No holiday party is complete without a big bowl of reindeer chow! This Christmas chex mix is loaded with chocolate flavor and is perfect for feeding a crowd.
Chocolate muddy buddies, holiday M&M’s, peanut butter cups and pretzels all come together for a festive snack mix that’s easy to make and fun to eat!
You have been warned: this reindeer chow is addicting! I may or may not have grabbed a handful every time I walked by on the day I made this awesome chex mix. It’s the ultimate Christmas snack with the perfect blend of sweet and savory and it features the classic flavor combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
How to make reindeer chow
To make the muddy buddies in this reindeer chow, you’ll need Rice Chex, chocolate chips, peanut butter and dry brownie mix. That’s it! The cereal is coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then covered in the brownie mix. If you don’t want to use brownie mix, you can use powdered sugar with some cocoa powder mixed into it. After the muddy buddies are dry, they get mixed together with Christmas M&M’s, miniature peanut butter cups and pretzels.
The end result is an amazing combination of flavors and textures. This Christmas chex mix makes a large batch, so it’s perfect for a holiday party or to package up in tins or cellphone bags for gift giving.
I know there are a lot of peanut allergies out there, and it is possible to make this reindeer chow peanut free! Simply use white candy melts instead of the peanut butter for the muddy buddies, and instead of miniature peanut butter cups, you can use mini marshmallows.
To me, it’s not the holidays without reindeer chow. It’s incredibly delicious and couldn’t be any easier to make. In about 20 minutes you can have a fun and festive treat that’s sure to be enjoyed by all!
More holiday treats
Reindeer Chow Video
Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup dry brownie mix or 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 bag Christmas M&M's 12 ounce bag
- 2 cups mini peanut butter cups
- 2 cups pretzel twists
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave the chocolate mixture for 30 second intervals until melted; stir until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and use a spatula to gently toss the cereal in the chocolate until completely coated.
- Place the brownie mix inside a resealable gallon sized plastic bag. Add the chocolate coated cereal. Seal, then shake until cereal is coated in the brownie mix.
- Spread the cereal out in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper; cool completely until dry.
- Combine the cereal, M&M's, peanut butter cups and pretzel twists, then serve.
I made this as Christmas gifts for friends and co-workers. I had enough to give out about 75 or more gift size bags. Everyone loved them and some close friends demanded Tupperware bowlfuls not the fight size bags.. It’s easy to make, adaptable to changing ingredients and a lo cost recipe. Also great for parties or movie night.
When gifting in cellophane bags- how many bags should this make?!!
It makes about 12 cups of snack mix, so the number of bags depends on the size of your bags and how much you add to each bag!
So good! Had to sift some extra powdered sugar afterwards cause it wasn’t getting all the nooks n’ crannies in the ziplock bag. Otherwise DELISH! Going to put small portions in cupcake liners for COVID friendly serving.
I make this every year now for holiday gifts as everyone loves it! I get cute tins at the dollar store and an amazing gift is done! Love your recipes!
Can I use any brownie mix?
Yes that’s fine!
Have you used the Honey Chex for this recipe before ?
I have not but I think it would work just fine!
I used the honey chex and it was delicious.
Can this be made ahead and frozen?
I’m not sure how well this would hold up to the freezer, the powdered sugar would probably melt as would the M&M’s from the condensation when thawing. But it will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for a while!
How long should it take for the mix to dry?
About 30 minutes!
I want to make this in my classroom but we won’t have heat! Do you think I could use chocolate syrup instead of melting chocolate?
You have to use melted chocolate or the coating won’t set.
Wilton sells a candy melter…looks like a little melting pot type thing. Just plug it in and put the candy in there.
You can use a crockpot to melt the chocolate
I use a small crockpot.to heat the chocolate
Does this call for unsweetened or sweetened cocoa powder?
Unsweetened
At Christmas time, Hershey’s sells a candy that looks like M&Ms but is safe for people with peanut/treenut allergies. (M&Ms aren’t safe.). Rolos are a nice suggestion. If you still want a safe peanut flavor, Sunbutter is an option for replacing peanut butter.
This is a really great recipe! Its also so easy to make Gluten free!
How can you make G.F..?
Is the cocoa powder necessary if using powdered sugar?
You can skip the cocoa but your chex will be white instead of brown like the photos!
What is the serving size?
3/4 cup!
If put in an airtight container does this chow stay fresh? How long can it be stored that way?
Looks wonderful and sounds delish.Thank you.
It should keep for up to a week!
Hi, what size m and m bag is used for this recipe?
11.4 ounce bag!
This a wonderful holiday treat. To make it even more special, take scoops of the chow and put it in holiday themed , foil cupcake holders and bring them to a holiday party. They will disappear quickly!
Love the idea of putting them in cupcake holders for a fun presentation!
Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!
Where can I find mini peanut butter cups? Do they sell them at most grocery stores? Thank you very much!
They come unwrapped in a bag in the candy section, they’re called Reese’s Mini Unwrapped Peanut Butter Cups!
I use a 10 oz bag of Reese’s peanut butter chips (in the choc chip section of grocery)