mixed nuts, M&M’s, and popcorn. Toss well to mix evenly.
3. Prepare the Coating: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Stir until the mixture starts to bubble and is well combined.
4. Coat the Mixture: Pour the warm coating over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Stir gently to ensure everything is well coated.
5. Bake: Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even baking.
6. Cool Down: Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This will help it become crunchy.
7. Add Color: If using food coloring, drizzle it over the cooled mix and toss to distribute evenly.
8. Store: Once cooled, store the Chex Mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

These steps will guide you in creating this amazing 4th of July Chex Mix effortlessly.