Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix
Indulge in the delightful blend of buttery Ritz Bits, crunchy dry roasted peanuts, and a rich caramel coating in this Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix. Perfect for parties, movie nights, or as an afternoon pick-me-up, this easy-to-make recipe combines the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Gather your friends and family to share this irresistible treat that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
N/A
Servings
355
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ritz Bits miniature crackers
2 (9 ounce boxes)
Dry roasted peanuts
1 (cup)
Butter or margarine
1/2 (cup)
Granulated sugar
1 (cup)
Light corn syrup
1/2 (cup)
Vanilla extract
1 (teaspoon)
Baking soda
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large shallow baking pan with parchment paper.
2
In a huge mixing bowl, combine the Ritz Bits miniature crackers and dry roasted peanuts. Mix well to distribute evenly.
3
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add in the granulated sugar and the light corn syrup. Stir consistently until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
4
Once boiling, continue to cook for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully whisk in the vanilla extract and baking soda—the mixture will bubble up.
5
Pour the hot caramel sauce over the cracker and nut mixture, making sure to cover all pieces. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every cracker and nut is coated.
6
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even caramelization.
7
After 1 hour, remove the pan from the oven and pour the snack mix onto a large piece of waxed paper. Use a spatula to spread it out and break apart any clumps. Allow to cool completely.
8
Once cool, store the Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and crunch.
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
51g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix?
It is a delightful snack blend featuring buttery Ritz Bits, crunchy dry roasted peanuts, and a rich caramel coating that balances sweet and salty flavors.
What are the primary ingredients needed for this recipe?
The main ingredients include Ritz Bits miniature crackers, dry roasted peanuts, butter or margarine, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and baking soda.
How many boxes of Ritz Bits crackers do I need?
The recipe requires two 9-ounce boxes of Ritz Bits miniature crackers.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking the snack mix?
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) for baking this snack mix.
How long should I bake the Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix?
The mixture should be baked in the oven for a total of 1 hour.
Do I need to stir the snack mix while it is in the oven?
Yes, you should stir the mixture every 15 minutes during the baking process to ensure even caramelization.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 1/2 cup of butter or margarine.
How much dry roasted peanuts are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of dry roasted peanuts.
Should I stir the caramel mixture while it is boiling on the stove?
No, once the mixture of butter, sugar, and syrup comes to a gentle boil, you should continue to cook it for 5 minutes without stirring.
Why is baking soda added to the caramel sauce?
Baking soda is added at the end to make the mixture bubble up, creating a light and airy texture for the caramel coating.
When should I add the vanilla extract?
The vanilla extract should be carefully whisked into the caramel sauce after the saucepan has been removed from the heat.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line a large shallow baking pan with parchment paper to prevent the caramel from sticking.
What should I do after removing the pan from the oven?
Pour the snack mix onto a large piece of waxed paper and use a spatula to spread it out and break apart any large clumps.
How do I store the finished Nutty Caramel Crunch Snack Mix?
Once it has cooled completely, store the mix in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and crunch.
How many calories are in a serving of this snack mix?
There are approximately 355 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
This snack mix contains about 17g of fat per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 51g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this snack mix provide?
There are 6g of protein per serving.
Is this a good recipe for parties?
Yes, it is described as perfect for parties, movie nights, or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
What type of corn syrup should be used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of light corn syrup.
How much granulated sugar is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of granulated sugar for the caramel coating.
What is the flavor profile of this snack?
It is a sweet and salty snack, combining the saltiness of Ritz crackers and peanuts with a sweet caramel glaze.
Is this considered an easy recipe to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy-to-make recipe that is great for sharing with friends and family.
What kind of baking pan is best?
A large shallow baking pan is recommended for even distribution and baking.
Should the crackers and peanuts be mixed before adding the sauce?
Yes, combine them in a huge mixing bowl first to ensure the peanuts are evenly distributed among the crackers.
What prevents the mix from being a giant solid block?
Spreading the mix on waxed paper while warm and using a spatula to break apart clumps ensures individual bite-sized pieces.
Is this snack mix crunchy?
Yes, the combination of Ritz Bits, roasted peanuts, and a baked-on caramel coating provides a significant crunch.
Can I use regular Ritz crackers instead of Ritz Bits?
The recipe specifically calls for Ritz Bits miniature crackers for the best size and texture.
How much baking soda is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.