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Reindeer Chow

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers and Snacks for Any Occasion.

A festive muddy buddy mix featuring cereal glazed in chocolate and peanut butter with red and green candies. Prepared in only 15 minutes, ideal for gifting or celebrating the holidays with snacks.

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A man wearing a white shirt and suspenders holding a piece of paper.
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:55:07 GMT
Cereal pieces covered in powdered sugar with bright red and green candy-coated chocolates in a bowl. Pin it
Cereal pieces covered in powdered sugar with bright red and green candy-coated chocolates in a bowl. | chefmelt.com

Need a quick holiday treat without any fuss? This Reindeer Chow mix brings Christmas joy in minutes! Just combine Chex with melted chocolate and peanut butter, toss in powdered sugar, and throw in some festive candy pieces. These no-bake goodies won't keep you stuck in the kitchen!

What Makes This Mix So Popular

This quick snack fits perfectly into hectic holiday schedules. You can put it together in just minutes, and it's a hit with kids who love joining in the fun. It also makes wonderful gifts - just pop it in cute containers or holiday bags!

Your Ingredients List

  • Chex Cereal: Pick whatever variety you prefer.
  • Peanut Butter: Adds that irresistible nutty flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips: They melt perfectly for coating.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates that snowy white finish.
  • Holiday M&Ms: Brings in Christmas colors and crunch.
  • Vanilla: Gives everything a wonderful aroma.

Creating Your Holiday Mix

Melt The Ingredients
Start by warming your peanut butter, butter and chocolate until they're silky smooth - microwave in short bursts!
Cover The Cereal
Drizzle your melted mixture over the Chex and stir carefully so everything gets coated.
Shake It Up
Dump everything into a paper bag with the sugar and give it a good shake until every piece is covered.
Add Some Color
Mix those holiday candies into your creation for a festive Christmas touch.
Time To Enjoy
Now your snack mix is ready to munch on or wrap up as gifts!

Insider Tricks

I've made this countless times and learned a few things: Rice Chex stays crunchiest, don't stir too hard or you'll break the pieces, and try eating some straight from the freezer - it's surprisingly good! You can also switch up the mix-ins for different flavors.

A bowl of holiday snack mix containing chocolate-coated cereal, powdered sugar, and red and green candy-coated chocolates. Pin it
A bowl of holiday snack mix containing chocolate-coated cereal, powdered sugar, and red and green candy-coated chocolates. | chefmelt.com

Storage Secrets

Your Reindeer Chow stays fresh and crunchy in a sealed container for about a week. You can even freeze it for up to a month! That makes it super handy for preparing ahead for holiday gatherings or last-minute gift needs.

Christmas Traditions

This mix always brings the holiday spirit! Whether we're munching during family movie nights or giving batches to friends, it just screams Christmas. It's become one of our can't-skip holiday traditions every December!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which cereal brand works the best for this?

Most folks prefer Rice Chex, but alternatives like maize-based cereal work just as well. Rice versions tend to give the best texture and coat smoothly.

→ Is it okay to store this in the freezer?

Sure, this snack freezes just fine! Some folks even prefer munching on it straight from the freezer. Keep it sealed tightly in a container.

→ What’s the purpose of using two paper bags?

This trick stops the bag from ripping and spilling sugary powder everywhere while you’re shaking things up to coat the mix.

→ Would crunchy peanut butter work in this?

Absolutely, it’ll add a nice crunch to the mix. Whether you go for smooth or crunchy, both work perfectly.

→ How long does this stay fresh?

If stored in a closed container, it keeps well for about 1–2 weeks at room temperature. Toss it in the freezer for a longer shelf life.

Reindeer Chow

A festive spin on muddy buddies crafted with French cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and bright M&Ms. Great for holiday sharing or enjoying on your own.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 20 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 cup peanut butter.
02 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate.
03 18 oz holiday M&Ms.
04 1 tsp vanilla extract.
05 14 cups Chex cereal.
06 4-5 cups powdered sugar.
07 1/2 cup unsalted butter.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up the peanut butter with butter in a microwave. Stir every 30 seconds.

Step 02

Slowly blend the chocolate into the melted mixture until it’s all smooth.

Step 03

Mix the vanilla extract into the melted mixture.

Step 04

In a large bowl, mix half of the cereal with half of the chocolate blend.

Step 05

Put one bag into another and add 1/2 cup powdered sugar at the bottom.

Step 06

Put the coated cereal in the bags, then shake them thoroughly to cover the pieces.

Step 07

If needed, sprinkle in more powdered sugar till completely covered.

Step 08

Stir in 1/4 of the M&Ms and move everything to a container.

Step 09

Do the same process with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 10

Keep it in a container with a tight lid or freeze if needed.

Notes

  1. Perfect for gifting during holidays.
  2. Customize M&Ms to match different occasions.
  3. Can store in the freezer.
  4. Quick to prepare festive snack.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big mixing bowl.
  • Microwave-safe dish.
  • A pair of sturdy paper bags.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains peanuts.
  • Has dairy ingredients like butter and chocolate.
  • Could include gluten if using wheat-based Chex cereal.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 586
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 88 g
  • Protein: 9 g