Is this a “caramel apple Chex mix”?

Yes—if your base is cereal squares and pretzels, it eats like a caramel apple Chex mix , just without a sticky syrup.

Can I make it the day before?

Absolutely. This no-bake caramel apple snack mix keeps its crunch if you store it airtight at room temperature. Toss once before serving.

Both. Rice is extra-crisp; corn is toastier. A half-and-half blend keeps the caramel apple snack mix interesting by the handful.

Sure. Stir in chips or chopped bars at the very end and keep the bowl away from heat. If your home runs warm, candy-coated pieces hold best.

How do I keep it from tasting too sweet?

Use candy as accents, not the base. If you overdid it, add pretzels and a tiny pinch of flaky salt—the sweet and salty snack mix balance comes right back.

Caramel Apple Snack Mix — Quick, Crunchy & Easy

Description

A quick, crisp, no-bake caramel apple snack mix with cereal squares, mini pretzels, dried apples, caramel bits, and warm cinnamon—sweet–salty and crowd-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups rice or corn cereal squares (about 240 g)
2 cups mini pretzels (about 100 g)
1 cup dried apple rings, snipped small (about 70 g)
½–1 cup apple chips (about 20–40 g)
¾ cup caramel bits or finely chopped soft caramels (about 120 g)
½ cup toffee bits or butterscotch chips (about 85 g)
1–1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon or apple pie spice (2–3 g), to taste
Pinch flaky sea salt, to taste

Optional add-ins (stir in at the very end):

1 cup mini marshmallows (about 50 g)
½ cup yogurt chips (about 85 g)
½–1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts (60–120 g)

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Instructions

In a very large bowl, combine the cereal squares and mini pretzels; toss gently.
Add the snipped dried apple rings and a light handful of apple chips; reserve a small handful of chips for garnish.
Sprinkle the caramel bits and toffee bits evenly over the surface; fold 2–3 times from the bottom so they distribute.
Dust with cinnamon (or apple pie spice) and add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt; fold slowly with broad strokes.
Taste a full handful. If too sweet, add a handful of pretzels and a pinch of salt; for more “pie,” add ¼ teaspoon more spice.
Spread on a parchment-lined sheet for 5–10 minutes to settle. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with reserved apple chips, and finish with a whisper of flaky salt.

Notes

Tiny upgrade (still no-bake): Two quick mists of neutral oil on the cereal + pretzel base before adding spice help powders cling—no gloss, no grease.
Add chocolate chips only after mixing and cooling; keep away from warm lights.
Keep candy as accents; too much candy makes the mix cloying.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Snack, Dessert
Method: No-Bake (One-Bowl)
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (~40 g)
Calories: 245 kcal
Sugar: 21 g
Sodium: 240 mg
Fat: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 2.5 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg