Caramel Apple Puppy Chow

Let Me Tell You About Caramel Apple Puppy Chow

So. Caramel Apple Puppy Chow. If you’ve ever needed a snack that tastes like autumn but doesn’t require, you know, actual baking (because sometimes the oven is just a no-go in my kitchen), this is it. First time I made it, my brother texted me three times in a row asking if I had more. I’m not saying it’s addictive… but I’ve caught myself eating it straight from the freezer with a spoon. No judgement, right? Honestly, it reminds me of those fairs from my childhood — except you don’t get sticky hands or a face full of caramel, unless you’re me and get a little too enthusiastic coating the cereal. Anyway, let’s dig in. Or at least, let’s talk about it. (And I promise, no dogs are eating this chow—it’s just the name!)

Why I Keep Making This (and Why You Will, Too)

I make this when the leaves start turning and my craving for caramel apples is peaking (usually around the time my local orchard closes and I realize I have zero apples left). My kids go wild for this stuff, probably because it’s crunchy, sweet, and just a little messy (they love the mess, not me). I used to hate how the caramel would never coat evenly, but then I found that if you just give it a good shake (in a bag, not bare hands, unless you want sticky fingers for days), it pretty much sorts itself out. Plus, you can snack on the “test” pieces as you go—someone’s gotta do quality control.

What You’ll Need (and What I Sometimes Swap)

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (Honestly, any crispy rice cereal works. My grandma swears by Corn Chex, but I think she just likes being contrary.)
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (Or candy melts. I’ve used them when I was out of chips, and nobody noticed.)
• 1/4 cup caramel bits (If you can’t find these, just chop up soft caramels. I’ve done it in a pinch.)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 packet apple cider drink mix (If you can’t find this, a teaspoon or so of apple pie spice and a splash of apple juice concentrate is…sort of the same.)
• 1 to 1.5 cups powdered sugar (I just eyeball it, to be honest. Sometimes more, sometimes less.)
• Big pinch of sea salt (Trust me, don’t skip this—it’s like magic with the caramel!)
• Optional: 1/2 cup dried apple pieces, chopped (Totally not essential, but if you have them, throw them in.)

How I Throw This Together

1. Get a big bowl. Dump your cereal in. No need to be precious about it. (If your bowl’s too small, just split it up—learned that the messy way.)
2. Melt chocolate, caramel bits, and butter together. I do this in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring each time. Sometimes the caramel gets stubborn—just keep stirring. Or, if it’s being really difficult, I switch to the stovetop and nudge it along on low heat. Don’t let it scorch. I did that once, and yikes, the smell lingers for days.
3. Stir in the apple cider mix. Off the heat, dump it in and stir. It’ll smell like fall exploded in your kitchen (in a good way, not a pumpkin spice air freshener way).
4. Pour the gooey mixture all over the cereal. Use a spatula or spoon. Get in there. Don’t worry if it looks a bit weird at this stage—it always does! Stir until coated, but if you have a huge chunk that’s extra-caramelly, that’s the cook’s treat.
5. Now comes the powdered sugar. This is the fun part. Toss the coated cereal (gently, unless you want dust everywhere—been there) into a big zip-top bag with half the sugar. Seal and shake. Add more sugar if it still looks shiny. I usually sneak a piece or two at this stage. Quality control.
6. Toss in those dried apple bits, if you’re using them. Mix, then let it all cool/spread on a baking sheet if you want it extra crisp. Or just eat it warm and sticky. No rules.

Notes From Many (Messy) Attempts

• I used to under-mix the caramel and ended up with sad, flavorless chunks. So now I go a bit overboard stirring. Maybe too much.
• If you use marshmallows (I tried it once, not my best idea), it gets really chewy. Like, stick-to-your-teeth chewy. Might be someone’s thing, but not mine.
• Actually, I find it works better if you let it cool completely before bagging, or else it’s kinda sticky. Not that I always wait…

Variations I’ve Tried (and Some I Regret)

• Once I swapped in cinnamon chips for the white chocolate. Delicious, but pretty sweet. If you like a sugar rush, go for it.
• Tried dried cherries instead of apples; honestly, not my favorite, but my neighbor loved it.
• Peanut butter chips instead of caramel? Um, not really my cup of tea. I mean, it’s edible, but it doesn’t scream “caramel apple” to me.

