Nothing gets me more into the holiday spirit than whipping up a batch of this fun and festive Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of colorful candy-coated cereal, crunchy pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, and those classic Christmas M&M’s that come together to create a snack mix bursting with holiday joy. The vibrant red, green, and white coating not only makes it look magical but also adds a sweet, melty texture that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser at your holiday party or a sweet treat to share with loved ones, this mix is guaranteed to be a hit and bring plenty of smiles around the snack table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe comes together with a handful of simple yet essential ingredients, each playing its own role in delivering the perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and festive flair. From the crispy cereal to the colorful candy melts, every component has been chosen to bring texture, flavor, and a beautiful holiday palette to your snack bowl.
- 9 cups Rice Chex (or Corn Chex): The crunchy cereal base that soaks up the candy melts beautifully for that perfect, crispy snack.
- 1.5 cups white candy melts: Creamy, sweet coating that adds a snowy white accent and delicious flavor to the mix.
- 1.5 cups red candy melts: Bright and festive, these red melts bring that iconic Christmas color and a sweet buttery taste.
- 1.5 cups green candy melts: The green candy melts round out the holiday colors and add a lovely smooth coating on the cereal.
- 3 cups powdered sugar (divided): Used for dusting and sealing in the flavorful coating, giving the mix a delicate sweetness and snowy finish.
- 2 cups mini pretzels (pretzel sticks or twists): Adds a salty crunch that complements the sweet coatings perfectly for a balanced flavor.
- 7.6 ounces of mini peanut butter cups: Little pockets of creamy peanut butter that add richness and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
- 1.5 cups Christmas M&M’s: The colorful, crispy candy-coated chocolates bring a festive pop and extra chocolatey fun.
- 6 ounces SnoCap candies: These classic red candy dots add a little nostalgic crunch and a burst of holiday color.
How to Make Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Candy Melts
Start by setting up three microwave-safe bowls, each holding one color of candy melts — white, red, and green. This step is the foundation of the whole recipe, as these melts will coat the cereal and give the mix its festive look and sweet flavor. Heating in short 30-second bursts in the microwave, stir between each, ensures the candy melts melt smoothly without burning.
Step 2: Coat the Cereal in Candy Melts
Once each bowl of candy melts is silky smooth, gently add 3 cups of Rice Chex to each bowl. Toss the cereal carefully to fully coat each piece with the melted candy. This is where each bite starts to get that magical holiday color and sweetness, making the base of our Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe truly special.
Step 3: Dust with Powdered Sugar
Prepare three gallon-sized Ziploc bags, adding one cup of powdered sugar into each. Transfer the coated cereal from each bowl into its own sugar-filled bag, seal tightly, and shake thoroughly. This coats the candy-covered cereal in a light dusting of powdered sugar that adds a gentle sweetness and helps prevent the pieces from sticking together.
Step 4: Chill the Mix
Pop the sealed bags into the fridge for about 10 minutes. Letting the coated cereal set and chill not only firms up the candy coating but also ensures a crisp and crackly texture that’s so satisfying to crunch on later.
Step 5: Combine All Components
After chilling, pour all three bags into a large mixing bowl and add the mini pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, Christmas M&M’s, and SnoCap candies. Toss everything gently until all those colorful, crunchy, and sweet elements are evenly mixed, creating that iconic Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe festive medley.
How to Serve Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a few whole candy canes or colorful holiday sprinkles around the serving bowl. Fresh rosemary sprigs work surprisingly well too, giving the cheese mix a seasonal pine aroma to complement the sweetness.
Side Dishes
This snack mix pairs wonderfully with warm drinks like hot chocolate or spiced cider. Set it alongside a cheese platter or seasonal fruit for an easy holiday spread that keeps guests nibbling happily.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe in cute holiday-themed bowls or fill clear mason jars tied with ribbons for a charming gift. You can also portion it into little treat bags and hand them out as delightful stocking stuffers or party favors!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (though that rarely happens!), store the Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crunchy for about one week, making it perfect for snacking throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
For longer storage, place the mix in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw to room temperature in a sealed container to prevent moisture from softening the crunch.
