This Ultimate Christmas Snack Mix is what happens when all of my favorite holiday treats collide into one bowl. It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and truly over-the-top… combining classic peanut butter puppy chow, glossy white chocolate-coated Chex, salty pretzels, peanuts, and festive holiday candies. It’s bold, colorful, and the kind of mix that vanishes long before the party starts! Make a batch of crockpot Christmas candy to go with it!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rice Chex: Rice Chex keeps the mix light and crispy and holds up well under the chocolate coatings. You can swap in Corn Chex or a gluten-free cereal blend if needed.
- Chocolate Chips & Peanut Butter: This combo creates the classic Reindeer Chow flavor, which is rich, chocolatey, and just a little salty. Creamy peanut butter works best for smooth coating, but almond butter can be used if needed.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Also called powdered sugar, this gives the puppy chow its snowy finish and helps prevent sticking once the chocolate sets.
- White Almond Bark: Almond bark melts smoothly and sets firm, making it ideal for coating snack mixes. White chocolate chips can work, but melt them gently and stir often to prevent seizing.
- Pretzels & Peanuts: These add crunch and balance the sweetness. Feel free to swap peanuts for cashews or omit them entirely for a nut-free version.
- Festive Mix-Ins: Red and green M&Ms, chopped mini peanut butter cups, and holiday sprinkles make this mix extra fun for the holiday season. You can also use chocolate candies, toffee bits, or seasonal sprinkles you already have on hand.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This snack mix is perfect for making ahead. Once fully set, it stores well for weeks without losing crunch.
Can I freeze Ultimate Christmas Snack Mix?
Absolutely. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
Can I make this without peanut butter?
Yes! Use sunflower seed butter, almond butter, or cookie butter in place of peanut butter, or make a chocolate-only coating. Replace peanuts with extra cereal or pretzels.
Why add vegetable oil to the almond bark?
A small amount of oil helps the almond bark melt smoothly and coat the mix evenly without becoming too thick.
Variations
Nut-Free Version: Skip the peanuts and use pretzels or extra cereal instead.
Extra Chocolate: Drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over the finished mix before it sets.
Peppermint Twist: Add crushed peppermint candies or peppermint baking chips with the mix-ins.
Giftable Mix: Portion into holiday treat bags or jars for easy edible gifts.
Serving Ideas
- Serve in a large holiday bowl as part of a Christmas appetizer spread alongside Chex Mix, Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies), or Peppermint Bark.
- Portion into small cups or treat bags for classroom parties, cookie exchanges, or movie nights.
- Add to a holiday dessert charcuterie board with fudge, Christmas cookies, and chocolate-covered pretzels for easy grazing.
- Package in jars or tins for edible gifts; this mix travels and stores well.
How to Store Christmas Snack Mix
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 weeks.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Ultimate Christmas Snack Mix
Ingredients
Reindeer Chow
- 1 cup (47 g) Rice Chex
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Chex Mix
- 2 cups (94 g) Rice Chex
- 1 ½ cups (70.5 g) Corn Chex
- 1 cup (150 g) mini pretzels
- ¾ cup salted peanuts
- 8 ounces white almond bark
- ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
Festive Mix-Ins
- ¾ cup red & green M&Ms
- ½ cup mini peanut butter cups chopped
- 1 tablespoon holiday sprinkles
Instructions
Reindeer Chow
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add Rice Chex.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Microwave in 20 to 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour over the Chex and gently fold to coat.
- Transfer to a large zip-top bag. Add confectioners' sugar, and shake until every piece is covered.
- Spread the Reindeer Chow out onto one of the prepared baking sheets to dry. Set aside.
Base
- In an extra-large mixing bowl (at least 6-quart capacity), combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, mini pretzels, and salted peanuts.
- To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add white almond bark and vegetable oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Pour the melted almond bark mixture over the cereal mix. Quickly toss until everything is lightly coated. It should be evenly covered but not drenched.
Assembly
- While the base mix is still slightly tacky, add the M&Ms, mini peanut butter cups, and holiday sprinkles.
- Gently fold in the Reindeer Chow so you get swirls of white chocolate-coated pieces and snowy chocolate-peanut-butter bits.
- Spread the entire mixture onto the second parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Let it dry completely at room temperature (about 30 to 60 minutes).
- Once dry, break into clusters.
- Store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks, or freeze up to 3 months.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This snack mix is addictive! I couldn’t stop sneaking bites while it was setting. Perfect for holiday parties.
Elizabeth
I love snacks like this! And, you can't go wrong with the Christmas colors in there!
Stephanie
Easy to make and so festive! I am planning to portion it into small bags for gifts.
Bella
Love how customizable this is. I added a few extra sprinkles and peppermint bits; it's super fun and delicious.
looks great! hows it different from raindeer chow? I’ve never made it
Thanks! And good question. This recipe includes Reindeer Chow elements, but adds a white chocolate Chex mix base, pretzels, peanuts, and candies, so it’s a bigger, more festive holiday snack. I hope you can make it!