What You’ll Need (And What If You Don’t Have It?)

• Microwave or stovetop (If you’re stuck, you could melt everything in a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water—a bit of a faff, but it works.)
• Big mixing bowl (I’ve used a soup pot in a pinch. Needs must.)
• Zip-top bag or big container with a lid for shaking. If you really must, just stir in a bowl with a plate over the top, but expect powdered sugar fallout.

How to Store (If It Lasts)

Supposedly, you can keep this in an airtight container for like a week. In reality? I think the longest it’s stuck around here is a day and a half. That said, it does freeze pretty well (which is how I discovered it tastes really good cold). If it clumps, just give it a little shake before serving.

How I Like to Serve It (And a Little Tradition)

I tend to put out a big bowl during movie night, but honestly, it also makes for a great road-trip snack—just scoop into little baggies. Occasionally, we sprinkle extra sea salt on top, which might be controversial in some circles, but I think it’s the business. My cousin dunks hers in yogurt; I don’t get it, but to each their own.

Things I’ve Learned (from Goofs and Triumphs)

• Don’t rush the melting step—tried to microwave it all at once and ended up with chocolate cement. Go slow, stir often.
• If your powdered sugar runs low, a mix of sugar and cornstarch will do in a pinch (but it’s not quite as dreamy).
• Don’t use too much apple cider mix or it gets weirdly tangy. Less is more.

FAQ (Because People Always Ask Me These)

• Does this have actual apples in it? Sometimes! If I have dried apples, I throw them in, but it’s still tasty without.
• Is it gluten-free? If you use GF cereal (most Chex are), then yep. But always double-check, because manufacturers love to change things.
• Can you make this ahead? Definitely, but, um, good luck not eating it all first.
• Can kids help? Yes, but keep them away from the hot caramel; trust me, learned that the hard way. Shaking the bag is very kid-friendly, though!
• Where do you get apple cider mix? I usually grab it at the supermarket, or if you’re fancy, you can order it from Amazon (here’s the brand I use). Or, try your local store’s drink aisle—it’s hit or miss.
• What if I can’t find caramel bits? Chop up regular caramels, or check out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s caramel sauce recipe—in a pinch, a drizzle works.
• Hey, can I use other cereals? Go for it! I once used Crispix and it was still great, maybe even crunchier. Just avoid anything super sweet to start with.

And, a quick aside—last time I made this, my cat tried to walk through the powdered sugar pile. White paw prints for days. So, maybe, keep pets clear. Oh! And if you want more snacky ideas, Serious Eats has some great muddy buddy twists worth a look.

There you go. Caramel Apple Puppy Chow—messy, easy, and weirdly comforting. Questions? Just holler. Or, you know, send snacks.

★★★★★ 4.80 from 69 ratings

Caramel Apple Puppy Chow

yield: 8 servings

prep: 15 mins

cook: 5 mins

total: 20 mins

A sweet and crunchy snack mix featuring caramel, apple flavors, and Chex cereal, perfect for parties or a fall treat.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 cups rice Chex cereal
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup caramel bits
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 cup dried apple chips, chopped
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. 1
   Place the rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
2. 2
   In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips, caramel bits, and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
3. 3
   Pour the melted caramel and white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal. Gently stir to coat all the cereal evenly.
4. 4
   Add the chopped dried apple chips and stir to combine.
5. 5
   In a large zip-top bag, combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the coated cereal mixture, seal the bag, and shake until well coated.
6. 6
   Spread the puppy chow onto a baking sheet to cool and set before serving.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 280 caloriescal

Protein: 2 gg

Fat: 7 gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 51 gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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