Sweet Tart Dried Cherry Snack Medley

Discover this irresistibly delicious Dried Cherry Snack Mix, a perfect blend of crispy cereal, wholesome nuts, tangy dried tart cherries, and creamy yogurt-covered pretzels, all enveloped in a delightful cinnamon-sugar coating.

Contents

The Best Snack Mix for Any Adventure

As the days grow longer and the weather becomes inviting, my family and I cherish spending time outdoors, whether it’s leisurely walks in the park, adventurous hikes, or relaxing picnics under the sun. And what makes any outdoor excursion better? Absolutely, good snacks! This incredible Dried Cherry Snack Mix has quickly become a staple for all our warm-weather adventures, and honestly, we can’t get enough of it. Every member of my family, from the youngest to the oldest, is completely obsessed. It’s an explosion of textures and flavors, from the satisfying crunch of cinnamon-sugar-coated cereal and nuts to the delightful tang of yogurt pretzels, beautifully complemented by the ruby-red, sweet-tart burst of dried cherries. Each bite offers a harmonious balance that keeps us coming back for more.

This isn’t just any snack mix; it’s a carefully crafted blend designed to invigorate your senses and provide sustained energy. The combination of wholesome ingredients ensures that you’re not just enjoying a treat, but also fueling your body with good stuff. Imagine packing this vibrant mix for a long car ride, a beach day, or simply enjoying it as an afternoon pick-me-up at home. Its versatility makes it suitable for almost any occasion, making it a truly exceptional and indispensable recipe in our household.

Why This Dried Cherry Snack Mix Will Be Your New Favorite

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this Dried Cherry Snack Mix, making it more than just a simple recipe. Its unique profile sets it apart, offering a gourmet snack experience that’s surprisingly easy to achieve at home.

Unbeatable Flavor Combination: The magic truly lies in the sweet-tart contrast. The rich, warm notes of cinnamon and sugar perfectly balance the tartness of the dried cherries, creating a complex yet incredibly appealing flavor. Add in the creamy, slightly salty yogurt pretzels, and you have a symphony of tastes that delights the palate.
Addictive Texture Harmony: This mix boasts a fantastic array of textures. You’ll enjoy the crispiness of the Chex cereals, the satisfying crunch of mixed nuts, the chewy resilience of the dried cherries, and the smooth coating of the yogurt-covered pretzels. Each bite is a textural adventure!
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick on-the-go snack, a delightful addition to a party spread, a thoughtful homemade gift, or an energy boost for outdoor activities, this mix fits the bill. It’s robust enough to travel well and fancy enough to impress guests.
Customizable and Versatile: While the recipe provides a fantastic base, it’s also incredibly forgiving and adaptable. You can easily swap out nuts, add other dried fruits, or experiment with different types of cereals to tailor it to your preferences or what you have on hand.
Wholesome Goodness with a Treat: With the inclusion of nuts and the antioxidant-rich tart cherries, this snack mix offers more than just empty calories. It’s a treat that also delivers some nutritional benefits, making you feel good about indulging.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Snack Mix

Crafting the ideal snack mix starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component in this recipe plays a crucial role in achieving the addictive balance of flavors and textures that makes our Dried Cherry Snack Mix so special. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why it works:

Rice Chex and Corn Chex: These cereals form the crispy, airy foundation of our snack mix. Their light texture allows them to absorb the cinnamon-sugar coating beautifully without becoming overly dense. Using both varieties adds subtle textural differences. Remember to spread them evenly on your baking sheet to ensure every piece gets coated perfectly.
Mixed Nuts: Nuts introduce a delightful crunch and a rich, savory depth that contrasts with the sweetness. A mix of almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts offers a variety of flavors and textures. Feel free to use your favorite combination to customize the mix to your liking. Ensure they are unsalted if you are controlling sodium, or adjust added salt accordingly.
Unsalted Butter: Essential for the caramel-like syrup that binds and sweetens the mix. Unsalted butter gives you control over the final saltiness. Cutting it into smaller pieces ensures quicker and more even melting, which is key for a smooth syrup base.
Brown Sugar and Light Corn Syrup: This dynamic duo creates a glistening, caramel-like syrup that provides both sweetness and a crucial binding agent for the cereal and nuts. The brown sugar adds a deep, molasses flavor, while corn syrup prevents crystallization, ensuring a smooth, glossy coating. Continuous stirring is vital to prevent burning and achieve the desired consistency.
Baking Soda and Salt: Baking soda, when added to the hot syrup, reacts to create a lighter, more tender coating, giving the mix its characteristic delicate crunch. Salt, on the other hand, enhances all the other flavors, providing a necessary counterpoint to the sweetness. Always add these after the syrup has boiled to maintain its consistency and activate the baking soda effectively.
Granulated Sugar and Ground Cinnamon: This simple yet powerful blend creates the irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating that defines so many beloved snack mixes. The warmth of the cinnamon combined with the sweetness of the sugar creates an aromatic and flavorful layer. Make sure to mix them thoroughly before sprinkling to ensure an even distribution of flavor.
Dried Tart Cherries: These are the star of the show, offering a tangy, chewy, and naturally sweet contrast to the crunchy components. Dried tart cherries are not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants and nutrients, earning them the title of a “Super Food.” Their concentrated flavor after drying is much like a cranberry but with a unique cherry twist. Add them *after* baking and cooling to preserve their delightful chewy texture and prevent them from becoming hard.
Yogurt Covered Pretzels: Adding a creamy, sweet-and-salty element, these pretzels bring another layer of texture and flavor complexity. Break them into bite-sized pieces so they integrate well into the mix. Like the cherries, they should be added after the mix has completely cooled to prevent the yogurt coating from melting.

