If you’re looking for a festive, crunchy, and downright addictive snack to brighten up your holiday gatherings or cozy nights in, the Reindeer Chow Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine a delightful mix of colorful M&Ms, crunchy cereals, salty pretzels, and roasted peanuts all coated in creamy white chocolate that sets into the perfect treat. This snack mix isn’t just versatile and easy to make, but it also captures the spirit of celebration with every bite. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking a handful during a movie marathon, this Reindeer Chow Recipe will quickly become your go-to for holiday snacking and gifting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A close-up image of a white bowl filled with a snack mix of multiple layers and colors, including light beige cereal rings, small pretzel pieces covered in a white coating, and bright green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed evenly throughout. The snack appears powdery and crunchy on the surface, with the bowl placed on a soft pink fabric background. The image focuses on the texture and mix of colors in the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Reindeer Chow Recipe is all about simplicity meeting deliciousness. Each ingredient plays its part perfectly, contributing to the snack’s irresistible balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. You don’t need anything fancy, just a handful of pantry staples that come together magically.

Rice Chex cereal: Provides a light, crispy base that soaks up the white chocolate beautifully without getting soggy.
Cheerios cereal: Adds a slightly heartier, oat flavor and extra crunch for variety in every bite.
Peanuts: Bring a salty, nutty contrast that balances the sweet elements perfectly.
Pretzel pieces: Offer a delightful crunch with a touch of saltiness, enhancing texture and flavor.
Red & green M&Ms: Burst of chocolate and festive color, making the mix visually irresistible and fun.
White chocolate: The creamy coating that ties everything together, creating that luscious, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Solid vegetable shortening: Helps the white chocolate melt smoothly and sets the coating with a perfect texture.

How to Make Reindeer Chow Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. This ensures your crunchy creation won’t stick and will set perfectly when coated with the white chocolate mixture. Having everything ready makes the process so much smoother!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine the Rice Chex cereal, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels, and M&Ms in a very large bowl. This step is where the magic of texture and flavor combinations begins, so make sure to mix these ingredients well for an even distribution and perfect balance in every bite.

Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate and Shortening

In a separate medium bowl, melt the white chocolate and solid vegetable shortening together in the microwave at half power. Stir every 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. This technique keeps the chocolate from burning and makes it silky enough to coat every piece evenly.

Step 4: Combine and Coat Everything

Pour the luscious melted white chocolate over your dry ingredient mix and toss swiftly but gently to coat everything evenly. The sooner you work here, the better the coverage. Once coated, spread the mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet for cooling.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Place your baking sheet in the refrigerator to allow the white chocolate coating to harden, which usually takes about 20 minutes. Once firm, break up any clumps so you have a perfect snack-size mix ready to enjoy or store.

How to Serve Reindeer Chow Recipe

A clear glass bowl filled with a mix of snacks including golden brown pretzels, square-shaped light tan cereal pieces, pale beige round cereal hoops, creamy white peanuts, and bright red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered throughout. From the top left, white liquid is poured into the bowl, adding a smooth contrast to the vibrant mix. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While the colorful M&Ms already add a festive touch, you can sprinkle a few extra red or green holiday sprinkles on top before chilling for added sparkle and crunch. Toasted coconut flakes or a dusting of powdered sugar can also elevate the appearance and flavor for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Reindeer Chow is perfect as a snack on its own, but it pairs beautifully with warm drinks like hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a creamy latte. It can also complement holiday dessert tables, balancing out heavier sweets with its light crunch and chocolatey coating.

Creative Ways to Present

Get creative by packaging the Reindeer Chow Recipe in festive cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for charming gifts. For parties, serve it in rustic wooden bowls or mason jars, garnished with seasonal greenery or ornaments for an inviting look that guests will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Reindeer Chow can be stored in airtight containers or tins in the refrigerator, keeping it fresh and crunchy for up to four weeks. The cool environment helps maintain the white chocolate coating’s perfect texture without becoming sticky or soft.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this snack on a later date, it freezes beautifully. Use a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw it at room temperature—no reheating necessary since it’s best served crunchy and cold.

Reheating

Generally, reheating isn’t required for the Reindeer Chow Recipe since it’s meant to be eaten at room temperature or chilled. However, if you prefer the white chocolate a bit softer, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds but be careful not to melt the coating completely.

FAQs

Can I use other types of chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! While white chocolate gives Reindeer Chow its signature creamy look and flavor, you can swap it for milk or dark chocolate if you prefer a richer, deeper chocolate taste. Just keep in mind the melting and setting times may vary slightly.

Is it possible to make this recipe nut-free?

Yes, you can omit the peanuts or substitute them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to keep it nut-free while still maintaining that satisfying crunch. Just ensure that any alternative is safe for those with nut allergies.

How can I make the white chocolate coating smoother?

Adding solid vegetable shortening to the melted white chocolate helps it stay silky and smooth, preventing it from becoming clumpy as it cools. Stirring slowly and heating gently also protects the chocolate from burning or seizing.

Can I customize the mix-ins for Reindeer Chow Recipe?

Definitely! While the classic mix of cereals, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms is fantastic, you can experiment by adding dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, or even different colored candies to match your theme or taste preferences.

What’s the best way to keep Reindeer Chow crunchy?

Storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator is key to retaining its crunch. Avoid leaving it exposed to air or humidity, which can make the cereals and pretzels lose their crispness quickly.

Final Thoughts

This Reindeer Chow Recipe is such a joyful and easy treat that really brings the holidays to life with its perfect blend of flavors and textures. I can’t recommend it enough for your next festive gathering or cozy night in. Once you make it, it’s hard not to keep coming back for more. So grab your ingredients, invite some friends over, and make some magical memories with this utterly delicious snack!

Reindeer Chow Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 1 review

Author: Sara
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 15 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This festive Reindeer Chow recipe is a delightful snack mix perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining crunchy cereals, salty peanuts and pretzels, colorful M&Ms, all coated in a sweet white chocolate coating, it’s easy to prepare and irresistibly tasty. Ideal as a party treat or gift, this no-bake snack mix offers a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors wrapped in a fun, colorful presentation.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Cheerios cereal
3 cups peanuts
3 cups pretzel pieces
3 cups red & green M&Ms

Wet Ingredients

20 ounces white chocolate
3½ tablespoons solid vegetable shortening

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Instructions

Prepare the workspace: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and set it aside to use later for cooling the snack mix.
Combine dry ingredients: In a very large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzel pieces, and red & green M&Ms until evenly distributed.
Melt white chocolate: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate and solid vegetable shortening together at 50% power. Stir every 30 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and melted.
Coat the dry mix: Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and quickly toss everything together so the cereal mix is evenly coated with the white chocolate.
Set the mixture: Spread the coated snack mix onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Place it in the refrigerator until the white chocolate has fully set, about 20 minutes.
Store and serve: Break up any large chunks after chilling and transfer the Reindeer Chow to tins or airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Serve as a festive holiday snack.

Notes

Use parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking while the snack cools and hardens.
Stir the chocolate frequently while melting to avoid burning and ensure smoothness.
Add-ins like pretzels and peanuts provide a salty contrast to the sweetness of the white chocolate and M&Ms.
Keep the snack chilled for best texture and freshness.
This recipe is easily doubled or halved depending on servings needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (melting and mixing time)
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American