Sparkling Cider Snack Mix

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.

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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

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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.