Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe
This Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe is my go-to no-bake, sweet-and-salty holiday snack mix that comes together in minutes and disappears even faster.
Every December, this reindeer chow snack mix shows up on my kitchen counter the moment I pull out the Christmas mugs. It’s a playful twist on the classic Chex cereal mix, packed with crunchy cereal, pretzels, chocolate, and a creamy peanut butter “snow” coating. Think Christmas snack mix that feels festive enough for a party, simple enough for a Tuesday night movie, and easy enough for the kids or grandkids to help with.
What makes this holiday snack mix extra special? There’s no baking, it scales easily for a big crowd, and it doubles beautifully as an edible holiday gift. I make big batches of this reindeer chow mix for Christmas party snack tables, teacher gifts, neighbor treat boxes, and our annual reindeer party food spread with hot cocoa and sugar cookies.
Is it healthy? Well, let’s call it “holiday reasonable.” It’s definitely a treat, but you can build in a few smart choices—like using whole-grain Chex cereal, adding nuts for protein, and watching portion sizes. And honestly, a handful of this winter snack mix with a cup of tea feels like just the right kind of December joy.
Why You’ll Love This Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe
- No oven needed – this is a totally no bake snack mix.
- Ready in about 20 minutes, plus a little cooling time.
- Perfect for gift boxes, cookie trays, and edible holiday gift jars.
- Kid friendly snack that little hands can both make and eat.
- Classic sweet salty snack combo with chocolate, peanut butter, and crunch.
- Easy to customize for allergies, taste preferences, or color themes.
- Budget-friendly Christmas snack mix that stretches to feed a crowd.
- Great make-ahead holiday treat recipe that keeps well for days.
- Fun reindeer party food that looks adorable on a festive buffet.
Let me tell you, once you bring this to a holiday potluck, people will ask for the recipe every single year.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe (about 10–12 servings):
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex – any plain Chex cereal mix works)
- 3 cups mini pretzels (traditional twists or mini pretzel sticks)
- 2 cups Cheerios or similar toasted oat cereal
- 1 ½ cups salted peanuts (or mixed nuts, or leave out for nut-free homes)
- 1 ½ cups red and green chocolate candies (like holiday M&M’s)
- 1 cup holiday sprinkles (jimmies or tiny shapes – optional but fun)
For the chocolate peanut butter coating (the “snow”):
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli or Guittard melt especially smooth)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for depth of flavor)
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural; use something like Jif or Skippy)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (skip if your peanut butter is very salty)
- 1–1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted (start low and add to taste)
Ingredient tips:
- Cereal: Use a mix of textures—Chex for crispness and Cheerios for that toasty crunch.
- Nuts: If you’re serving this as a kid friendly snack for a classroom, keep it nut-free and add more pretzels or cereal instead.
- Peanut butter: Shelf-stable, creamy peanut butter works best; natural peanut butter can make the coating greasy.
- Chocolate: White and semi-sweet together keep this sweet but not cloying.
You know what? If your pantry looks a little different, that’s fine. This festive party mix is very forgiving.
Directions
-
Prep your mixing station.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Set a very large mixing bowl on the counter—bigger than you think you’ll need. This helps keep the reindeer chow snack from spilling everywhere once you start stirring. -
Combine the dry mix.
In the big bowl, add the Rice Chex, pretzels, Cheerios, and peanuts. Gently toss with your hands or a big spoon so everything looks evenly scattered. Keep the candies and sprinkles aside for now so they don’t melt. -
Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring after each round, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This usually takes about 1 ½–2 minutes total, depending on your microwave. -
Add vanilla and salt.
Stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt. The mixture should be pourable but not thin like water—think warm fudge sauce. If it seems too thick, microwave it for another 10–15 seconds and stir again. -
Coat the cereal mixture.
Pour the warm chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold everything together. Keep scooping from the bottom so all the cereal gets coated. Work fairly quickly so the coating doesn’t start to set. -
Dust with powdered sugar.
Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered sugar over the coated mix. Toss gently until the pieces are mostly coated and look like “snowy” reindeer chow mix. If you want it sweeter or more powdery, add the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar a little at a time. I like seeing a mix of snowy and slightly glossy pieces. -
Spread to cool.
Divide the coated snack mix between your two prepared baking sheets, spreading it out into a single layer. This helps the mix dry and keeps clumps from sticking together too much. Let it cool at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or until the coating feels set and dry to the touch. -
Add candies and sprinkles.
Once cool, sprinkle on the holiday chocolate candies and sprinkles. Gently toss with clean hands right on the baking sheet so the colorful bits are evenly distributed. This keeps the colors bright instead of streaky from warm chocolate. -
Serve or store.
Transfer your finished Christmas snack mix to a big serving bowl, portion into treat bags, or pack into airtight containers for gifting. Taste a handful—you know, for quality control.
Servings & Timing
- Yield: About 10–12 servings (roughly 12 cups of mix)
- Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
- Cooling Time: 20–30 minutes
- Total Time: About 40–50 minutes
If you’re making this for a Christmas party snack table or gift tins, I’d plan on doubling the recipe. It goes faster than you think.
Variations
Here’s where you can have some fun with this holiday snack mix:
- Peppermint Reindeer Chow: Stir in ½ teaspoon peppermint extract with the vanilla and add crushed candy canes with the sprinkles.
- Nut-Free Reindeer Chow: Skip the peanuts and peanut butter; use sunflower seed butter and extra pretzels and cereal.
- Salty-Crunch Boost: Mix in bugles, Goldfish crackers, or rye chips for a more snack mix-style festive party mix.
- Extra Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack: Add chocolate-covered pretzels and mini peanut butter cups cut in half.
- Snowy White Version: Use only white chocolate chips and add coconut flakes for a winter wonderland look.
- Grown-Up Mix: Add roasted almonds, cashews, and a pinch of flaky sea salt at the end for a more “cocktail-hour” winter snack mix.
Honestly, once you learn the base Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe, you can adjust it for any holiday or birthday.
Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store your reindeer chow snack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5–7 days. Keep it away from heat sources or direct sunlight so the chocolate doesn’t melt.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. Press out extra air before sealing.
- Thawing: If frozen, let the mix sit on the counter in a closed container for 30–45 minutes. Keeping it sealed while it warms back up prevents condensation and sogginess.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This Christmas snack mix is perfect to make 2–3 days before a party. I often make a big batch on Sunday and we snack on it through the week.
No real “reheating” needed here—just let it come to room temp if chilled, and it’s ready to crunch.
Notes
- Batch Size: If you have a smaller family, you can easily cut this recipe in half. But I rarely do because my husband and the grandkids seem to sniff it out from every corner of the house.
- Chunk Size: If you like clumps, don’t spread the mix too thin while it cools and use a lighter hand with the powdered sugar. For looser snack mix, spread it out more and toss a bit more often while it cools.
- Chocolate Melt Troubleshooting: If your chocolate looks grainy or seized, it probably got too hot. Add 1–2 teaspoons of neutral oil (like canola) and stir; often it will smooth back out enough for coating.
- Color Themes: Swap the candy colors and sprinkles to match other holidays—pastels for Easter, team colors for game day, or pink and red for Valentine’s Day. The method stays exactly the same.
- Data-Driven Tip: Quick, no-bake snack recipes like this are some of the most saved and shared on Pinterest and Instagram every December. If you’re hosting, a familiar, nostalgic snack mix is often what people reach for first on a crowded dessert table.
I tested this a few times, one batch with only white chocolate and one with both white and semi-sweet. The mix of the two chocolates always disappeared first—so that’s the version you’re getting here.
FAQs
Can I make this Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe without peanut butter?
Yes. Use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter instead, and skip the peanuts or replace them with more cereal and pretzels for a nut-free reindeer chow snack.
Is this safe for kids with nut allergies?
