Crunchy fall snack mix with caramel and apple spice
A cozy, apple-cinnamon Chex mix that tastes like a caramel apple in every bite.
Meet your new favorite fall snack. This Caramel Apple Puppy Chow combines crispy Chex mix with melted white chocolate, warm apple pie spice, and soft caramel bits for a sweet treat that is perfect for parties, movie nights, or classroom snack bags. It is quick to make, wildly addictive, and budget friendly. If you are searching Puppy Chow Recipes, Chex Mix Recipes, or easy Snack Mix Recipes, this one delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Make a double batch. It disappears fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big caramel apple flavor with simple pantry ingredients
- 20 minutes start to finish
- Party ready for tailgates, Halloween, or fall snacks
- Stores well and makes great gifts
Ingredients (names only + purpose)
Full measurements are in the Tasty recipe card at the end.
- Rice Chex cereal – light, crisp base
- Pretzel minis – salty crunch
- Dried apple chips – true apple bite without moisture
- White chocolate or vanilla almond bark – sweet binder
- Caramel bits or soft caramels – chewy caramel pockets
- Unsalted butter – smooth melting
- Vanilla extract – round flavor
- Powdered sugar – classic puppy chow coating
- Apple pie spice + cinnamon – fall spice lift
- Fine sea salt – balances sweetness
- Optional: chopped pecans, toffee bits
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowl
- Heatproof bowl or saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- Gallon zip bags or lidded container
- Sheet pan with parchment
How to Make Caramel Apple Puppy Chow
- Prep the base – Add Chex, pretzels, and apple chips to a large bowl.
- Melt & flavor – In a heatproof bowl, melt white chocolate with butter. Stir in vanilla, apple pie spice, and a pinch of salt.
- Coat the mix – Pour over the cereal mixture. Fold gently until everything is glossy.
- Add caramel – Stir in caramel bits so they distribute evenly.
- Sugar shake – Transfer mixture to two large zip bags. Add powdered sugar and a little cinnamon. Seal and shake until coated.
- Set & serve – Spread on a parchment-lined sheet pan to set for 10 minutes. Break into clusters and enjoy.
Pro Tips
- Use apple chips, not soft dried apples, to keep the mix crisp.
- If the chocolate thickens, microwave 10 seconds and stir.
- For gift bags, add fall sprinkles or toffee bits.
- Halve the apple pie spice for a lighter spice profile for kids.
How to Serve
- Fill snack cups for sweet snacks at parties
- Top vanilla ice cream for a fast sweets treat
- Add to lunchboxes or movie night bowls
Make Ahead & Storage
Storing Leftovers
Airtight container at cool room temperature for 4–5 days.
Freezing
Freeze in zip bags up to 1 month. Thaw unopened at room temperature so condensation stays outside the bag.
Refreshing
If it clumps, toss with 1–2 teaspoons powdered sugar and stir.
FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate?
Yes. The flavor is less “apple pie” and more candy-bar, but still great.
Do I need caramel bits?
They help the caramel note pop. Chop soft caramels if you cannot find bits.
Can I make it nut-free?
Skip pecans and check labels on chocolate and cereal.
How do I keep it from getting soggy?
Use crisp apple chips and let the mix set fully on the sheet pan before storing.
Nutrition (estimated)
| Serving | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 230 | 2g | 34g | 9g | 1g | 22g |
Nutrition values are estimates and vary by brand.