Save to Pinterest A festive, crunchy snack mix with a sweet apple-cider glaze, perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.
I love serving this party mix at every celebration because it's always a crowd-pleaser and adds a festive touch.
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.
- Mix 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 23 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.
- Arrange on Sheet:
- Spread the mix evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake:
- Bake for 2530 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:
- Once cooled, break into clusters if needed and serve or store in an airtight container.
Save to Pinterest This mix always brings my family together around the snack table during holidays making every moment special.
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 to Pinterest Enjoy this festive snack mix fresh or store in an airtight container to keep it crunchy.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients make up the cider glaze?
The glaze combines unsalted butter, brown sugar, sparkling apple cider, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and vanilla extract to create a sweet and aromatic coating.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary preferences?
Yes, try swapping honey roasted peanuts with candied pecans or replace dried apple chips with dried cranberries for different flavor profiles.
- → How long do I bake the mix for a crisp texture?
Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through until the mix turns golden and crisp.
- → What is the best way to store the snack mix?
Once cooled, store the mix in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunchiness.
- → Are there any allergens in this mix?
The mix contains peanuts, milk (from butter), and gluten (from pretzels and possibly the cereal). Check labels carefully if serving guests with allergies.