Only if you remove all nuts and peanut products and carefully check every ingredient label. In that case, call it “holiday snack mix” and let parents know what’s in it.
Can I use almond bark instead of chocolate chips?
You can. Melt almond bark according to package directions and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla as written; you may not need the butter since almond bark melts very smoothly.
Why is my snack mix soggy or soft?
This usually means the coating was too warm when you sealed it up, or there was moisture in the container. Let the mix cool completely on the tray and use a truly airtight container.
How far ahead can I make this Christmas snack mix?
For the best crunch and color, I like to make it 1–3 days ahead. It will still taste good up to a week, but the cereals soften slightly over time.
Can kids help make this recipe?
Definitely. Adults should handle the hot chocolate mixture, but kids can help measure cereal, toss the mixture, and add the candies and sprinkles at the end. It’s a great “Christmas helper” task.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Yes, just use a very large mixing bowl or mix in two batches. You’ll also want extra baking sheets so the reindeer chow mix has room to cool.
What’s the best way to package this as an edible holiday gift?
Fill clear cellophane bags or small mason jars, tie with ribbon, add a cute tag, and store in a cool spot until gifting. It looks especially festive layered with extra candies on top.
Conclusion
This Reindeer Chow Snack Mix Recipe is everything I love about holiday cooking: simple, festive, shareable, and easy enough for a busy weekday night. It works as a Christmas party snack, a reindeer party food centerpiece, and a last-minute edible holiday gift when you’re short on time but still want something homemade.
Give it a try this season, and let me know how your family personalizes their reindeer chow snack—more chocolate, extra pretzels, no nuts, you name it. And if you enjoy cozy, no-bake recipes like this, you might like pairing it with a big pot of homemade hot chocolate or a pan of fudge for your next winter movie night.
Reindeer Chow Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal or Corn Chex, or any plain Chex cereal
- 3 cups mini pretzels twists or mini pretzel sticks
- 2 cups Cheerios or toasted oat cereal
- 1 1/2 cups salted peanuts or mixed nuts, or omit for nut-free
- 1 1/2 cups red and green chocolate candies such as holiday M&M’s
- 1 cup holiday sprinkles optional; jimmies or small shapes
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips high-quality melts best
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter not natural; use a shelf-stable brand
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt omit if peanut butter is very salty
- 1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted; start with 1 cup and add to taste
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Set out a very large mixing bowl, larger than you think you need, to help prevent spills when stirring.
- In the large bowl, add the Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, Cheerios, and salted peanuts. Gently toss with your hands or a large spoon until evenly combined. Set the chocolate candies and sprinkles aside for later so they don’t melt.4 cups Rice Chex cereal, 3 cups mini pretzels, 2 cups Cheerios or toasted oat cereal, 1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 1 1/2–2 minutes total.1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Stir the vanilla extract and fine sea salt into the melted chocolate mixture. The mixture should be pourable but not thin; it should resemble warm fudge sauce. If it seems too thick, microwave for another 10–15 seconds and stir again.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Pour the warm chocolate–peanut butter mixture over the cereal and pretzel mixture in the large bowl. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold and scoop from the bottom until all the cereal is evenly coated. Work fairly quickly so the coating doesn’t begin to set.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered sugar over the coated mixture. Toss gently until most pieces are coated and look snowy. If you prefer a sweeter or more powdery mix, add up to an additional 1/2 cup powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you reach your desired look and taste.1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Divide the coated snack mix between the two prepared baking sheets, spreading it into an even single layer. Let cool at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or until the coating is set and dry to the touch.
- Once the mix is completely cool, sprinkle the red and green chocolate candies and holiday sprinkles evenly over the trays. Use clean hands to gently toss on the baking sheets so the colorful pieces are well distributed without melting.1 1/2 cups red and green chocolate candies, 1 cup holiday sprinkles
- Transfer the finished Reindeer Chow Snack Mix to a large serving bowl, individual treat bags, jars, or airtight containers for gifting or storage.
