
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and Easy: Requires minimal preparation and no baking, making it an ideal last-minute treat.
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Customizable: Easily adaptable to include your favorite snacks or to accommodate dietary preferences.
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Festive Appearance: The red, white, and blue elements make it a visually appealing addition to any 4th of July celebration.
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Crowd-Pleaser: A delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors that appeals to both kids and adults.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Rice Chex cereal
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Corn Chex cereal
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Cheerios cereal
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Mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks
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Red, white, and blue M&M’s
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White chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark
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Vegetable oil or shortening (if using white chocolate chips)
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Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
Directions
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Prepare the Workspace: Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Cheerios, and pretzels.
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Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
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Coat the Mix: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal and pretzel mixture. Stir gently to ensure all pieces are even
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Add M&M’s and Sprinkles: While the mixture is still wet, fold in the red, white, and blue M&M’s. If desired, sprinkle the festive sprinkles over the mix for added color.
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Set and Serve: Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Allow it to cool and harden at room temperature or place it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Once set, break the mix into clusters and serve.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: Approximately 10-12 servings
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Preparation Time: 15 minutes
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Cooling Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Nutty Addition: Incorporate dry roasted peanuts or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
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Popcorn Mix: Add plain popped popcorn to the mix for an extra layer of texture.
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Different Cereals: Experiment with other cereals like Wheat Chex or Cap’n Crunch (without berries) to vary the taste and texture.
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Chocolate Drizzle: After the mix has set, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the clusters for a decadent touch.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For optimal freshness, consume within 3-4 days.
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Freezing: Place the mix in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
What if I can’t find red, white, and blue M&M’s?
You can use regular M&M’s and pick out the red and blue candies. The white chocolate coating will provide the white color to maintain the patriotic theme.
Can I make this snack mix ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the mix a few days in advance. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its freshness.
Is there a substitute for white chocolate?
If you prefer, you can use vanilla almond bark or white candy melts as alternatives to white chocolate chips.Sweets & Thank You
How do I prevent the white chocolate from hardening too quickly?
Work efficiently when mixing and spreading the coated ingredients. Having all components ready before melting the chocolate helps streamline the process.
Can I add other candies to the mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to include other festive candies like red licorice bites or colored candy-coated chocolates to enhance the mix.
What type of pretzels works best?
Mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks are ideal due to their size and ease of mixing.Chelsea’s Messy Apron+1Sweets & Thank You+1
How can I make this mix gluten-free?
Use gluten-free versions of the cereals and pretzels, and ensure that all added candies are certified gluten-free.Sweets & Thank You
Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead?
While white chocolate maintains the patriotic color scheme, you can use dark or milk chocolate if preferred. The flavor will differ, and the appearance will be less thematic.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep any remaining snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, consider freezing as mentioned above.Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, this recipe scales well. Simply double the ingredients, ensuring you have a large enough mixing bowl and additional baking sheets for cooling.
Conclusion
This 4th of July Snack Mix is a delightful blend of sweet and salty flavors, offering a festive treat that’s both easy to prepare and sure to be a hit at any patriotic celebration. Its versatility allows for various adaptations to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Enjoy this colorful and crunchy mix as you celebrate Independence Day with friends and family.
Print
4th of July Snack Mix
- Total Time: 35min
- Yield: 10-12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate Independence Day with this festive and easy-to-make 4th of July Snack Mix. Packed with crunchy cereals, salty pretzels, and sweet M&M’s®, all coated in smooth white chocolate, this colorful treat is perfect for patriotic parties and will be a hit with guests of all ages. Customize it to suit your taste and enjoy the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
Rice Chex cereal
Corn Chex cereal
Cheerios cereal
Mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks
Red, white, and blue M&M’s®
White chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark
Vegetable oil or shortening (if using white chocolate chips)
Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Workspace: Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Cheerios, and pretzels.
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Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.
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Coat the Mix: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal and pretzel mixture, stirring gently to coat evenly.
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Add M&M’s and Sprinkles: While the mixture is still wet, fold in the red, white, and blue M&M’s. Optionally, sprinkle festive sprinkles over the mix.
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Set and Serve: Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Allow it to cool and harden at room temperature or place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Once set, break into clusters and serve.
Notes
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For a nutty addition, you can incorporate dry roasted peanuts or almonds for extra crunch.
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Popcorn can be added for an additional texture.
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If you prefer, you can use vanilla almond bark or white candy melts instead of white chocolate chips.
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To prevent the white chocolate from hardening too quickly, make sure all ingredients are ready before melting the chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American