If you love festive treats that are super easy to make yet bursting with flavor, you are going to adore this Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix. It’s a delightful combination of crunchy cereal coated in a rich, chocolatey, peanut buttery glaze that’s finally dusted with a snowy layer of powdered sugar. This snack mix is sweet, crunchy, and perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy nights by the fire, or even a fun gift to share with friends and family during the season. It’s essentially a Christmas take on that classic, beloved muddy buddy snack, making it both nostalgic and refreshingly festive.

Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity—just a handful of pantry staples come together to create such a crave-worthy snack. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: the Rice Chex provides the perfect crunchy base, chocolate chips and peanut butter blend into a luscious coating, butter smooths the mix, vanilla adds warmth, and powdered sugar offers a sweet finishing touch that makes this truly special.

6 cups Rice Chex cereal: The crunchy foundation that holds all the delicious coating perfectly and keeps things light and airy.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Melts into a rich, silky coating that adds the perfect amount of chocolate goodness.
1/2 cup peanut butter: Adds a creamy, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the chocolate for that classic taste.
1/4 cup butter: Helps everything melt together smoothly and adds a touch of richness to the mix.
1 tsp vanilla extract: A splash of warmth and depth, bringing all the flavors together harmoniously.
1/2 cup powdered sugar: The snowy topping that gives this snack its festive look and a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth finish.

How to Make Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Begin by placing your semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Melt these together by microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until you get a smooth, glossy mixture. This step is key to achieving a luscious coating that will cling lovingly to every piece of cereal.

Step 2: Add Vanilla Extract

Once the chocolate and peanut butter blend is perfectly smooth, stir in the vanilla extract. This subtle addition really enhances the flavor, infusing the snack mix with cozy notes that are ideal for the holiday season.

Step 3: Combine with Rice Chex

Pour the melted mixture over the Rice Chex cereal and gently fold everything together. You’ll want to coat every crisp piece without crushing the cereal, ensuring each one is perfectly covered and ready for the next delicious step.

Step 4: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Transfer the coated cereal onto a large baking sheet or into a big bowl. Sprinkle the powdered sugar over the top and toss or stir gently until everything is evenly coated in a snowy, sweet layer—this adds that magical festive look and a touch of extra sweetness.

How to Serve Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix

Garnishes

For an extra-special touch, try adding festive garnishes like red and green holiday sprinkles or mini candy canes crushed into small pieces. These not only add color and crunch but amplify the Christmas vibe, making your Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix even more irresistible at any holiday party.

Side Dishes

This snack mix is fantastic on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of cocoa or a spiced holiday coffee. You can also set it alongside a cheese board with fruity and nutty elements, creating a fun balance between sweet and savory flavors during your gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

Packaging your Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix in festive cellophane bags tied with bright ribbons makes for delightful homemade gifts. Or serve it in big holiday-themed bowls during parties—watch it disappear quickly as guests grab handfuls. Layer it in clear jars with colored ribbons for a beautiful display on your dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your leftover Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix will keep great in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This makes it perfect for making ahead of time or preparing in larger batches for holiday celebrations that last several days.

Freezing

If you want to keep this snack mix fresh for even longer, freezing is an excellent option. Store it in a tightly sealed freezer bag or container, and it will maintain its flavor and texture for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw it completely at room temperature before serving to ensure the powdered sugar coating stays intact.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary with this snack mix, as it’s best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. If you’d like to refresh it, a few minutes at room temperature will soften the mix just enough to bring out the peanut butter and chocolate aroma without melting the sugar coating.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cereal?

Absolutely! While Rice Chex is classic for this recipe because of its light crispiness, you can experiment with Corn Chex or even Cheerios for different textures and flavors. Just make sure the cereal is sturdy enough to hold up to the coating.

Is it possible to make this snack mix nut-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or another nut-free alternative. This creates a similar creamy texture without the allergens, so everyone can enjoy the Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix.

How long does it take to make?

This recipe is fabulously quick—about 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect when you need a speedy snack that still feels special and festive.

Can I add other ingredients to customize the mix?

Definitely! Dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, or candy-coated chocolates are great options to add extra color and flavor. Just toss them in after the powdered sugar step so they mix in evenly without melting.

What is the best way to serve it at parties?

Serve your Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix in decorative bowls or small festive cups for easy grabbing. Providing scoops or spoons lets guests serve themselves more neatly, making it perfect for casual holiday gatherings.

Final Thoughts

If you want a holiday treat that’s both playful and delicious, you simply can’t go wrong with this Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix. It’s one of those snacks everyone will go back for seconds of, combining crunchy, creamy, and sweet in every bite. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll find yourself reaching for it all season long—and maybe even gifting it to all your favorite people!

Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Reindeer Chow Christmas Snack Mix is a festive and easy-to-make holiday treat combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal with a rich, smooth blend of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. This sweet snack mix is perfect for holiday parties, gift giving, or a cozy night in during the Christmas season, offering a delightful blend of sweet and salty flavors with a fun, festive twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Cereal

6 cups Rice Chex cereal

Chocolate Mixture

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Coating

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare the Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well between each interval, until the mixture is fully melted, smooth, and well combined.
Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse the chocolate mixture with rich flavor.
Combine with Cereal: Drizzle the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Gently stir or fold the cereal to coat each piece evenly without crushing them.
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle the powdered sugar over the coated cereal. Toss the mixture gently again to ensure an even coating, creating a festive, snowy appearance on the snack mix.
Cool and Serve: Spread the mixture out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and set completely before serving for the best texture and taste.

Notes

For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or omit it entirely and increase chocolate chips by 1/4 cup.
Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain crispness.
Feel free to add holiday-themed sprinkles or candies for extra festive flair.
Use gluten-free certified Rice Chex if making this snack mix for gluten-sensitive individuals.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Microwave melting and mixing
Cuisine: American