Elf Nibbles
This Elf Nibbles snack mix is festive and fun, sweet, salty, crunchy, and addictive. It is so simple to make and easily customizable to any holiday or special occasion!
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews (can be whole or halves/pieces)
- 1 cup crispy corn puff cereal
- 1 cup honey nut toasted oat cereal o's
- 1 cup lightly sweetened whole grain oat cereal squares (like Life cereal)
- 2 ½ cups pretzel bites
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons butter (can use a buttery spread, if preferred)
- 12.6 ounces candy-coated chocolate pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine the cashews, corn puff cereal, honey nut cereal, oat cereal squares and pretzel bites.1 cup cashews, 1 cup crispy corn puff cereal, 1 cup honey nut toasted oat cereal o's, 1 cup lightly sweetened whole grain oat cereal squares, 2 ½ cups pretzel bites
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup and butter and bring to a boil.⅓ cup pure maple syrup, 3 tablespoons butter
- Pour maple syrup/butter mixture over the cereal mixture, and toss to coat.
- Spread the snack mix on 1 large or 2 smaller baking sheets, so that the snack mix is in a single layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven and stir the mixture, gently breaking up any large chunks. Then bake for another 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool completely, then add the candy-coated chocolate pieces.12.6 ounces candy-coated chocolate pieces
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Line your baking sheet with non-stick foil or parchment paper for quick and easy cleanup.
- When combining the maple syrup and butter, stir continuously and don’t walk away—the mixture heats up quickly and can bubble over.
- You can use either salted or unsalted nuts, depending on whether you prefer a sweet-salty or mild flavor balance.
Variation Suggestions:
- Swap the cashews for peanuts, almonds, or a nut blend to change up the flavor.
- Replace the pretzel bites with mini crackers or crunchy bagel chips for a different texture.
- Try different cereal combinations, however it’s best to stick to plain or lightly sweetened varieties to keep the flavor balanced.
- Customize for the season! Use red and green candies for Christmas, pastel ones for Easter, or team colors for game day snacks.
- For a nut-free version, skip the nuts and add extra cereal or sunflower seeds for crunch.
Serving Suggestions:
- Perfect for holiday parties, movie nights, or after-school snacks.
- Package in decorative jars or treat bags for homemade gifts.
- Serve in a large bowl with a festive scoop for easy snacking at gatherings.
- Add it to a charcuterie or dessert board for a colorful touch.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks—just let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Avoid storing in humid areas to prevent the mix from becoming sticky or soft.
- This snack mix also freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before serving to retain its crisp texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 6mg
