The Ultimate Holiday Reindeer Chow (Easy Christmas Treat!)
Imagine the ultimate holiday snack mix: a ridiculously addictive concoction of crunchy cereals coated in a rich chocolate and peanut butter shell, dusted in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, and tossed with mini peanut butter cups, festive M&M’s, and salty pretzels. That, my friends, is the irresistible, can’t-stop-eating magic of this Holiday Reindeer Chow….
Imagine the ultimate holiday snack mix: a ridiculously addictive concoction of crunchy cereals coated in a rich chocolate and peanut butter shell, dusted in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, and tossed with mini peanut butter cups, festive M&M’s, and salty pretzels. That, my friends, is the irresistible, can’t-stop-eating magic of this Holiday Reindeer Chow. This is, without a doubt, the most crowd-pleasing and easiest party mix you will make all season.
I promise you, there is no greater party foul than showing up with a small bowl of this stuff. It vanishes. The salty-sweet combination is perfectly balanced, and every handful is a delightful mix of different shapes, textures, and flavors. It is the perfect treat for holiday movie nights, classroom parties, or bagging up as a delicious homemade gift.
Get ready to create the snack mix that will have everyone hovering over the bowl, a recipe so simple and delicious, it’s destined to become your signature holiday staple.
Why This Reindeer Chow is a Holiday Must-Make
You are going to be completely obsessed with how easy and addictive this snack mix is. It’s a holiday classic for a very good reason. Here’s why:
- The Ultimate Salty & Sweet Combination: The mix of chocolate, peanut butter, salty pretzels, and sweet candies is a perfectly balanced and utterly irresistible flavor explosion.
- Incredibly Easy and No-Bake: Besides a quick melt in the microwave, this is a completely no-bake, mix-and-shake recipe that anyone can master in minutes.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe makes a huge batch (12 cups!), making it the ideal snack for holiday parties, family gatherings, or potlucks.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings | 12 cups |
| Calories | 220 kcal per 1/2 cup serving (estimated) |
| Course | Snack, Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / No-Bake |
Your Shopping List for the Ultimate Snack Mix
This crowd-pleasing recipe comes together with a fun mix of cereal, candy, and pantry staples.
→ For the Holiday Reindeer Chow
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips → The rich, chocolatey base of our delicious coating.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter → For that irresistible, classic chocolate-peanut butter flavor.
Let’s Get Mixing! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready for the most addictive snack mix of your life? It comes together in just a few easy steps.
Part 1: The Chocolate Peanut Butter Coating
- Melt the Chocolate: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate chips according to the package directions. This is usually done in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
- Add the Peanut Butter: Stir the creamy peanut butter into the warm, melted chocolate until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
- Combine the Cereals: In a separate, very large bowl, combine the Chex and Cheerios cereals.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the combined cereals. Use a large spatula to gently stir and fold until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
Part 2: The Snowy Shake and Final Mix
- The Shake!: Carefully transfer the coated cereal mixture into a large (2-gallon) zip-top plastic bag. Add the confectioners’ sugar, seal the bag tightly, and shake, shake, shake! Shake vigorously until every single piece of cereal is completely and evenly coated in a snowy layer of sugar.
- Combine Everything: Pour the sugar-coated cereal mixture into a large, clean serving bowl.
- Add the Goodies: Add the mini peanut butter cups, holiday M&M’s, and mini pretzel twists to the bowl. Gently stir everything together until the candies and pretzels are evenly distributed throughout the mix. Serve and watch it disappear!
Holiday Reindeer Chow Snack Mix
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips according to package directions. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- In a separate, very large bowl, combine the Chex and Cheerios cereals. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir gently until evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top plastic bag. Add the confectioners’ sugar, seal the bag, and shake vigorously until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Pour the coated mixture into a large serving bowl. Stir in the mini peanut butter cups, M&Ms, and pretzels until evenly distributed.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Reindeer Chow
These simple secrets will ensure your holiday snack mix is a massive success.
- Use a VERY Large Bowl. When you’re mixing the cereal and chocolate, you need a lot of room to gently fold without crushing the cereal. The biggest bowl you have is your best friend here.
- Don’t Be Shy When Shaking. To get that perfect, even coating of powdered sugar, you need to shake the bag vigorously. Turn it, flip it, and toss it around. This is the perfect job for an energetic kid!
- Let It Cool Before Adding Mix-ins. For best results, you can spread the powdered sugar-coated cereal on a sheet of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes before adding the candies. If the cereal is too warm, it can start to melt the chocolate on the M&M’s and peanut butter cups.
- Get Creative with Your Mix! This recipe is a fantastic template. Feel free to swap the cereals, add different nuts (like peanuts or pecans), mini marshmallows, or festive sprinkles.
- Make a Double Batch. I’m not kidding. This stuff is dangerously addictive and will disappear faster than you can possibly imagine at a party. It’s always a good idea to have a backup stash.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Holiday Snack Mix
Reindeer Chow has a great shelf life, making it the perfect make-ahead treat for the busy holiday season.
- Storage: Once fully cooled, store the Reindeer Chow in a large airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week. There is no need to refrigerate it.
FAQs: Your Reindeer Chow Questions, Answered!
Can I make this with a different kind of chocolate?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips would work wonderfully. You can also use a combination. A white chocolate version with crushed peppermint candies is another fantastic holiday variation!
Can I make this nut-free?
Yes, but you will need to make some key substitutions. You can use a seed butter like SunButter instead of peanut butter (the flavor will be different but still delicious). You’ll also need to omit the Reese’s cups and swap them for another nut-free candy or extra pretzels.
Can I use only one type of cereal?
Of course. If you only have Chex on hand, just use 6 cups of Chex. The combination of two cereals just adds a little more textural interest, but it’s delicious either way.
My powdered sugar coating seems clumpy and isn’t sticking well. What happened?
This can happen if the chocolate-peanut butter mixture is either too hot or has cooled down too much before you shake it with the sugar. It should be warm and slightly sticky, but not hot and melty. This allows the powdered sugar to adhere perfectly.
Final Thoughts: Your Most Addictive Holiday Snack
There is nothing quite like a recipe that brings pure, simple, snackable joy to a holiday gathering. This Holiday Reindeer Chow is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—a perfect storm of salty, sweet, crunchy, and chocolatey that is impossible to resist. It’s a celebration in a bowl, and I hope it becomes a fun and delicious tradition in your home for many holidays to come. Happy Snacking!
