Snack time takes an unexpected turn with this irresistible samoa snack mix that blends sweet caramel notes with toasted coconut crunch.
Chocolate lovers will savor every delectable bite of this addictive treat.
The mix combines classic samoa cookie flavors with a delightful medley of crunchy elements.
Each handful promises a perfect balance of textures and rich, decadent tastes.
Layers of chocolate, coconut, and caramel dance together in this simple yet extraordinary snack.
Drizzled with melted chocolate and sprinkled with toasted coconut, this mix will become your new go-to indulgence.
Prepare to wow your taste buds with every irresistible handful.
Tools That Help Toast and Coat Snack Mix Easily
Baking Sheet: Large, flat pan for evenly spreading and setting the snack mix.
Parchment Paper: Non-stick liner to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining and coating ingredients.
Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate chips smoothly.
Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and drizzle caramel and chocolate.
Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
Microwave: Quick tool for melting chocolate and caramel.
How to Build a Samoa-Inspired Snack Mix at Home
Prepare Your Workspace Set up a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and smooth snack creation.
Create Base Blend Golden Grahams, coconut flakes, and crunchy pretzels in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
Coat with Caramel Gently pour warm caramel over the mixture, stirring carefully to ensure every morsel gets a delicious golden splash.
Spread and Arrange Transfer the caramel-coated mix onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it into an even layer for consistent flavor.
Drizzle Chocolate Melt chocolate chips smoothly in short microwave bursts, then generously cascade the liquid chocolate across the snack mix.
Add Final Touch Sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor profile, creating a gourmet snacking experience.
Set and Enjoy Allow the mix to rest at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate and caramel transform into a crisp, delectable treat.
Flavor Ideas That Echo Your Favorite Cookie
Replace Golden Grahams with graham crackers or rice chex for a different crunch. Gluten-free rice chex work perfectly for those with wheat sensitivities.
Prepare this snack mix up to a week in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Keeps crisp and delicious for easy entertaining or quick snacking.
Create a vegan version by using dairy-free chocolate chips and coconut caramel sauce. Swap pretzels for gluten-free pretzel sticks to make it completely allergen-friendly.
Chill the mix in the refrigerator for faster chocolate setting and extra crisp texture. For a softer treat, let it set at room temperature for a more gooey caramel experience.
Sprinkle crushed macadamia nuts or toasted almonds for extra crunch. Add a dash of cinnamon or espresso powder to elevate the chocolate and caramel flavors.
Serve Samoa Snack Mix at Events or With Coffee
Sweet Party Platter: Arrange the Samoa Snack Mix in a beautiful ceramic bowl with colorful cocktail napkins for festive gatherings.
Dessert Topping Twist: Sprinkle the mix over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a crunchy, caramel-chocolate enhanced dessert experience.
Movie Night Munchies: Pack the snack mix in small mason jars or ziplock bags for easy sharing during movie marathons or road trips.
Gift-Worthy Treat: Layer the mix in clear gift containers with ribbons for a homemade, delightful present that looks as good as it tastes.
Store This Sweet Mix in Cool, Dry Spots
Keep your Samoa Snack Mix fresh and delicious with these smart tips!
Transfer the cooled snack mix to a sealed glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. This method blocks moisture and maintains crispness for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Want longer shelf life? Chill the mix in the refrigerator, which extends its quality for 7-10 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb any excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
Batch prepare and freeze the snack mix in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore optimal texture.
Divide the mix into single-serve snack bags for quick grab-and-go treats. This approach prevents repeated exposure to air and helps maintain the mix's delightful crunch.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time:
Total Time: 10 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients That Make Samoa Snack Mix a Hit
For Base Ingredients:
Golden Grahams: Crunchy, sweet graham cracker cereal that provides the foundational texture and flavor of the snack mix.
Pretzels: Salty, crispy element that adds a delightful contrast to the sweet components.
Toasted Coconut: Nutty, tropical flavor enhancer that brings a rich, warm dimension to the mix.
For Sweet Coating Ingredients:
Caramel: Sticky, golden sauce that binds the ingredients and adds a luxurious, buttery sweetness.
Chocolate Chips: Smooth, rich chocolate that creates a decadent drizzle and complements the other flavors.
Coconut Oil (Optional): Helps create a silky chocolate coating and ensures smooth melting.
For Finishing Touches:
Sea Salt: Zesty, crisp sprinkle that intensifies the overall flavor profile by balancing sweetness with a subtle savory note.
Sweet and salty Samoa Snack Mix celebrates Girl Scout cookie magic with coconut, caramel, and chocolate drizzles dancing across crunchy popcorn and pretzels. Irresistible snacking awaits you with this nostalgic treat that brings childhood memories to life.
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups golden grahams cereal
2 cups toasted coconut flakes
1 ½ cups mini pretzels
1 cup caramel baking bits or soft caramels (melted)
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
½ tsp (2.5 ml) coconut oil (optional, for smooth chocolate drizzle)
Sea salt, to taste (optional)
Instructions
Preparation: Line a spacious baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
Mixing Base: Thoroughly combine Golden Grahams cereal, toasted coconut flakes, and crisp pretzels in a generous mixing bowl, creating an even distribution of ingredients.
Caramel Coating: Gently pour melted caramel over the dry mixture, carefully folding to achieve a uniform, glossy coverage without crushing the delicate components.
Spreading Layer: Distribute the caramel-coated mixture across the prepared baking sheet, creating an even, single layer that allows each piece to crisp and set properly.
Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate chips smoothly in the microwave, using brief intervals and stirring between each, incorporating coconut oil for enhanced glossiness and fluidity.
Finishing Touch: Elegantly drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel-coated mix, then sprinkle a delicate layer of sea salt to enhance the flavor profile and add a gourmet touch.
Setting: Allow the Samoa Snack Mix to rest and solidify at room temperature or expedite the process by chilling in the refrigerator until the chocolate and caramel achieve a perfect, crisp texture.
Notes
Stir the mix gently when coating with caramel to ensure even distribution and avoid large chunks.
Use short microwave intervals and stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve smooth chocolate drizzle.
Add sea salt sparingly to elevate flavor complexity without overpowering the sweet caramel and chocolate notes.
Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum crispness and to maintain pretzel crunch.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.