Looking for the ultimate holiday snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat? This Reindeer Chow recipe is the best out there – it’s sweet, salty, and packed with festive cheer that’s sure to delight kids, grandkids, and even Santa himself!
Whether you’re whipping up a batch this Christmas-y puppy chow for a cozy family movie night or sharing it in cute bags for neighborly gifts, this mix is guaranteed to be a holiday hit.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Sweet, salty, and full of holiday cheer: With chocolate, peanut butter, and a satisfying crunch, this snack mix hits all the right notes for a festive treat everyone will adore!
- Ridiculously easy to make: Melt, mix, shake, and snack – that’s it! Perfect for busy holiday schedules when you want something delicious without all the fuss.
- Festive fun with endless possibilities: Bursting with red and green M&M’s and peanut butter cups, it’s a holiday showstopper, but feel free to swap in your favorite candies for a mix that’s uniquely you.
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Chex cereal: Use corn, rice, or a mix of both for the best crunch and texture. Avoid wheat Chex unless you love its heavier flavor.
- Mini pretzels: Stick-shaped pretzels work well for even coating, but twists add a fun shape. If pretzels aren’t your thing, skip them for a sweeter mix.
- Roasted peanuts: Lightly salted peanuts add the perfect touch of saltiness. No peanuts? Try sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, or simply leave them out.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet is classic, but white chocolate chips add a fun twist. Be sure to use good-quality chocolate for smoother melting.
- Creamy peanut butter: Stick with creamy for smooth coating, but you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter if preferred. Avoid natural peanut butter, as the oil can separate during melting.
- Powdered sugar: This is key for that classic “snow-dusted” look! You can add more or less, depending on how sweet and coated you like your mix.
- M&M’s and mini peanut butter cups: Red and green candies are perfect for the holidays, but feel free to use other seasonal colors or swap them for other chocolates and candies your family loves.
How to make Reindeer Chow
Alright, let’s dive in and whip up some festive Reindeer Chow! This is one of those recipes that’s super fun and easy – you can totally have the kids help, or just make it yourself with a cup of coffee and some holiday tunes.
Ready? Let’s do this!
1. Start with the dry ingredients: Grab the biggest mixing bowl you have – trust me, you’re going to need the space.
Add in 8 cups of Chex cereal (corn, rice, or both – I’m not here to make all the rules), 2 cups of mini pretzels, and 1 cup of roasted peanuts. Give it a quick stir to mix it all together. You’re basically building the crunchy, salty base that’s going to hold all the deliciousness.
2. Melt the chocolate magic: Now, in a microwave-safe bowl, toss in 1 ¼ cups of chocolate chips, ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter, and 3 tablespoons of butter. Pop it in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between so nothing burns (because burnt chocolate is just sad).
Once it’s all smooth and velvety, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Don’t skip the salt – it makes the flavors sing.
3. Mix it all together: Here’s where the magic happens. Pour that warm, gooey chocolate mixture over your dry ingredients.
Grab a spatula or a spoon and gently fold it all together until every piece is coated in chocolatey goodness. This is the point where the kitchen starts smelling so good, you might have a hard time waiting for the next step.
4. Powdered sugar party: Now, let’s make it snow! Take a large resealable bag and add about 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar.
Scoop the coated mix into the bag, seal it up, and then shake it like you mean it. This part is so satisfying – every piece gets a light, sweet coating.
If it’s not quite covered enough, sprinkle in a little extra sugar and shake again. You can’t really mess this part up.
5. Let it set: Spread the coated mix out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it hang out for about 20 minutes to cool and set. If you’re anything like me, this is when you’ll start sneaking little pieces – for “quality control,” of course.
6. Add the festive flair: Time to get festive! Stir in the red and green M&M’s and mini peanut butter cups. This is what makes it look so fun and holiday-ready. If you’ve got little helpers, they’ll love this part – just watch out, or half the candy will “mysteriously” disappear.
7. Serve or store: Now it’s decision time: do you package this up in cute little bags to share, or do you dive in right away?
Either way, store the leftovers (if there are any) in an airtight container to keep everything fresh. It’s perfect for gifting, movie nights, or just grabbing a handful every time you walk by.
And that’s it – you just made the best holiday snack ever. High five from Rudolph! 🎄
Top tips for recipe success
- Use fresh ingredients: Make sure your Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts are fresh and crisp – stale snacks will make the mix less crunchy and not as tasty. The same goes for your chocolate and peanut butter; good-quality ingredients really shine here.
- Melt carefully: When melting the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, heat in short intervals and stir often to avoid burning. If you prefer, you can use a double boiler instead of the microwave for more control.
- Don’t skimp on the mixing: Take your time folding the chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until every piece is well coated – no dry patches allowed! A silicone spatula works great for this.
- Shake, shake, shake: When coating the mix in powdered sugar, make sure your resealable bag is big enough to allow everything to move freely. Shake vigorously to ensure every piece gets evenly coated. Adding the powdered sugar in batches can help with even coverage.
- Let it set completely: Spread the coated mix on parchment paper and let it cool and set for at least 20 minutes. This helps the chocolate harden, making it easier to mix in the candies without them sticking to the coating.
- Store it right: Keep your Reindeer Chow in an airtight container to maintain freshness. If you’re gifting it, pack it in individual bags or tins to keep it from getting crushed.
Helpful recipe hints
Recipe variations
- Switch up the cereal: Not a Chex fan? Try swapping in Cheerios, Kix, or even Crispix. Each one adds its own little personality to the mix – experiment and find your favorite crunch combo!
