How To Make Buc-ees Beaver Nuggets Recipe (EASY Copycat)

Watch Me Make It

If you’ve ever been on a road trip and spotted that giant beaver sign, you already know the magic that waits inside Buc-ee’s. One of their most famous snacks is the sweet, crunchy caramel-coated corn puffs they call beaver nuggets. I decided to make my own beaver nuggets recipe at home so I could enjoy them any time, without having to plan a long drive to the nearest Buc-ee’s.

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This version is just as addictive as the real deal. The light, airy puffs are coated in a buttery caramel that’s rich with brown sugar and vanilla. I’ve tested this beaver nuggets recipe enough times to know that once you put a bowl out, you might as well make a second batch - they disappear fast.

Why You’ll Love This Beaver Nuggets Recipe

It’s quick to make with simple ingredients you probably already have. You can customize the sweetness, add spices, or drizzle with chocolate for your own spin. Plus, this beaver nuggets recipe makes the perfect party snack, holiday gift, or road trip treat without the road trip.

I’ve made plenty of sweet snacks for my blog, from s’mores cookie cups to candied bacon twists, and this beaver nuggets recipe earns the same “crowd favorite” status. Once you make it, you’ll understand why it’s such an easy win.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

For the base, you’ll need a bag of Corn Pops cereal (10–12 ounces). I prefer the brand-name version because it holds up better during baking, but any puffed corn cereal works in a pinch. Butter, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, pure vanilla extract, and baking soda make up the caramel coating in this beaver nuggets recipe.

For tools, grab a large mixing bowl, a medium saucepan, a spatula, and two large baking sheets lined with parchment paper. The parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup simple.

Ingredients

• 1 Bag Corn Pops 10oz – 12oz
• 1 C Unsalted Butter (2 sticks)
• 1 ¼ C Light Brown Sugar, packed
• ½ C Light Corn Syrup
• 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• ½ teaspoon Baking Soda

How To Make This Beaver Nuggets Recipe

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 250°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour the corn puffs into a large mixing bowl so they’re ready to coat. Having everything set up before you start the caramel is key to nailing this beaver nuggets recipe.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and light corn syrup. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Stirring constantly helps create the smooth, glossy caramel that makes this beaver nuggets recipe so good.

Cooking

Once it starts boiling, stop stirring and let it bubble for about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the vanilla and baking soda - it will foam up, which is exactly what you want. That foamy caramel clings to the cereal and makes every bite of this beaver nuggets recipe perfectly coated.

Pour the caramel over the corn puffs in your mixing bowl and gently toss them with a spatula until fully coated. Spread the coated puffs evenly onto your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to keep them from clumping and to ensure even coverage in this beaver nuggets recipe.

The best cook time is around 45 minutes at 250°F, stirring them every 15 minutes - but check toward the end to avoid over-browning. The aroma will tell you when they’re almost done.

Serving Suggestions

Let them cool completely after baking so the coating crisps up. I love serving this beaver nuggets recipe in a big bowl for movie nights or portioning it into small bags for holiday gifts. It’s also a fun treat to pair with salty snacks like pretzels or candied bacon for a sweet-and-salty spread.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Realistically, this beaver nuggets recipe doesn’t last that long - everyone grabs “just one more” until the container’s empty.

Recipe Notes and Pro Tips

Don’t skip the parchment paper because it makes cleanup a breeze. If you want a richer flavor, try dark brown sugar instead of light. A sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice with the baking soda gives this beaver nuggets recipe a warm, seasonal twist.

Stir gently during baking to avoid crushing the puffs. If your caramel hardens too quickly while coating the cereal, pop the bowl into a low oven for a minute or two to soften it again.

Variations

For a cinnamon sugar version, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the caramel before pouring it over the puffs. A chocolate-drizzled take on this beaver nuggets recipe is easy - just melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled nuggets. You can also swap in other puffed cereals like Kix or even cheese puffs for a fun sweet-and-savory experiment.

Adding roasted nuts or mini pretzels after baking gives extra crunch and variety. This beaver nuggets recipe is flexible enough to adapt to whatever flavor combo you want to try.

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