Crunchy Caramel Snack Mix
Indulge in the irresistible crunch of this homemade Crunchy Caramel Snack Mix, a crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for any occasion! This sweet and salty delight combines Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, popped popcorn, and salted peanuts, all coated in a rich, buttery caramel glaze made from brown sugar, light corn syrup, and a touch of vanilla. Baked to golden perfection, this snack mix delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite. Whether you’re prepping for a movie night, game day, or holiday gathering, this quick and easy recipe takes just 30 minutes to make and can be stored in an airtight container for days of snacking enjoyment. It's the ultimate caramel crunch experience you'll crave again and again!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups Mini pretzels
- 3 cups Popped popcorn
- 1 cup Salted peanuts
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 0.25 cup Light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, popped popcorn, and salted peanuts. Gently mix to evenly distribute.
In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the brown sugar and light corn syrup until fully combined and smooth.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, let it cook for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly—this is normal.
Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the cereal mix in the large bowl. Toss everything gently using a wooden spoon or spatula until the pieces are evenly coated in caramel.
Spread the caramel-coated snack mix onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even coating.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the snack mix cool completely on the counter. The caramel will harden as it cools, creating a delicious crunch.
Once cool, break the snack mix into pieces, transfer to an airtight container, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4576 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 190.1 g | 244% | |
| Saturated Fat | 69.1 g | 345% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 22.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 7584 mg | 330% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 655.7 g | 238% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.7 g | 124% | |
| Total Sugars | 217.7 g | ||
| Protein | 80.3 g | 161% | |
| Vitamin D | 16.0 mcg | 80% | |
| Calcium | 1375 mg | 106% | |
| Iron | 80.7 mg | 448% | |
| Potassium | 1989 mg | 42% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