- Nuts or no nuts: Peanuts are classic, but cashews, almonds or even pecans make a great swap if you want to fancy things up. Or skip them altogether!
- Go wild with chocolate: Semi-sweet is the go-to, but white chocolate makes it extra festive, and butterscotch or peanut butter chips? Oh, hello, flavor adventure!
- Fun add-ins: Want to take it over the top? Throw in mini marshmallows for a gooey twist, dried cranberries for a tart bite, or festive sprinkles to make it even more party-ready.
- Holiday all year: Change up the M&M colors to fit the season – pastel for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or just go classic red and green for Christmas. This mix loves to dress up!
Storage tips
Make-ahead option: Reindeer Chow is the perfect recipe to prep in advance! You can make it up to a week ahead of time, and it will still taste fresh and delicious.
Once it’s fully set and the chocolate coating has hardened, transfer it to an airtight container. This keeps the mix crunchy and prevents it from absorbing any unwanted moisture or odors.
Storing leftovers: If you have leftovers (though let’s be honest, they tend to disappear quickly), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. A sealable glass or plastic container works best.
Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to ensure the chocolate doesn’t melt or the mix lose its crunch.
Avoid refrigeration: While it might seem like a good idea to store Reindeer Chow in the fridge, it can actually make the powdered sugar coating sticky and cause the mix to clump together. Room temperature is your best bet for keeping everything just right.
Serving tip for freshness: If you’re making this for a party or as gifts, prep it the day before for peak freshness. Package it in festive bags or tins just before gifting to ensure it’s crunchy, sweet, and perfectly irresistible.
Serving ideas
- Movie Marathon Munchies: Whip up a big bowl of Reindeer Chow for a cozy holiday movie night. Whether you’re watching Elf or Home Alone, this snack is the perfect crunchy companion!
- Santa’s Sweet Surprise: Leave a small bowl of Reindeer Chow alongside the sugar cookies and milk for Santa – it’s sure to keep him energized for his big night.
- Holiday Party Hit: Serve this mix in a large festive bowl at your next holiday gathering. Add a serving spoon and let everyone help themselves – it’ll disappear in no time!
- Teacher Appreciation Gift: Package the mix in a mason jar with a cute tag that says, “Thanks for making this season sweet!” Teachers will love this thoughtful and delicious treat.
- Neighborly Cheer: Deliver a batch to your neighbors in a festive tin or box with a handwritten note. It’s a thoughtful (and edible) way to spread holiday cheer!
- Christmas Eve Table Treat: Add Reindeer Chow to your dessert table alongside cookies, pies, and hot chocolate. It’s a fun, no-fuss option for guests to snack on throughout the evening.
More cute Christmas treats
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Reindeer Chow
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal corn, rice OR a mix
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup roasted lightly salted peanuts
- 1 ¼ cups chocolate chips semi-sweet OR white as desired
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups powdered sugar or more if needed
- 1 (12-oz) bag red and green chocolate M&M’s
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Prep cereal: In a large bowl, mix both Chex cereals, pretzels, and peanuts.
- Make chocolate mix: Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals until smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Combine: Pour melted mixture over dry ingredients and gently mix to coat evenly.
- Cover in powdered sugar: Add powdered sugar to a large resealable bag, pour in the coated mix, seal, and shake until fully covered. Add additional powdered sugar if needed.
- Cool: Spread mix on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set for 20 minutes.
- Finish and store: Stir in M&M’s and mini peanut butter cups. Store in an airtight container or serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Cereal: Use corn, rice, or a mix of Chex; avoid wheat Chex for a lighter flavor.
- Pretzels: Sticks coat more evenly; twists add fun shapes. Skip for a sweeter treat.
- Nuts: Peanuts are classic, but cashews, almonds, pecans or sunflower seeds work too.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet is classic; white, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips offer fun twists. Use high-quality chocolate for smooth melting.
- Peanut butter: Creamy blends best; avoid natural varieties to prevent separation.
- Powdered sugar: Adjust to taste – more for extra sweetness and coating.
- Candy Add-Ins: Red and green M&M’s are festive, but any candy works – try marshmallows or sprinkles for extra flair.
Recipe tips
- Melting chocolate: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring to avoid burning. A double boiler is also an option for careful melting.
- Even mixing: Fold the melted mixture gently into the dry ingredients to coat every piece. Use a large bowl for easier mixing.
- Powdered sugar coating: Shake in batches for even coverage. Add extra powdered sugar if needed for a snowier look.
- Setting time: Let the mix cool completely on a parchment-lined baking sheet before adding candies or storing.
Storage tips
- Make-ahead: Prepare up to a week in advance; store in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
- Room temperature storage: Store leftovers in a cool, dry place in a sealed container to prevent staleness or melting. Avoid refrigeration, as it can make the mix sticky.
- Gifting: Package in bags, tins, or jars with festive ribbons for a thoughtful holiday treat.
Katie says
Made this w/ the kids and they LOVED it! They had so much fun mixing everything together (and sneaking a lot of bites lol). Perfect salty-sweet combo for movie night. Will def be making this again for the holidays!
Emma says
this was such a hit! I made it for a holiday get-together with all the grands, and it was the first thing to go. The chocolate, PB, and crunch are so good together. Wish I’d made a double batch! Will def do that next time!
Jen says
Loved this!! Made it for a school holiday party, and it was gone so fast. I used red and green sprinkles to make it extra festive. Super easy to put together and soooo tasty. Adding this to my go-to holiday treats!
Matt says
This was awesome! Everyone at my office party couldn’t stop eating it. looked great on the snack table. Thanks for such a fun recipe, I don’t cook at all but this was easy enough and my gf and I had a blast!