Dessert

Sparkling Cider Snack Mix Recipe

Name: Sparkling Cider Snack Mix Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups rice cereal squares (e.g., Rice Chex); 2 cups mini pretzels; 1 cup honey roasted peanuts; 1 cup dried apple chips, broken into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup plain air-popped popcorn; 0.5 cup unsalted butter; 0.5 cup packed brown sugar; 0.25 cup sparkling non-alcoholic apple cider; 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt; 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

ByLuna Ryder January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

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Introduction

This Sparkling Cider Snack Mix is a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors perfect for any occasion. With a warm cider glaze coating a mix of cereal, nuts, pretzels, and dried fruit, it’s an easy treat that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

A white plate is filled with a pile of small, square cereal pieces that are sticky and shiny with a caramel coating, giving them a textured, crunchy look. Mixed throughout the cereal squares are whole pretzels with a shiny brown surface, light beige peanuts, dark brown pecan halves, and a few pieces of white popcorn, adding variety in shape and color. The plate sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups rice cereal squares (e.g., Rice Chex)
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup honey roasted peanuts
1 cup dried apple chips, broken into bite-sized pieces
1 cup plain air-popped popcorn
0.5 cup unsalted butter
0.5 cup packed brown sugar
0.25 cup sparkling non-alcoholic apple cider
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the rice cereal squares, mini pretzels, honey roasted peanuts, dried apple chips, and air-popped popcorn. Mix until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, sparkling apple cider, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly.
Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Immediately pour the warm cider glaze over the dry snack mix. Use a spatula to toss and coat all the pieces evenly.
Step 6: Spread the coated mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the snack mix turns golden brown and crisp.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow the mix to cool completely on the baking sheet. This helps it crisp up. Break into clusters if you like before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

For an extra festive touch, add dried cranberries or chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the mix.
If you prefer a spicier flavor, try adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger to the cider glaze.
Use gluten-free cereal and pretzels to make this snack mix gluten-free.

Storage

Store the cooled snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If it loses some crunch, you can refresh it in a low oven (250°F) for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a pile of square cereal clusters that are shiny and golden brown with a sticky coating, showing a texture of puffed grains tightly packed together. Scattered among the clusters are small, round, light beige peanuts, whole pecans with a rich brown color and ridged surface, twisted pretzels with a shiny caramel color, and white popcorn pieces with a soft irregular shape. The plate sits on a wooden surface, but the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular apple cider instead of sparkling?

Yes, you can substitute regular non-alcoholic apple cider if you prefer. The sparkling cider adds a bit of fizz that helps with glazing, but the flavor will still be delicious without it.

Is this snack mix suitable for kids?

Absolutely! This mix is made with kid-friendly ingredients and has a sweet and mild flavor profile that most children enjoy. Just be mindful of any nut allergies.