Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe

This Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix recipe is super easy and one of my favorite holiday treats to make when I host a Christmas party. It makes a lot and is a huge hit with a crowd.

Another recipe that I made for holiday parties is this Christmas Tree Cherry Hand Pie. Similar to this chex mix, it can be made in less than an hour. The hand pie recipe only requires 3 ingredients making it super easy!

The kids love this easy reindeer chow because the mention of “reindeer” reminds them of Santa and adds to the little extra magic that’s in the air during Christmas time.

This recipe is adapted from the original Chex puppy chow or muddy buddies recipe. With some simple additions, it becomes a Christmas puppy chow recipe. However, this is not a Christmas Reindeer Food recipe. That one usually includes glitter and oats and is a fun craft to do with the kiddos.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy Recipe! It’s a no-bake sweet treat and comes together in less than 15 minutes. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a no-fuss recipe is a welcome addition.
• Perfect Snack Combination! This Reindeer Chow Recipe combines salty pretzels and sweet ingredients to satisfy any craving for a special treat.
• Customize It With Your Favorite Mix-Ins! One of the great things about reindeer puppy chow is it is a flexible recipe, meaning you don’t have to follow the exact ingredients to make this festive treat. Add in what you like and leave out what you don’t like.

Make This For Christmas Treats

Christmas reindeer Chex mix is one of our favorite treats to give to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and school staff to wish them happy holidays. I love gifting baked goods because it tells someone you’re thinking about them without having to add one more item to your holiday shopping list. Plus, if you’re like me, and food is your love language, it’s a nice gesture during the Christmas season.

After making the festive snack mix, divide it into cellophane bags. Attach a tag with the recipient’s personal information, and you’re all set to give the reindeer mix!

Equipment Needed

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Parchment Paper
• Rimmed Cookie Sheet
• Gallon Ziploc Bag

Ingredient Notes

• Chex Cereal – I used rice Chex and corn Chex varieties. But once you coat it with the melted chocolate mixture, you can’t tell the difference. Use whatever you have on hand.
• Creamy Peanut Butter – I recommend the creamy version of peanut butter rather than the chunky one. You want a smooth chocolate mixture to coat the cereal.
• Snyder’s Itty Bitty Pretzels – I love this size pretzel because it compliments the mini marshmallows. If you can’t find the itty bitty size, mini pretzels or even pretzel sticks will do.
• Reese’s Minis Peanut Butter Cups – These can easily be confused with Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups. Minis are even tinier! I buy the ones that are already unwrapped. The regular miniature ones would work if you can’t find the mini ones. They’re just a little bigger.

*Please scroll down to the recipe card for specific ingredient amounts.

Instructions

Step 1. Add chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir. Heat for an additional 30 seconds and stir until creamy and smooth.

Step 2. Add Chex cereal to a large bowl. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal and toss to coat.

Step 3. Spoon the cereal mixture into a gallon Ziploc bag. Next, add the powdered sugar, shake, and rotate the bag until all the cereal has been coated.

Step 4. Pour the cereal onto a large, parchment-lined baking sheet with sides. If the mixture is warm, let it cool to room temperature. 

Step 5. Sprinkle m&m’s, peanut butter cups, pretzels, and mini marshmallows onto the baking sheet.

Pro Tip

I reserve a small portion of each of the add-ins to add after I stir everything together. This keeps the m&m’s and Reese’s minis from getting coated with powdered sugar.

Don’t add the Holiday Sprinkles to the reindeer mix too early or they will end up getting lost. If I’m serving the reindeer chow at a holiday party, I put it in a large bowl with a scoop and add the sprinkles to the top. Filling clear plastic cups with the mix to create individual servings is a great way to serve it at a Christmas party. Add the sprinkles after the cups are filled.

Storage & Freezing

Place the Chex mix into an airtight container or storage bag for up to 1 week. Keeping it in the refrigerator will extend the freshness to a couple of weeks.

Freeze the reindeer mix by placing it into an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Notes/FAQs

• If you don’t have a Ziploc bag handy, you can mix the powdered sugar with the cereal in the mixing bowl. The large bag makes the process a little easier.

Variations

• Nuts – Cashews, almonds, or any of your favorite nuts can be a great addition to this festive recipe.
• White Chocolate Chips – replace the semisweet chips in the melted chocolate mixture with white chocolate instead.
• Other Nut Butters – For someone with a peanut allergy, this Christmas Reindeer Chex Mix Recipe can be made with seed butter or a peanut-free spread.
• Wheat Chex or Cheerios – Any of your favorite cereals can be used for the mixture instead of Chex. I would recommend something on the plain side, not something already sweetened.