Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix is the ultimate party snack that’s both easy to make and utterly addictive. The combination of crunchy snacks, sweet caramelized praline coating, and toasted pecans creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile—you can customize it with your favorite nuts, cereals, or even add chocolate chips for an extra indulgent twist. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays, hosting a game night, or preparing snacks for a potluck, this party mix will definitely steal the show!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 3 cups corn chex cereal

• 2 cups pretzels (mini twists or sticks work well)

• 1 cup rice chex cereal

• 1 cup roasted pecans (or your favorite nut)

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the corn chex, rice chex, pretzels, and pecans. Stir to evenly distribute.

3. Make the praline coating: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth (about 3-4 minutes).

4. Add baking soda and vanilla: Once the praline mixture is smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.

5. Coat the dry ingredients: Pour the praline coating over the cereal, pretzels, and pecans. Gently stir the mixture to coat everything evenly.

6. Bake the mix: Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.

7. Cool the mix: Once the party mix is golden and crispy, remove it from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. The mix will continue to crisp up as it cools.

8. Add powdered sugar (optional): For an extra sweet touch, sift powdered sugar over the cooled party mix. Stir gently to coat.

9. Serve and enjoy: Once cooled completely, serve the Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix in a large bowl or store it in an airtight container for up to a week.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 8-10 servings. It requires about 10 minutes of prep time, 45 minutes of baking time, and some cooling time, making it a perfect snack to prepare ahead of time for parties or gatherings.

Variations

• Add chocolate chips: For a sweeter touch, add chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white chocolate) to the mix after it cools for an extra indulgent treat.

• Try different nuts: While pecans are traditional, you can use other nuts like almonds, walnuts, or cashews depending on your preference.

• Make it spicy: If you like a bit of heat with your sweetness, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the praline sauce for a spicy-sweet flavor combo.

• Use other cereals: You can swap out the Chex cereals for other options like Cheerios, rice puffs, or even granola for a different texture.

Storage/reheating

Store the Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The mix will stay fresh and crispy, making it perfect for long-lasting snacking. There’s no need to reheat, but if it loses its crunch, you can place it back in a low oven (250°F) for 10 minutes to crisp it up again.

FAQs

1. Can I make this mix without nuts?

Yes, you can leave out the nuts if you prefer. You can replace them with extra pretzels or add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a slightly different texture.

2. Can I use a different type of sugar?

If you prefer, you can substitute the brown sugar with coconut sugar or another sweetener of your choice, though it may change the flavor slightly.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This party mix stores well, making it perfect for prepping ahead of time. Make it the day before your event and store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.

4. How can I make this recipe vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, use dairy-free butter and substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or another non-dairy milk. Make sure your brown sugar is also vegan-friendly (some brown sugar is processed with bone char).

5. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, to make this mix gluten-free, use certified gluten-free pretzels and Chex cereals. Most Chex varieties are already gluten-free, but it’s always good to check the label to be sure.

6. Can I use a different type of cereal?

Yes, feel free to mix and match cereals based on your preferences. You can try using Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or even Frosted Flakes for a sweeter mix.

7. Can I add more sweetness?

If you prefer a sweeter mix, increase the amount of brown sugar in the praline sauce by 1-2 tablespoons, or add a bit more powdered sugar after baking.

8. Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of heavy cream?

Yes, you can substitute heavy whipping cream for the heavy cream. The consistency of the sauce will be similar, giving the mix a smooth texture.

9. How long does this mix last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the praline party mix lasts up to a week, though it’s often gone much sooner because it’s so delicious!

10. Can I make this mix in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make this mix in a slow cooker. Combine the dry ingredients and praline sauce in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Keep the lid off to let the mix crisp up.

Conclusion

Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix is a crowd-pleasing snack that’s perfect for any occasion. Its rich, sweet praline coating, combined with the crunch of cereal, pretzels, and nuts, creates a mix that’s both satisfying and addictive. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for sharing at parties, holidays, or casual get-togethers. Whether you add chocolate chips or make it spicy, this treat is sure to be a hit with everyone!

Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings
• Category: Snack,
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Sweet and Crunchy Praline Party Mix is a perfect snack for any gathering, combining the buttery sweetness of praline with crunchy cereals, pretzels, and toasted pecans. This sweet and salty mix is incredibly addictive, easy to make, and ideal for parties, holidays, or just snacking on.

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Ingredients

• 3 cups corn Chex cereal

• 2 cups pretzels (mini twists or sticks)

• 1 cup rice Chex cereal

• 1 cup roasted pecans (or your favorite nut)

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

• Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine corn Chex, rice Chex, pretzels, and pecans. Stir to distribute evenly.

• Make the praline coating: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes until smooth.

• Add baking soda and vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so stir carefully.

• Coat the dry ingredients: Pour the praline coating over the dry ingredients. Gently stir to coat everything evenly.

• Bake the mix: Spread the coated mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even coating.

• Cool and add powdered sugar (optional): Once golden and crispy, remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Optionally, sift powdered sugar over the cooled mix and stir gently to coat.

• Serve: Once completely cooled, serve the party mix in a large bowl or store in an airtight container for up to a week

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Notes

Variations: Add chocolate chips for extra indulgence or use other nuts like almonds or cashews.Spicy twist: For a spicy-sweet combo, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the praline mixture.Different cereals: Swap Chex cereals for Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or even granola for varied texture.Vegan option: Use dairy-free butter and coconut cream in place of heavy cream for a vegan version.