Praline Crunch 🥣🥜 – The Sweet & Salty Snack That Everyone Loves

There are few snacks that hit the mark quite like a crunchy, sweet, nutty treat—and Praline Crunch does it all. Imagine light, crisp cereal clusters and buttery pecans enveloped in a caramelized glaze that crackles with every bite. It’s like caramel corn’s southern cousin, and it’s positively addictive!

Whether you’re hosting a party, prepping for the holidays, planning a snack tray, or just craving something sweet and salty, this easy homemade snack mix will keep you coming back for more. Bonus? It’s made with just a few pantry staples, requires no candy thermometer, and stores beautifully for gifting or munching throughout the week.

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🥄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick to Assemble: Only 10 minutes of prep before baking.
• One Bowl, One Pot: Minimal cleanup required.
• No Candy Thermometer Needed: This caramel glaze is foolproof.
• Perfectly Balanced: Sweet from the caramel, salty from the pecans—crunchy all the way through.
• Great for Gifting: Looks beautiful in cellophane bags or jars.

If you’ve ever tasted a classic pecan praline or a caramel corn snack, this recipe brings that nostalgic flavor—with an ultra-satisfying crunch.

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🛒 Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s dive into the few but mighty ingredients that make Praline Crunch such a crowd-pleaser:

8 Cups Crispix Cereal

Crispix is perfect for this snack mix—it’s light, airy, and crisps up beautifully under the caramel coating. You can substitute with Chex mix (a blend of corn and rice is best), but Crispix holds its shape better.

2 Cups Pecan Halves (Salted Preferred)

Pecans provide buttery richness and an irresistible nutty flavor. Using salted pecans enhances the sweet-salty contrast, but unsalted works too.

Pro Tip: Toast the pecans lightly beforehand to intensify their flavor!

½ Cup Brown Sugar (Packed)

Brown sugar delivers that deep, molasses sweetness which is crucial for the “praline” flavor.

½ Cup Corn Syrup

Corn syrup gives the caramel mixture that smooth, glossy consistency and helps it stick to the cereal without turning grainy.

½ Cup Butter

The richness of butter is essential—it creates a silky caramel that coats the cereal evenly and bakes to golden perfection.

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness.

½ tsp Baking Soda

This reacts with the caramel to create a light, airy texture in the coating—essential for the snack’s delicate crunch!

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). This low temp allows the mixture to bake slowly without burning the sugars.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Mix

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• 8 cups of Crispix cereal
• 2 cups of pecan halves

Gently toss to combine and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Glaze

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup corn syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar

Stir occasionally until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and immediately stir in:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking soda

The mixture will foam slightly—this is normal and helps coat the cereal more evenly.

Step 4: Coat the Cereal & Pecans

Quickly pour the warm caramel mixture over the cereal and pecans. Using a spatula, toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.

Tip: Work fast! The mixture gets stickier as it cools.

Step 5: Bake Low and Slow

Pour the coated mix into a 9×13-inch baking pan (or two if needed to avoid overcrowding). Bake at 250°F for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes to ensure even coating and prevent clumps.

This step caramelizes the glaze further and gives the snack its signature crispness.

Step 6: Cool & Break Into Pieces

After 1 hour, remove from the oven and immediately transfer to wax or parchment paper. Let cool completely, then break into bite-sized clusters.

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🍬 How to Serve Praline Crunch

This snack is wildly versatile! Try it:

• In snack bags for road trips or lunch boxes
• At holiday parties or potlucks
• On charcuterie or dessert boards
• Packaged in mason jars as edible gifts
• As a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or even pancakes

Hosting Tip: Add white chocolate chips or drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a gourmet twist.

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🔁 Variations to Try

Twist	How to Make It
Spiced	Add ½ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the caramel
Chocolate-Dipped	Dip cooled clusters in melted white or dark chocolate
Nut-Free	Replace pecans with pretzel twists or sunflower seeds
Maple Edition	Replace corn syrup with real maple syrup for deeper flavor
Add-Ins	Mix in dried cranberries, coconut flakes, or mini marshmallows after baking

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❄️ Storage & Shelf Life

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer Friendly: Freeze in a sealed zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Humidity Warning: Moisture will soften the crunch—use silica packs or store in a dry pantry.

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🤔 FAQs

Can I use Chex cereal instead of Crispix?
Yes! Use a blend of rice and corn Chex for best texture.

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Use a large roasting pan or two baking dishes, and stir more frequently.

Can I microwave the caramel?
It’s best made on the stovetop for better control over texture and flavor.

Why add baking soda?
Baking soda introduces air into the caramel, giving it a light, non-sticky finish.

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