The Superfood Spotlight: Dried Tart Cherries

It’s important to distinguish between tart cherries and sweet cherries. While sweet cherries are often enjoyed fresh, tart cherries (like the Montmorency variety often used for drying) offer a distinctly different profile and a host of health benefits. Fresh tart cherries are indeed mouth-puckeringly sour, but when dried, their natural sugars concentrate, resulting in a flavor reminiscent of dried cranberries, but with a richer, more profound fruitiness. Beyond their delightful taste, dried tart cherries are celebrated for their impressive nutritional content. They are incredibly rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which contribute to their vibrant red color and potent anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that consuming tart cherries can support heart health, aid in muscle recovery, and even improve sleep quality due to their natural melatonin content. Including them in this snack mix not only elevates the flavor but also adds a significant boost of wellness to your snacking.

How To Make This Addictive Dried Cherry Snack Mix

Making this delectable snack mix is straightforward, but paying attention to a few details will ensure a perfect result every time. Follow these steps for a truly irresistible treat:

Prepare Your Baking Setup: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large sheet pan (ideally 15×21 inches) or two smaller ones with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or Silpat liners. This crucial step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Lightly grease the lining with cooking spray.
Combine Cereal and Nuts: In your prepared sheet pan, gently toss together the Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and mixed nuts. Spread them out in an even layer across the pan. This even distribution is essential for uniform coating and baking. Don’t be shy about experimenting with your favorite nuts – a diverse mix often yields the best flavor and texture.
Craft the Caramel-Cinnamon Syrup: In a heavy, medium-sized pot, melt the unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon pieces for faster melting) with the packed light brown sugar and light corn syrup over medium to medium-high heat. Stir slowly and constantly until the butter is fully melted and the mixture comes to a rapid, rolling boil. Let it boil vigorously for exactly 1 minute, stirring continuously, then immediately remove it from the heat. Quickly stir in the baking soda and salt.
Coat the Cereal Mixture: Pour the hot syrup evenly over the cereal and nuts on the baking sheet. Working quickly, use a heat-resistant spatula to toss and stir the mixture until every piece of cereal and every nut is thoroughly coated. Speed is key here before the syrup starts to set.
Add the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, stirring them well until fully integrated. Sprinkle this fragrant cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the coated cereal and nuts. Toss everything again to ensure an even distribution of the sugar and spice.
Bake to Perfection: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and carefully toss the mixture again with a metal spatula to promote even baking and prevent burning. Return it to the oven and bake for another 3 minutes.
Cool and Finish: Once baked, remove the snack mix from the oven and spread it out evenly on the pan to cool completely. This cooling step is vital! If the mix is still warm when you add the final ingredients, the yogurt coating on the pretzels will melt. Only once it’s entirely cool, sprinkle in the dried tart cherries and the coarsely chopped yogurt-covered pretzels. Toss everything together one last time, gently breaking up any large clusters of cereal mixture as needed.

Essential Recipe Tips for Success

Achieving the perfect Dried Cherry Snack Mix is all about technique. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your mix turns out crunchy, flavorful, and absolutely delightful.

Use the Right Pan Size: I highly recommend using an extra-large sheet pan (approximately 15 x 21 inches) or two standard large sheet pans. This provides ample space for the cereal and nuts to spread out in a single layer, ensuring even coating and crisping. Overcrowding can lead to a chewy, rather than crunchy, mix.
Prevent Sticking: Line your sheet pans with foil, parchment paper, or Silpat liners. This is a non-negotiable step! The sticky syrup can be notoriously difficult to clean, and a liner makes for effortless removal and cleanup. Lightly greasing the liner with cooking spray adds an extra layer of protection.
Patience in Cooling: It cannot be stressed enough: allow the mix to cool completely before incorporating the dried tart cherries and yogurt-covered pretzels. Introducing these ingredients to a warm mix will result in melted yogurt and potentially hard cherries, compromising the intended textures.
Boil Syrup Precisely: The sugar-syrup mixture needs to boil for exactly 1 minute. Begin timing only when the mixture reaches a full, rolling boil, not just a gentle simmer. This precise boiling time is crucial for the syrup to reach the correct consistency, which will set properly and provide that irresistible coating.
Active Stirring: Stirring constantly while making the syrup and coating the cereal is important. This prevents the sugar from burning and ensures that all ingredients are uniformly covered, leading to a consistent flavor and texture throughout the entire batch.

