Sweet with a hint of cinnamon – this Cinnamon Caramel Snack Mix is easy to make and great for snacking! Perfect for movie night, lunch snacks, or just when you feel like a sweet snack.
Love a good caramel snack? Also check out this Baked Caramel Popcorn or this Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn.
Looking for the next snack for your at home movie night? Or looking for a great after school snack for the kids?
This Cinnamon Caramel Snack Mix is what you need!
Filled with lots of cinnamon and caramel flavor, all with a great crunch, this is a snack mix that is loved by people of all ages. It sweet and addictive – you’re sure to find yourself going back again and again for another handful!
Ingredients
Cereal: I use a mix of corn and rice cereals. You can use the brand name cereal (Chex) or the store brand works just as well!
Butter: I use unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, just cut back on the salt slightly.
Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar would work in this recipe, as well.
Corn Syrup: The corn syrup will not only help with sweetness, but it keeps the caramel from being grainy.
Salt: I prefer to use sea salt.
Vanilla: Real vanilla extract will give you the best results.
Cinnamon: The cinnamon can be left out if you aren’t a fan, but it really adds some great flavor to this recipe.
How to Make Cinnamon Caramel Snack Mix
Spread the cereal on a large baking sheet that is covered with parchment paper.
Start by melting your butter in a medium saucepan.
Once the butter is melted, add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Mix this all together. You can keep stirring until the mixture starts boiling, then let it cook for 5 minutes without stirring it.
Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the vanilla and the cinnamon.
Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the cereal. You want to do this as evenly as possible. Don’t worry if it’s not all covered – you’ll be stirring the mixture a few times, but you want to try to make it as even as possible.
Use a spatula to lightly stir the mixture. DO NOT TOUCH IT WITH YOUR HANDS. The syrup is very hot. Spread the mixture out into a single layer as much as possible.
Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir again. The syrup and cereal will be nice and hot now, so it will be a lot easier to stir. Again, make sure you are using a spatula to stir.
Return it to the oven for another 5-8 minutes, then remove and stir one more time before letting it sit until cooled.
Break the snack mix into pieces before serving.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with the cereal. I wouldn’t add a sugared cereal, but besides that, the sky is the limit! I would also choose a cereal that will hold up to being stirred a few times.
This is pretty basic, with just the cereal and the caramel mixture. But you could add in nuts or candy or pretzels if you like a little more salt.
How to Store this Snack Mix
I like to store this snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It should last quite some time. But honestly, it never lasts more than a couple of days at our house because everyone loves it so much!
More Treats for Snack Time
Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Balls
Muddy Buddy Popcorn
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cracker Cookies
Peanut Butter Popcorn
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Cinnamon Caramel Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups crisp corn cereal such as Corn Chex
- 2 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal such as Rice Chex
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread both cereals onto the baking sheet. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the corn syrup, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, do not stir and let the mixture cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and the cinnamon.
- Pour the mixture over the cereal on the baking sheet. Pour as evenly as possible. Use a spatula to lightly mix the caramel mixture into the cereal. Try to keep the mixture in as much of a single layer as possible. Do not touch with your hands – it will be very hot.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, then remove the baking sheet and stir the mixture again. Return the the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and stir one more time. Let the mixture sit until cooled, then break into pieces before serving.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh man, this looks so addicting! I love mixes like this 🙂
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
I love cereal. I don’t eat it for breakfast often but it’s my late night go to snack! You’d have to lock up the cinnamon-caramel mix as my self control would go out the window and I think I’d gobble it up all by myself!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I eat cereal every day for dinner now so this is right up my alley!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Growing up, I used to eat so much cereal, I’m surprised I didn’t turn into it 🙂 Love any and all!
Joanne says
I feel kind of like I need to have a cereal par-TAY after reading this!
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
I love cereal mixes. I find they are (at least in my mind healthier) than munching on a packet of crisps. In Australia we have one called “Nuts and bolts”, which is savoury malted grain and peanut mix.
Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More says
love your ideas Deborah!!
Tieghan says
This is so fun and really perfect for the upcoming (hopefully) hot weather!! All the combos so so good!!