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Eat like Rudolph with this reindeer chow snack mix recipe! This quick and easy holiday puppy chow comes together quickly and tastes delicious. I loaded it up with peanut butter cups, pretzels, peanuts, white chocolate chips, and of course, Christmas M&M’s to make it super festive. This reindeer mix has the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors and plenty of crunch! It’s a real crowd-pleaser on Christmas Eve. I guarantee won’t be able to stop at just one handful.
This reindeer chow recipe is my fun and festive take on classic puppy chow. I love the mix of sweet and salty flavors! I always make a big batch for party favors on Christmas Eve since my whole family loves this reindeer mix. It’s such a fun and simple recipe. My kids love to shake it up to get it all coated in powdered sugar!
What’s in This Reindeer Chow Recipe?
- Chocolate Chips: I used semisweet chocolate chips to create the coating, and I also added whole white chocolate chips to the snack mix for a pop of sweetness.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter helps create a sticky coating.
- Caramel Sauce: Adds caramel flavor to the coating.
- Butter: Salted butter helps create a cohesive and flavorful coating.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweet flavor of the coating.
- Chex Cereal: Adds a light crunch to the mix. I used rice Chex, but corn also works.
- Powdered Sugar: Helps mattify the coating so it doesn’t remain sticky.
- Mini Pretzels: Add a touch of salty crunch to the mix.
- Mini PB Cups: Add an extra pop of chocolate and peanut butter flavor.
- Christmas M&M’s: Add a pop of festive red and green color and extra crunch.
- Salted Peanuts: Add an extra salty and crunchy element to balance the sweetness.
Tips for Success
- Using a large bag filled with powdered sugar is the best way to get the Chex fully coated. You can get your kids to help with this bit too!
- I made this reindeer chow for Christmas, but you can easily mix things up to serve it as a treat throughout the year. Swap the red and green candy for orange and black for Halloween and add in mini chocolate eggs for Easter! You can add in any chocolate candies you like!
How to Store
This reindeer mix is a great make-ahead recipe for the holidays. Store leftover reindeer chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 34 months. Let come to room temperature, then stir in the candies before serving.
Reindeer Chow Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips 255 grams
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter 203 grams
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce 40 grams
- 3 tablespoons salted butter 42 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 7 cups Chex cereal 210 grams
- 1½ cups powdered sugar 160 grams
- 1½ cups mini pretzels 60 grams
- 1½ cups mini peanut butter cups 30 grams
- 2 cups Christmas M&M's 340 grams
- ½ cup salted peanuts 213 grams
- ½ cup white chocolate chips 85 grams
Instructions
- In a microwavable bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, caramel sauce, and butter. Microwave and stir chocolate mixture in 20-30 second intervals (checking in-between intervals to make sure it’s not burnt) until completely melted when stirred together. Stir in the vanilla extract.1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips, ¾ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, 3 tablespoons salted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the cereal into a large bowl and add in the chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel mixture. Stir the cereal in the mixture until it is all evenly coated being careful not to break the cereal pieces.7 cups Chex cereal
- Grab a gallon-sized plastic bag (like a Ziplock bag) and add all the powdered sugar to the bag. Toss in the coated cereal and shake until all the powdered sugar adheres to the cereal. (You might need two bags to fit it all)1½ cups powdered sugar
- Place cereal mixture into a clean large bowl and then stir in the mini pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, Christmas M&M's, salted peanuts, and white chocolate chips.1½ cups mini pretzels, 1½ cups mini peanut butter cups, 2 cups Christmas M&M's, ½ cup salted peanuts, ½ cup white chocolate chips
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
