Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies Recipe
Salted Caramel Muddy Buddies are a deliciously sweet and salty snack made by coating crunchy Chex cereal with a homemade salted caramel sauce, then dusting it with powdered sugar for an irresistible treat perfect for parties, movie nights, or gifting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 10 cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cereal
- 9 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn)
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
Coating
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Cereal: Place 9 cups of Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set it aside for coating later.
- Make Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Stir constantly until the mixture reaches a boil. Once boiling, allow it to cook for 1 minute without stirring to develop the caramel flavor.
- Add Flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon sea salt to infuse the caramel with rich, salty undertones.
- Coat Cereal: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the prepared Chex cereal in the bowl. Gently stir to ensure all pieces are thoroughly coated without breaking the cereal.
- Cool and Toss: Spread the caramel-coated cereal onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes so the caramel sets slightly.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Transfer the cooled, coated cereal into a large resealable plastic bag or mixing bowl. Add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, seal or cover, and gently shake or toss until the cereal is evenly coated with the powdered sugar.
- Serve: Optionally, sprinkle a little extra sea salt over the top for an enhanced salty-sweet contrast, then serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Flavor Variations: Add cinnamon or cocoa powder to the powdered sugar for a different twist on the flavor profile.
- Texture Tip: For extra crunchiness, lightly toast the cereal before coating with caramel.
- Serving Suggestion: Perfect for movie nights, holiday parties, or packaged as delicious gift jars.
- Allergy Note: Verify that the Chex cereal is gluten-free if required for dietary needs.
Keywords: muddy buddies, salted caramel snacks, caramel popcorn, sweet and salty snacks, party snacks, easy snack recipe, caramel treats
