Description

Enjoy the flavors of fall in every bite with this Caramel Apple Puppy Chow. Crunchy cereal coated in sweet caramel and spiced apple flavors creates a snack that’s perfect for parties, after-school treats, or cozying up with a movie. Easy to make and irresistibly addictive, this snack captures the essence of autumn in a crunchy, sweet, and perfectly portable treat.

Ingredients

• Rice Chex cereal: The foundation of your puppy chow — light, crispy, and perfect for soaking up the caramel coating.
• Caramel chips: Create that rich, buttery caramel flavor without needing to make caramel from scratch.
• White chocolate chips: Adds creaminess and helps bind the coating together.
• Apple pie spice: A warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice that infuses each bite with cozy fall notes.
• Dried apple chips: Offer the perfect chewy texture contrast to the crunchy mix.
• Powdered sugar: Essential for that sweet, classic puppy chow finish.
• Butter: Gives richness and helps the caramel chips melt smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: Brings depth and balances the sweetness.
• Sea salt: Just a pinch enhances the caramel flavor beautifully.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Pour the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. This will be your base — make sure it’s large enough to toss everything together easily without crushing the cereal.

Step 2: Melt the Caramel Coating

In a medium saucepan, combine caramel chips, white chocolate chips, and butter. Stir constantly over low heat until everything melts into a smooth, glossy mixture. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, apple pie spice, and a pinch of sea salt.

Step 3: Coat the Cereal

Pour the warm caramel mixture over the Chex cereal. Gently fold it together using a rubber spatula until every piece is coated. Be patient and careful not to break the cereal.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touch

Transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, add powdered sugar, and shake until every piece is covered. This gives it that signature puppy chow sweetness and keeps it from sticking together.

Step 5: Add the Apple Magic

Once coated, toss in the dried apple chips (and any optional add-ins like nuts or pretzels). Mix everything gently to distribute evenly.

Step 6: Let It Cool and Serve

Spread the puppy chow on parchment paper to cool and set for 15 minutes. Once firm, it’s ready to enjoy — crunchy, fragrant, and perfectly caramel-apple delicious.

Notes

Use crisp cereal like Chex for the best crunch and coating absorption.
Caramel can be homemade or store-bought — either works beautifully.
Mix in dried apple pieces or small candy bits for extra texture and flavor.
Allow the mixture to cool completely before storing to maintain crispiness.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to enhance the fall flavor profile.
Great for gift bags or party favors — simply portion into small bags once cooled.