Christmas Chex Mix Reindeer Chow
Looking for a fun, addictive holiday snack that’s equal parts sweet and salty? This Reindeer Chow (aka Christmas Chex Mix) is the perfect festive treat! Coated in creamy white chocolate and loaded with Chex cereal, Cheerios, pretzels, nuts, and red-and-green M&M’s, it’s a delightful twist on puppy chow—great for movie nights, gift bags, or leaving out for Santa’s hardworking reindeer. Quick to make and impossible to stop eating!
We could live on snacks and appetizers during this season and the choices are endless. Are you like us, you just want a festive fun snack while watching Christmas movies or playing games with the family? So why don’t you level up your snack game with our Reindeer Chow? We’ve got a simple, tasty recipe for this white chocolate Chex mix snack that’s sure to become your new holiday tradition. Combining sweet and salty notes with festive cheer, it’s the perfect snack to accompany your Christmas movie marathon, or a surprise for Santa’s reindeer (and Santa himself). Also this White Chocolate Chex Mix is great for snacking and can be made ahead of time and stored in airtight containers.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase we might receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
This Christmas Chex Mix is the top of the list for snacks around Christmas. It’s easily made with M&M’s, pecans, pretzels, cereals and it’s coated with white chocolate. And you might wish to make more than one batch because it doesn’t last long.
Also don’t you think it’s time we re-write the traditional ‘leaving-the-cookie-out-for-Santa’ script? Let’s show some love to the tireless reindeer with a snack they can’t resist – the delicious Reindeer Chow. Not only will this treat be the hit of your holiday season, but it could also give reindeer the much-needed fuel for their epic journey. So, ready to join us in our new Christmas tradition?
Christmas Chex Mix Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of Chex cereal
- 3 cups of Cheerios
- 3 cups of Pecans or Peanuts
- 3 cups of plain red and green M&M’s
- 3 cups of Pretzel Sticks
- 1-12 oz bag white chocolate chips
Equipment Needed:
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or wax paper
- Microwave safe bowl or a candy melting pot
- Spatula
- Air Tight Container
How to Make this White Chocolate Chex Mix
We also call this Christmas Chex Mix, Reindeer Chow and it has the perfect blend of sweet and salty. It’s also fun for the little ones to leave out for Santa’s Reindeer.
Instructions:
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
- In a very large mixing bowl, gently combine the first five ingredients (Corn Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and M&M’s) until evenly mixed.
- Place the white chocolate chips (or almond bark) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted and smooth. (You can also use a candy melting pot or double boiler.)
- Immediately pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture. Stir gently but quickly with a spatula until every piece is evenly coated.
- Spread the coated mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Allow it to cool and set completely (about 30–60 minutes at room temperature, or speed it up in the refrigerator).
- Once fully cooled and hardened, break into bite-sized clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Enjoy your addictive Reindeer Chow!
Variations to our Reindeer Chow
Here are three delicious variations on the classic Reindeer Chow recipe, keeping the same easy method (mix dry ingredients, coat in melted coating, spread to cool) but switching up flavors and colors for variety. Each variation yields about the same amount as the original.
Variation 1: Gingerbread Spice Reindeer Chow (Warm & Cozy)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Rice Chex (or Corn Chex)
- 3 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists or gingersnap cookie pieces
- 2 cups pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
- 3 cups caramel or gingerbread-flavored M&M’s (or regular + extra cinnamon)
- 18 oz white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon + ½ tsp ground ginger + ¼ tsp nutmeg stirred into the melted chocolate
- Instructions: Melt the white chocolate, stir in the spices, then coat the mix as usual. The warm spices give it a gingerbread-house vibe — great for December!
Variation 2: Chocolate Lover’s Reindeer Chow (Double Chocolate)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Chocolate Chex
- 3 cups Chocolate Cheerios (or regular Cheerios)
- 3 cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups salted peanuts or mixed nuts
- 3 cups chocolate holiday M&M’s (or regular milk chocolate M&M’s)
- 16–20 oz milk or dark chocolate chips (or half milk/half white for a swirled look)
- Optional: sprinkle of sea salt on top while still wet
- Instructions: Same method — melt the chocolate, coat everything, spread to cool. The chocolate-on-chocolate version is richer and less sweet than the original.
