Sparkling Cider Snack Mix

A festive, crunchy snack mix with a sweet apple-cider glaze, perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.

This party mix has quickly become a holiday favorite in our family because of its irresistible sweet and crunchy texture.

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 Mix:

In a large bowl, combine rice cereal, pretzels, peanuts, apple chips, and popcorn. Gently toss to mix.

Make 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 Mix:

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:

Once cooled break into clusters if needed and serve or store in an airtight container.

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Our family loves making this mix together every holiday season creating great memories and delicious treats.

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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This Party Mix Sparkling Cider Snack Mix is the perfect sweet and crunchy treat to bring joy to any festive occasion.

Common Questions

→ What ingredients create the glaze for the snack mix?

The glaze is made from unsalted butter, brown sugar, sparkling apple cider, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and vanilla extract, blended into a sweet and slightly spiced coating.

→ How long should the mix be baked?

Bake the coated mix for 25–30 minutes at 300°F (150°C), stirring halfway through until golden and crisp.

→ Can I substitute any ingredients in the mix?

Yes, you can swap honey roasted peanuts with candied pecans or replace apple chips with dried cranberries for a different flavor twist.

→ What is the texture of the finished snack mix?

The snack mix achieves a crunchy texture with crispy clusters formed during baking as the glaze hardens.

→ Are there known allergens in this mix?

The mix contains peanuts, dairy from butter, and gluten from pretzels and possibly the cereal. Check labels for specific allergen information.