Pin A festive, crunchy snack mix with a sweet apple-cider glaze, perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.
This mix has become my go-to snack for celebrations, loved by family and friends alike.
Ingredients
- Dry Mix: 3 cups rice cereal squares (such as Rice Chex), 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup honey roasted peanuts, 1 cup dried apple chips broken into bite-sized pieces, 1 cup popcorn (plain air-popped)
- Cider Glaze: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar packed, 1/4 cup sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl combine rice cereal pretzels peanuts apple chips and popcorn Gently toss to mix
- Make Cider Glaze:
- In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat Stir in brown sugar sparkling cider cinnamon and salt Bring to a gentle simmer stirring frequently for 2 3 minutes until slightly thickened Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract
- Coat Mix:
- Immediately pour the cider glaze over the dry mix Toss gently with a spatula until evenly coated
- Spread on Baking Sheet:
- Spread the mix evenly onto the prepared baking sheet
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 30 minutes stirring once halfway through until the mix is golden and crisp
- Cool:
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet The mix will crisp as it cools
- Serve or Store:
- Once cooled break into clusters if needed and serve or store in an airtight container
Pin This snack mix always brings family and friends together around the holidays.
Notes
For extra flavor add a pinch of nutmeg or swap honey roasted peanuts with candied pecans Substitute apple chips with dried cranberries for a tangy twist This mix pairs well with sparkling cider or festive mocktails
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl Saucepan Baking sheet Parchment paper Spatula
Nutritional Information
Calories 255 Total Fat 11 g Carbohydrates 36 g Protein 4 g per serving
Pin This sparkling cider snack mix is a delightful treat to share with loved ones any time of year.
Recipe Questions
- → What type of apple cider is best for the glaze?
Use sparkling, non-alcoholic apple cider to achieve a light fizzy sweetness that complements the glaze.
- → Can I substitute the nuts in this mix?
Yes, honey roasted peanuts can be replaced with candied pecans or other nuts for varied flavor and texture.
- → How do I store the snack mix to keep it fresh?
Store the cooled snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crispness for several days.
- → What is the purpose of baking the mix?
Baking crisps the ingredients and allows the cider glaze to set, resulting in a crunchy texture and enhanced flavor.
- → Can dried apple chips be swapped with other dried fruits?
Yes, dried cranberries or other dried fruits can be used for a tangy twist and added color contrast.