Variation 3: Peppermint Reindeer Chow (Minty Holiday Crunch)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Corn Chex
- 3 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
- 2 cups peppermint crunch candies or crushed candy canes (or Andes peppermint pieces)
- 3 cups holiday M&M’s (red/green or peppermint flavor)
- 18–20 oz white chocolate chips (or almond bark)
- Optional: ½ tsp peppermint extract stirred into the melted chocolate
- Instructions: Follow the original steps. The peppermint pieces will melt slightly into the white chocolate for a cool, minty kick. Perfect for peppermint lovers!
All three store just like the original in airtight containers and make fantastic gifts in festive tins or bags. Enjoy your holiday snacking! 🎄🦌
Make your Christmas extra merry and bright with any of these irresistibly sweet and salty Reindeer Chows! Perfect for festive movie nights, decorating the tree or as a special treat for Santa’s hard-working reindeer.
We have always left Santa plenty of cookies and milk but what about all those reindeer, they need loads of energy to pull that overloaded sleigh don’t they? I think we need to make extra of this Reindeer chow, don’t you? And I bet Santa will not just save this Reindeer chow for the reindeer but I bet he enjoys it also.
This Christmas Chex Mix is a fun tradition here at the Ranch, feeding Santa’s Reindeer and Santa.
Other Christmas Treats and Snacks:
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
- parchment paper or Wax Paper
- Candy Melt Melting Pot or microwave safe bowl
- Air Tight Container
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chex cereal
- 3 cups Cheerios
- 3 cups pecans or peanuts
- 3 cups plain red and green M&M’s
- 3 cups pretzel sticks
- 1 12 oz Bag white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
- In a very large mixing bowl, gently combine the first five ingredients (Corn Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and M&M’s) until evenly mixed.
- Place the white chocolate chips (or almond bark) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted and smooth. (You can also use a candy melting pot or double boiler.)
- Immediately pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture. Stir gently but quickly with a spatula until every piece is evenly coated.
- Spread the coated mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Allow it to cool and set completely (about 30–60 minutes at room temperature, or speed it up in the refrigerator).
- Once fully cooled and hardened, break into bite-sized clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Click HERE to save this Christmas Chex Mix to Pinterest
This looks so festive, simple and most of all delicious! Thanks for sharing.
I could eat that whole container!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
The kids would LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday, this week.
How fun! You are right…can't leave out the reindeer. When I was a kid we left a carrot. Reindeer today are luckier! Thank you for linking, Evelyn.
This looks so good!!! And I'm so with you… I could just eat snacks and appetizers (and the occasional dessert, of course!!!) all day every day! This looks so addicting!!!
Evelyn,
Love the new look! The reindeer chow will be a hit with the grandchildren, yummy stuff. Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Trivia. Featuring today and pinned of course.
Merry Christmas,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Here from the Grand Social and mujer you put me and my waistline in trouble now!! ; ) Gonna pin this one 'cause I know everyone's gonna ♥ it. Gracias & BB2U
Hi Evelyn,
Your Reindeer Chow would be a great snack for the holidays. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and enjoy your weekend!
Miz Helen
Reindeer Chow is so addicting. It's a big hit with my family. Thank you for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next week.
Wow this looks great, my kids would love this and I would too 🙂
Hi Evelyn! Your Reindeer Chow is one of the Top Features from last week's Sweet Wednesday Link Party! Congratulations and stop by to grab a featured button: http://www.my-sweet-mission.com/2013/12/top-features-from-swlp-14-christmas.html
Also, this post is pinned to my Features from Sweet Wednesday Link Party board too: http://www.pinterest.com/mysweetmission/features-from-sweet-wednesday-link-party/
Thanks so much for linking up, I appreciate you!
Hugs,
Heather
MySweetMission.net
Thank you so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party. We love having your join the fun.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
My kiddos would have so much fun making and eating this!