Reheating
Since this mix is best enjoyed crunchy and cold, reheating is not necessary. If the candy melts soften, simply allow the mix to sit in a cool, dry place until it firms up again for the perfect texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I substitute different cereals for Rice Chex in this recipe?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex gives a nice light crunch, you can use Corn Chex or even Wheat Chex to add a slightly different texture and flavor. Just be mindful that cereals with heavier coatings may affect how well the candy melts stick.
What if I don’t have candy melts? Can I use chocolate chips instead?
You can substitute chocolate chips for candy melts, but they behave a little differently. Chocolate can sometimes seize when melting, so it’s best to melt with a little bit of vegetable oil or shortening for smoothness. Candy melts are easier to work with for that perfect coating and vibrant holiday colors.
Is this recipe safe for people with peanut allergies?
This recipe contains mini peanut butter cups, which are not safe for peanut allergy sufferers. However, you can omit them or substitute with allergy-friendly candies so everyone can enjoy this festive mix.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
While the traditional Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe uses dairy-based candy melts and peanut butter cups, you can look for vegan candy melts and dairy-free chocolate treats to adapt the recipe to suit your dietary needs.
How long does it take to prepare this snack mix?
From start to finish, preparing this Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe takes about 30 minutes. It’s a quick and fun activity that yields a festive snack perfect for gifting or party sharing.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe enough for anyone looking to add a little magic and sweetness to their holiday celebrations. It’s colorful, crunchy, and loaded with delightful flavors that scream festive cheer. Whether you’re making it for family gatherings, parties, or just because the holidays deserve a treat, dive in and enjoy every joyful bite!
Print
Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 cups
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix is a colorful, sweet, and crunchy holiday snack blend featuring Rice Chex coated in white, red, and green candy melts, dusted with powdered sugar, and mixed with mini pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, Christmas M&M’s, and SnoCap candies. Perfect for holiday parties or gifting during the season.
Ingredients
Chex Mix Base
- 9 cups Rice Chex (or Corn Chex)
- 1.5 cups white candy melts
- 1.5 cups red candy melts
- 1.5 cups green candy melts
- 3 cups powdered sugar (divided)
Mix-ins
- 2 cups mini pretzels (pretzel sticks or pretzel twists)
- 7.6 ounces mini peanut butter cups
- 1.5 cups Christmas M&M’s
- 6 ounces SnoCap candies
Instructions
- Melt the candy melts: Place the white, red, and green candy melts into three separate microwave-safe bowls.
- Microwave the candy melts: Heat each bowl one by one in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the candy melts are fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the cereal in candy melts: To each bowl of melted candy, add 3 cups of Rice Chex cereal and gently toss to evenly coat the cereal pieces in the colored candy melts.
- Prepare powdered sugar bags: Put 1 cup of powdered sugar into each of three gallon-sized Ziploc bags.
- Coat the candy-coated cereal in powdered sugar: Transfer coated cereal from each bowl into a corresponding powdered sugar bag, seal tightly, and shake well until the cereal is thoroughly coated in powdered sugar.
- Chill the coated cereal: Place the sealed Ziploc bags in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow the candy melt coating to set.
- Combine the mix-ins: In a large mixing bowl, combine all three bags of coated cereal along with the mini pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, Christmas M&M’s, and SnoCap candies. Toss gently to mix everything evenly.
- Serve and enjoy: Once mixed, the Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix is ready to be served at your festive gathering or packed for gifting.
Notes
- Use Rice or Corn Chex depending on preference; gluten-free options can be chosen accordingly.
- When melting candy melts, stir after each microwave interval to avoid burning and ensure smooth texture.
- Adjust mix-ins to your liking or dietary restrictions, for example, using allergen-free candies.
- Store the mix in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- If you prefer a less sweet snack, reduce the amount of powdered sugar coating.