Creative Variations and Customizations

While the classic Dried Cherry Snack Mix recipe is phenomenal on its own, its adaptable nature invites creativity in the kitchen. Here are some ideas to customize your next batch:

Nut Swaps: Not a fan of mixed nuts? Use all almonds, pecans, walnuts, or even a blend with pistachios or macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile. Lightly toasted nuts can also enhance their inherent richness.
Cereal Choices: Beyond Rice and Corn Chex, consider using Wheat Chex for extra fiber, or even other simple, unsweetened cereals like Cheerios or Crispix for varying textures and flavors.
Dried Fruit Alternatives: If tart cherries aren’t available or you want to try something new, dried cranberries, blueberries, or even chopped dried apricots would be delicious additions. Just remember to add them after baking.
Pretzel Adventures: Instead of yogurt-covered pretzels, try white chocolate-covered pretzels for a sweeter touch, or simply use regular mini pretzels for a purely salty crunch. Chocolate-covered nuts or seeds could also be a delightful alternative.
Spice It Up: Enhance the cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg, ground cloves, or allspice for a warmer, more complex flavor. For a touch of heat, a tiny dash of cayenne pepper can add an unexpected kick.
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of brown sugar or granulated sugar slightly to suit your preferred level of sweetness. For a less sweet option, you can slightly reduce the sugar in the cinnamon-sugar coating.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This Dried Cherry Snack Mix is fantastic on its own, but it’s also incredibly versatile in how you can enjoy it:

Party Snack: Serve it in a large bowl at gatherings, picnics, or potlucks. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
On-the-Go Fuel: Portion it into individual bags for quick and easy snacks for work, school, or travel.
Homemade Gift: Package it in decorative bags or jars and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful, handmade present that friends and family will adore.
Dessert Topping: Sprinkle it over ice cream, yogurt parfaits, or even a fruit crisp for added crunch and flavor.

Storage: To maintain its irresistible crunch and freshness, store any leftover Dried Cherry Snack Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For extended enjoyment, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Just ensure it’s completely sealed to prevent it from becoming stale.

More Irresistible Snack Mix Recipes to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of homemade snack mixes, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of possibilities to explore beyond this Dried Cherry Snack Mix. Each recipe offers a unique blend of flavors and textures, perfect for satisfying different cravings or occasions. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic, chocolatey, or seasonally inspired, these recipes will broaden your snack-making horizons and keep your pantry stocked with delightful treats.

Classic Trail Mix — A timeless favorite, perfect for hikes and outdoor adventures.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix — Indulge in the beloved combination of chocolate and peanut butter in a crunchy mix.
Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies) — A fun, powdery, and utterly delicious treat that’s impossible to resist.
Holiday Snack Mix — Festive and colorful, ideal for seasonal celebrations and gift-giving.
Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies — A delightful twist on a classic, featuring the irresistible flavor of cookies and cream.

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Dried Cherry Snack Mix

By

Chelsea Lords

This irresistible snack mix features crispy cereal, crunchy nuts, tangy dried tart cherries, and creamy yogurt pretzels, all coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar glaze—perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

8 minutes

Total Time:

28 minutes

Servings:

10 servings, as a snack

Video

Watch a video demonstration of this recipe:

Click to play video

Equipment

Large sheet pan (15″ x 21″) or 2 smaller pans
Aluminum foil or Parchment Paper
Medium pot

Ingredients

Cooking spray
4 cups Rice Chex cereal
4 cups Corn Chex cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 cup, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces)
1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup yogurt-covered pretzels (coarsely chopped or broken up)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×21-inch sheet pan (or 2 smaller sheet pans) with foil or parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.
Add Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and mixed nuts to the prepared sheet pan, spreading them out evenly.
In a heavy, medium pot, add the butter (cut into individual tablespoons), packed brown sugar, and corn syrup. Place over medium to medium-high heat and stir slowly but constantly until butter is melted. Once melted, continue to stir until the mixture comes to a rapid boil. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly, and remove from heat. Add in baking soda and salt. Pour over the cereal on the sheet pan and, working quickly, stir until cereal and nuts are coated in the mixture.
In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and granulated sugar and stir. Sprinkle evenly over the cereal mixture.
Bake for 5 minutes, remove from the oven, and toss using a metal spatula. Return to the oven and bake for 3 more minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Once the mixture has cooled completely, sprinkle the dried tart cherries over the cereal. Break up the yogurt pretzels and add. Toss everything together, breaking up the cereal mixture as needed, until well combined.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. Ensure the mix is completely cooled before storing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a comment below!