Praline Crunch

If you’re looking for a snack that’s as addictive as it is delicious, this Praline Crunch recipe is for you! It’s the perfect combination of crispy cereal, buttery caramel, and crunchy pecans, all baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re making a batch for a holiday gathering, movie night, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, this recipe is sure to be a hit.

With a rich praline coating that clings to every bite, this snack mix brings together sweet and salty flavors in the most delightful way. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make — just mix, bake, and enjoy! Let’s dive into the recipe and explore why this treat deserves a permanent spot in your snack rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: No complicated techniques here — just mix, bake, and stir.

Crunchy and Addictive: The caramelized coating makes every bite irresistibly crunchy.

Perfect for Sharing: Great for parties, holidays, or gifting in cute bags or jars.

Long-Lasting: Stays crispy for days, so you can make it ahead of time.

Customizable: Swap out the nuts, add spices, or toss in extras like pretzels or M&Ms.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these pantry staples to make your own batch of Praline Crunch:

8 cups Crispix cereal 🥣: The perfect choice for a light, airy crunch. You can also use Chex or another crispy cereal.

2 cups pecan halves 🥜: Salted pecans add a delicious contrast to the sweet coating.

1 cup packed brown sugar: Brings a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the mix.

½ cup corn syrup: Helps create the glossy, sticky coating that hardens into a crunchy shell.

½ cup butter 🧈: Adds that signature buttery richness to the praline glaze.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with warm, sweet notes.

½ teaspoon baking soda 🧪: The magic ingredient that makes the caramel puff up and coat everything evenly.

How to Make Praline Crunch

Let’s walk through the simple steps to create this crunchy, caramel-coated snack!

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 250ºF (120ºC). This low-and-slow bake ensures the praline coating hardens without burning the cereal or nuts.

Step 2: Combine Cereal and Pecans

In a large mixing bowl, toss together the Crispix cereal and pecan halves. Make sure you use a big enough bowl to stir everything easily later on — you’ll be adding the caramel coating to this mixture.

Step 3: Make the Praline Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil. Once boiling, let it bubble for 2 minutes, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and baking soda. The mixture will foam up — that’s the baking soda working to create air bubbles, which help the coating spread evenly.

Step 4: Coat the Cereal and Pecans

Immediately pour the hot praline sauce over the cereal and pecan mixture. Gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is evenly coated. Work quickly here, as the caramel will start to thicken as it cools.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Spread the coated cereal and nuts onto a lined baking sheet (use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking). Bake at 250ºF for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to make sure the coating bakes evenly.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Once the Praline Crunch is golden brown and crispy, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. The coating will harden as it cools, creating that signature crunch. Break it into clusters, and your snack is ready to devour!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Praline Crunch

Use Fresh Pecans: Fresh, high-quality pecans make a difference. If yours taste a bit stale, toast them in a dry skillet for a few minutes to revive their flavor.

Work Quickly with the Caramel: The praline coating starts to set as it cools, so mix fast once you pour it over the cereal.

Don’t Skip the Stirring: Stirring every 15 minutes during baking helps the coating distribute evenly and prevents clumps.

Line Your Baking Sheet: Caramel is sticky! Use parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.

Let It Cool Completely: The mix will crisp up as it cools, so be patient before digging in.

Variations and Add-Ins

Want to make this recipe your own? Try these tasty variations:

Nut Swap: Use almonds, walnuts, or cashews instead of pecans.

Spiced Crunch: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the caramel sauce for a warm, spiced twist.

Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle the mix with melted chocolate for an extra indulgent treat.

Salty-Sweet: Toss in salted pretzels or mini popcorn for added crunch and a salty kick.

Holiday Flair: Add red and green M&Ms for a festive Christmas snack mix.

Serving Suggestions

Praline Crunch is perfect as:

A Snack Bowl Favorite: Serve it in a big bowl for movie nights or parties.

Gift in a Jar: Pack it into mason jars with a cute ribbon for a homemade gift.

Ice Cream Topping: Sprinkle it over vanilla ice cream for an instant dessert upgrade.

Yogurt Parfait Layer: Add it to Greek yogurt with berries for a crunchy, sweet breakfast.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing: Freeze in zip-top bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to Praline Crunch’s addictive texture lies in the balance of ingredients. The baking soda lightens the caramel, so it clings to every piece without becoming too hard. Meanwhile, the low oven temperature slowly crisps everything up, locking in the perfect crunch.

It’s a simple recipe, but each step — from the caramel bubbling to stirring during baking — builds layers of flavor and texture that make this snack truly irresistible.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made homemade snack mix before, this Praline Crunch is the perfect place to start. It’s easy, delicious, and endlessly customizable. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell absolutely amazing!

Whether you’re prepping for a party, filling holiday gift bags, or just treating yourself to something special, this recipe delivers every time. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised when the whole batch disappears in record time!

Happy snacking!

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