Save A festive, crunchy snack mix with a sweet apple-cider glaze, perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.
This mix instantly became a favorite at our holiday parties with its irresistible sweet and salty flavor.
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
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, combine rice cereal, pretzels, peanuts, apple chips, and popcorn. Gently toss to mix.
- Step 3:
- 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.
- Step 4:
- Immediately pour the cider glaze over the dry mix. Toss gently with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Step 5:
- Spread the mix evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6:
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the mix is golden and crisp.
- Step 7:
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. The mix will crisp as it cools.
- Step 8:
- Once cooled, break into clusters if needed and serve or store in an airtight container.
Save Our family loves gathering around the table with this snack mix during the holidays it’s always a hit.
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
Save This sparkling cider snack mix adds festive crunch to any gathering enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different cider for the glaze?
Yes, sparkling apple cider is recommended for its sweet, bubbly notes, but you can substitute with regular apple juice or a non-alcoholic apple beverage if preferred.
- → How do I store the snack mix to keep it crispy?
Store the cooled mix in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crunchiness for up to one week.
- → Are there any recommended nut alternatives?
Honey roasted peanuts can be swapped for candied pecans or almonds to add a different nutty flavor profile.
- → Can I add spices to enhance flavor?
Adding a pinch of nutmeg or extra cinnamon can enhance warmth and depth in the glaze.
- → Is it possible to make this snack mix gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, choose gluten-free rice cereal and pretzels, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.