Crunchy Crispix cereal, toasted pecans, brown sugar, butter, and a homemade caramel glaze come together in this easy Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe!
You know how some recipes just stick with you? Like, you make it once and suddenly it’s on repeat for every holiday, birthday, and random Tuesday? That’s exactly what happened with this Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe. It’s one of those snacks that somehow became “my thing” without me really meaning for it to. I blame my sister-in-law, honestly.
It was Thanksgiving a few years back. I had a whole plan—turkey, stuffing, the works. But of course, I forgot to make something for the kids to snack on before dinner. Rookie move, right? So, I remembered this recipe that my sister-in-law made for a baby shower years ago. Sweet, crunchy, ridiculously easy… and it had that salty-sweet thing going on that makes people lose their minds. I threw it together (half expecting it to be a flop because, well, panic cooking) and it was gone before the turkey even made it out of the oven. No kidding. The kids loved it. The adults hovered over the bowl like hawks. And I maybe ate a little more than I should’ve while pretending I was “taste-testing.”
And here we are. I still make it. Every. Single. Year. Because apparently, I’m the Praline Crunch Lady now. And you know what? I’m totally fine with that.
Why You’ll Love This Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe?
First things first: it’s insanely easy. No candy thermometer. No weird ingredients. Just simple stuff you probably already have, mixed together into something way more delicious than it has any right to be.
Also:
- It’s sweet and salty. The best of both worlds.
- There’s that amazing crunch you didn’t even know you needed.
- It’s perfect for sharing. Or, you know, not sharing. I don’t judge.
- It’s one of those recipes that people always ask for. Get ready to pass it around.
Ingredient Notes:
Before you dive in, here’s a little lowdown on what makes this Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe so addictive. (Fair warning.)
- Crispix Cereal (8 cups): It’s light, it’s crispy, and it holds up like a champ. I’ve tried it with Chex, and it’s fine—but Crispix just works better.
- Pecan Halves (2 cups): Go for the salted ones. Trust me. The saltiness cuts through the sweet and makes it even more addictive.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup): Light brown is my go-to, but dark brown gives you more of that deep caramel flavor if you’re into that.
- Corn Syrup (½ cup): Yeah, I know it gets a bad rap. But this isn’t health food—it’s dessert, and corn syrup gives the caramel that glossy finish.
- Butter (½ cup): Real butter, please. Margarine just doesn’t cut it.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Adds that warm, cozy flavor that makes the whole thing sing.
- Baking Soda (½ tsp): This is the secret sauce. It makes the caramel puff up so it coats everything. Don’t skip it!
How To Make Praline Crunch Snack Mix?
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 250°F. Grab your biggest mixing bowl (seriously, go big) and a 9×13 baking pan. I line mine with parchment because I hate scrubbing caramel off pans. You too? Thought so.
Step 2: Mix the Base
Dump 8 cups of Crispix and 2 cups of pecans into your bowl. Give it a stir. Try not to eat all the pecans before you get to the caramel part.
Step 3: Make the Caramel
Want To Save This Recipe?
Melt ½ cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add ½ cup brown sugar and ½ cup corn syrup. Stir it all together and bring it to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, take it off the heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla and ½ tsp baking soda. It’ll foam up a little—totally normal. Actually, kind of fun to watch.
Step 4: Combine
Pour that hot, sticky caramel goodness over your cereal and pecans. Stir, stir, stir. You want every little piece coated in caramel. It’s messy. Embrace it.
Step 5: Bake and Stir
Spread the mixture evenly in your pan. Pop it in the oven for an hour. Every 20 minutes, give it a good stir so it doesn’t clump up too much.
Step 6: Cool and Break
When it’s done, spread it out on wax or
Storage Options:
- Room Temp: Store it in an airtight container for up to a week. It stays crunchy, promise.
- Freezer: Want to make a double batch? Freeze half! It’ll keep for about 3 months. Just bring it to room temp before eating.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Nuts: Walnuts or cashews are great if you’re out of pecans.
- Cereal: Chex works in a pinch. Even popcorn! (Although you’ll want to skip the baking step if you go that route.)
- Extras: Toss in M&Ms after baking for a colorful twist. Or drizzle with melted chocolate. No wrong answers here.
- Spice It Up: A dash of cayenne or cinnamon gives it a fun little kick. Spicy-sweet lovers, this one’s for you.
What to Serve with Praline Crunch Snack Mix?
- Holiday Parties: Set out a big bowl and watch it disappear. Works as a party favor too!
- Game Day: It’s the perfect snack for a crowd. Salty + sweet = touchdown.
- Movie Night: Better than popcorn, if you ask me. And you can eat it by the handful.
- Gift Giving: Bag it up, tie it with a ribbon, and you’ve got the easiest homemade gift ever.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to stir it every 20 minutes?
Yup! That’s how you get it nice and crispy without clumps. Set a timer if you’re forgetful like me.
Can I double the recipe?
Oh, for sure. Just make sure you have a big enough pan—or split it into two pans. Crowding is not your friend here.
How long does it stay fresh?
About a week at room temp… if it lasts that long. Mine’s usually gone in a day. Two if I’m lucky.
So that’s it! My favorite Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe in all its sweet, salty glory. If you make it (and I really think you should), tell me how it goes! Did you put your own spin on it? Did your family love it? Or did you keep the whole batch for yourself? No judgment—I’ve done the same.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Praline Crunch Snack Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 c Crispix cereal
- 2 c pecan halves salted
- ½ c brown sugar packed
- ½ c corn syrup
- ½ c butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250ºF.
- In a bowl combine 8 cups of Crispix cereal with 2 cups of pecan halves.
- In a saucepan mix ½ cup of sugar, ½ cup of corn syrup and ½ cup of butter. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it starts boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
- Pour the caramel mixture, over the cereal and pecans. Stir well to ensure that everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture into a baking pan measuring 9x13 inches. Bake for one hour making sure to stir every twenty minutes for crisping.
- After baking transfer the mixture onto wax or parchment paper to cool down. Once adequately cooled break it into pieces.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
