Sparkling Cider Apple Mix

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

This snack mix has become a favorite at our holiday gatherings thanks to its delightful crunch and 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

Boil water quickly for tea, coffee, instant soups, and faster prep when cooking grains or noodles.

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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 23 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 2530 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.

Boil water quickly for tea, coffee, instant soups, and faster prep when cooking grains or noodles.

Check price on Amazon

Boil water quickly for tea, coffee, instant soups, and faster prep when cooking grains or noodles.

Check price on Amazon

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This recipe always brings smiles and fun memories to our family celebrations.

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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Quickly cook hard boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs and omelets for easy breakfasts and meal prep.

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Enjoy this sparkling cider snack mix as a festive treat anytime you want to impress your guests.

Your Questions Answered

→ Can I substitute the sparkling apple cider?

Yes, you can replace sparkling apple cider with apple juice or a non-carbonated cider for a similar flavor profile.

→ How can I make this mix spicier?

Adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cayenne pepper to the glaze enhances warmth and spice without overpowering sweetness.

→ What storage method keeps the mix fresh?

Store the cooled mix in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crispness and flavor for up to a week.

→ Are there easy nut-free substitutions?

Yes, you can omit peanuts or swap them for roasted chickpeas or seeds to keep the crunch without nuts.

→ Can I use different dried fruits instead of apple chips?

Dried cranberries or golden raisins make excellent alternatives, offering a tangy twist to the snack mix.