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You all know what crunch n’ munch is, right? Well, I asked my husband and he had no clue! So, if you are like him, let me explain–crunch n’ munch is a store bought caramel corn with peanuts. Its pretty tasty stuff, but it gets much tastier if you make it yourself….and add in some pretzels. One of my all time favorite combinations in snacks or desserts is sweet and salty–I just can’t get enough….which is probably why I ate the ENTIRE recipe over the course of 3 days. I did give my little one a few pieces here and there, so I guess technically I didn’t eat the whole thing…..but it was close.
This snack tasted the crunchiest and the freshest during the first two days, so make sure to crunch n’ munch away! Haha…..get it?! Crunch…..n’munch?! I’m so lame…..
Anyways, overall, this makes a pretty good amount of snacking food and it’s relatively inexpensive too. Peanuts are some of the cheapest nuts you can buy and popcorn along with pretzels really don’t break the bank either. You could even just make caramel corn too without all the mix in’s and call it a day. It’s good any way you make it. And, done in twenty minutes or so. Another reason to cook up some crunch n’ munch today!
*Side note: Check out my food blogging friends in the side bar! My newest addition, Natalie Perry from Perrysplate.com is now one of my FAVORITES! I love her site, so go check it out…..but only after you finish up here!*
Homemade Crunch n’ Munch
Homemade crunch n munch treats your taste buds to the zing of sweet caramel corn, salty nuts, and pretzels. What could be better?
Ingredients
- 1 microwave bag kettle corn
- 1 cup pretzel sticks broken up
- 1/2 cup lightly salted peanuts
for the caramel:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- dash salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease baking sheet and set aside.
- Pop popcorn and pour into large bowl, being sure to sort out any unpopped kernels. Add in pretzels and peanuts.
- In large measuring cup, stir together butter, sugars, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until everything has melted together and bubbled. Make sure you stop and stir every 30 seconds or so! (You'll have to watch it carefully so it doesn't bubble over the top!) Once all the sugar crystals have melted and everything is uniform in color, stir in vanilla extract and baking soda well-at this point the baking soda will make the sugar mixture double in volume and almost become similar to a melted marshmallow
- At this point, pour sugar mixture over popcorn, peanuts and preztels and stir well. Pour coated mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly.
- Bake 10 minutes and remove from oven. Stir with spatula to break larger pieces apart and let cool completely. Scrape crunch n' munch off baking sheet and break any large pieces into smaller ones. Store in air tight containers.
Notes
For a more caramely flavor, use 1/2 cup of brown sugar and no granulated sugar. (I ran out of brown sugar, so I had to use some white)Don’t let this recipe limit you! Add in whatever you want to this recipe, like cereal, other kinds of nuts, coconut, or even raisins! Yum!
Nutrition
Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Per your note if want to use only brown sugar, do u use 1 full cup of brown sugar, vs. 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of white sugar?
Can u freeze it