If you’re on the hunt for a snack that wraps up all the magic of autumn into every single handful, look no further than this Apple Pie Chex Mix. Imagine a mix that’s sweet, crunchy, lightly spiced, and just a little bit nostalgic, with flavors reminiscent of your favorite homemade apple pie. Whether it becomes your go-to for fall gatherings, road trips, or movie nights on the couch, this mix is almost impossible to stop munching once you start. It’s easy enough that anyone can whip it up and impressive enough that everyone will be begging for the recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Apple Pie Chex Mix lies in its simple, familiar ingredients that work together to create big flavor and fantastic texture. Each item plays a key role, so don’t be tempted to skip anything!
- Rice Chex cereal: Acts as the crispy, light base that soaks up all the buttery sweetness with every bite.
- Cinnamon Chex cereal: Adds extra toasty spice and depth, highlighting those cozy apple pie notes.
- Dried apple chips, roughly chopped: Bring chewy, naturally sweet bursts that taste just like soft-baked apple pie filling.
- Pecan halves: Add a buttery crunch and a slightly nutty warmth that balances out all the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into every crevice, making each bite absolutely addictive and carrying all those sweet flavors.
- Brown sugar: Gives that classic caramelized sweetness reminiscent of apple pie’s gooey base.
- Granulated sugar: Provides a bit of extra crispness and balances the deep molasses flavor of the brown sugar.
- Apple pie spice: The superstar seasoning! This blend infuses each mouthful with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice goodness.
- Ground cinnamon: Bumps up the warm spice factor and makes the whole house smell incredible as the mix bakes.
- Salt: Just a touch is key to making all the other flavors pop and keeps the mix from being too one-note sweet.
- Vanilla extract: Adds an irresistible bakery-fresh aroma and rounds out the whole snack mix experience.
How to Make Apple Pie Chex Mix
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Begin by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C). While that’s warming up, grab a large mixing bowl and set up a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. These quick steps set you up for a mess-free, easy-breezy process.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In your large bowl, toss together the Rice Chex, Cinnamon Chex, chopped dried apple chips, and pecan halves. Get your hands in there to make sure all the goodies are evenly mixed. This medley is the backbone of your Apple Pie Chex Mix, so take a moment to appreciate all that crunchy potential.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Spice Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it’s wonderfully smooth. Add in both sugars, the apple pie spice, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir constantly until the mixture is dissolved and the kitchen is filled with sweet, spicy aromas. Off the heat, stir in the vanilla extract—don’t skip this; it gives your mix that irresistible pie flavor.
Step 4: Pour and Toss
Drizzle the warm, spiced butter mixture over the Chex mixture in your large bowl. Use a spatula or clean hands to gently toss and coat everything evenly. You want all the pieces to get a lovely, glistening sheen so every bite is bursting with flavor.
Step 5: Bake Until Crispy
Spread your coated mix in a single layer on your lined baking sheet. Slide it into the oven and bake for 45 minutes, giving it a gentle stir every 15 minutes. Don’t skip the stirring—it helps the mix bake up perfectly golden and crisp, ensuring that signature Apple Pie Chex Mix crunch.
Step 6: Cool and Store
Once out of the oven, let the mix cool completely right on the baking sheet. This step is important for maximum crunch and no soggy pieces! After it’s cooled, transfer the mix to an airtight container for up to a week (if it lasts that long around your snack-savvy crowd).
How to Serve Apple Pie Chex Mix
Garnishes
Dress up your snack with a drizzle of white chocolate once the mix has cooled, or toss in a handful of extra apple chips and cinnamon-dusted pecans for a bakery-worthy finish. Even a light dusting of powdered sugar will give it a beautiful, snowy touch for special occasions or holiday parties.
Side Dishes
Apple Pie Chex Mix is plenty delicious all on its own, but it’s also perfectly suited as a sweet partner to a mug of hot apple cider, chai tea, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pair it with a cheese platter for a fun contrast, or serve alongside a fruit tray for a snack spread everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this mix in mini mason jars tied with ribbon for a fun, portable party favor, or heap it into festive bowls for casual snacking. For a crowd, set up a snack bar with other flavored Chex mixes and assorted toppings—let guests customize their own blend, with Apple Pie Chex Mix as the star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover mix fresh and crunchy by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay delicious for up to a week, though it tends to disappear much faster!
Freezing
If you’d like to make Apple Pie Chex Mix in advance, it freezes beautifully. Just place completely cooled mix in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Thaw at room temperature and give the mix a quick stir before serving to rediscover all that crave-worthy crunch.
Reheating
If your mix has lost any of its crunch after storage, spread it on a baking sheet and pop it in a 200°F oven for about 10 minutes. Let it cool completely and it’ll be crisp as ever—good as new for snacking!
FAQs
Can I substitute other nuts for pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even cashews work well. Pecans give that classic, pie-inspired flavor, but feel free to swap in your favorite nut or seed blend.
Is Apple Pie Chex Mix gluten-free?
If you use certified gluten-free Chex cereals and ensure your other ingredients are gluten-free, this snack mix is easy to adapt for gluten-sensitive snackers.
How do I make this mix vegan?
Swap out the butter for a vegan butter alternative and double-check that your sugars are vegan-friendly. The rest of the ingredients are naturally plant-based, so it’s a simple tweak!
Can I add extra mix-ins?
Definitely! White chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, or mini pretzels all make delicious additions. Just keep the quantities similar so the butter mixture still coats everything evenly.
What’s the best way to transport Apple Pie Chex Mix to a party?
Pack it in a big zip-top bag or a sturdy, lidded container. Portioning into smaller containers or decorative gift bags also makes sharing a breeze at gatherings or as holiday treats.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about a bowl of Apple Pie Chex Mix—comforting, festive, and so easy to love. I’m sure this irresistible snack will bring smiles (and requests for seconds!) whenever you make it. Give it a try, and watch it become the new star of your snacking repertoire.
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Apple Pie Chex Mix Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with this Apple Pie Chex Mix. A perfect blend of sweet and savory, this snack mix is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Rice Chex Mix:
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
Cinnamon Chex Mix:
- 4 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried apple chips, roughly chopped
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Mix cereals and nuts: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Cinnamon Chex, dried apple chips, and pecans.
- Prepare butter mixture: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, granulated sugar, apple pie spice, cinnamon, and salt until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Coat cereal mixture: Pour the butter mixture over the cereal mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Bake: Spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes at 250°F (120°C), stirring every 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Cool and store: Allow to cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- Add a drizzle of white chocolate after baking for extra sweetness.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
