If the holidays had a signature snack, Reindeer Chow would absolutely be wearing the crown—and probably a Santa hat too. 🎄 This sweet-and-salty classic is everything busy home cooks crave: fast, festive, totally addictive, and guaranteed to disappear faster than wrapping paper on Christmas morning.
Whether you’re juggling school parties, office potlucks, or just need something magical to munch on while watching holiday movies, Reindeer Chow checks all the boxes. It’s no-bake, stress-free, and comes together with pantry staples you already love. And best of all? Kids, adults, neighbors, and even that picky aunt all agree—it’s dangerously good.
Pull up a chair, grab a big bowl, and let me (Chef Omar!) show you how this cheerful holiday snack became a PulseRecipes favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Reindeer Chow
Let’s be real—December is busy. Between gift shopping, decorating, and trying to remember where you hid the tape last year, complicated recipes are a no-go. That’s where Reindeer Chow saves the day.
Here’s why it’s a holiday hero:
- No baking required (your oven deserves a break)
- Sweet + salty perfection in every bite
- Customizable for allergies, preferences, or snack emergencies
- Perfect for gifting, parties, or sneaking handfuls straight from the container
I first made this years ago when friends dropped by unexpectedly with kids in tow. Twenty minutes later, the bowl was empty—and I was suddenly “the snack guy.” No regrets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the beauty of Reindeer Chow: it’s flexible. You can mix and match, but this combo hits that perfect festive balance.
Dry Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal (corn, rice, or a mix)
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup roasted, lightly salted peanuts
Chocolatey Goodness
- 1¼ cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or white—dealer’s choice)
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Flavor Boosters
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
The Snowy Finish
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (plus more if needed)
Festive Add-Ins
- 1 (12-ounce) bag red and green chocolate M&M’s
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
How to Make Reindeer Chow (Step-by-Step)
No culinary degree required here. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be snacking in no time.
Step 1: Prep the Crunch
Grab your biggest mixing bowl. Combine the Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts. Give it a gentle toss so everything’s evenly mixed. This is your crunchy canvas.
Step 2: Melt the Magic
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each round, until smooth and glossy.
Once melted, stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
(Pro tip: If it looks like a chocolate lava pool, you’re doing it right.)
Step 3: Coat Everything
Pour that warm chocolate mixture over your dry ingredients. Use a spatula and fold gently until every piece is coated. Take your time—this is where the flavor magic happens.
Step 4: Powdered Sugar Shake
Add powdered sugar to a large resealable bag. Carefully scoop the coated mix into the bag, seal it, and shake like you’re dancing to holiday music.
If it still looks sticky, add a little more powdered sugar and shake again.
Step 5: Cool It Down
Spread the mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it cool and set for about 20 minutes. This helps everything firm up without clumping.
Step 6: Finish Strong
Once cooled, stir in the red and green M&M’s and mini peanut butter cups. Now it officially looks like Christmas in snack form.
Serve immediately or store for later—if it lasts that long.
Chef Omar’s Holiday Cooking Tips
- Chocolate acting stubborn? Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to smooth it out.
- Too sweet for your taste? Toss in extra pretzels or peanuts to balance things.
- Kids helping? Let them handle the powdered sugar shaking. It’s messy—but fun messy.
- Make it early: Reindeer Chow actually tastes better after sitting a few hours.
And if your mix looks a little wild at first, don’t worry. Like holiday decorations, it all comes together beautifully in the end.
A Little Story from My Kitchen
This recipe became a tradition after one December where I made three batches in one day. One for neighbors, one for a school party, and one that somehow vanished before I could label it. Since then, Reindeer Chow has been my go-to when I need something fast that still feels special.
Every time I make it, my kitchen smells like chocolate and vanilla—and suddenly everyone is “just stopping by.” Funny how that works.
FAQs About Reindeer Chow
Can I make Reindeer Chow without peanut butter?
Absolutely. Swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or cookie butter. The texture stays creamy, and it’s allergy-friendly.
How long does Reindeer Chow last?
Stored in an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to 7 days at room temperature—or longer in the fridge.
Can I freeze Reindeer Chow?
Yes! Freeze it in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw at room temp before serving.
Can I use white chocolate instead?
Definitely. White chocolate makes it extra festive and sweet—especially with red and green candies.
Is Reindeer Chow the same as Puppy Chow?
They’re cousins! Reindeer Chow leans into holiday colors and mix-ins, while Puppy Chow is the everyday classic.
Let’s Make Your Holidays Sweeter
There’s something joyful about recipes like Reindeer Chow—they don’t demand perfection, fancy tools, or hours in the kitchen. They just ask you to have fun, get a little messy, and share something delicious with people you love.
So whether you’re packaging this up as edible gifts, serving it at a holiday gathering, or sneaking a handful after bedtime (no judgment here), this Reindeer Chow is here to make the season brighter.
From my kitchen to yours—happy holidays, happy snacking, and as always, happy cooking!
Keep the Holiday Sweetness Going
If you’re anything like me, once the Reindeer Chow bowl is empty, you’re already wondering “Okay… what’s next?” Good news—you don’t have to stop the holiday fun here. These festive favorites are perfect for rounding out your dessert table, gifting to neighbors, or sneaking a little extra joy into your evenings. Think of them as Reindeer Chow’s equally irresistible holiday friends:
- Craving another cozy, snowy-style treat? These snowball cookies that melt in your mouth are a classic for a reason—and they pair perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa.
- Love that sweet-and-salty crunch you just enjoyed? You’ll fall hard for this Christmas crack everyone warns you about (because it’s addictive). Make once, crave forever.
- Want something festive without turning on the oven? These no-bake Christmas cheesecake bites are creamy, elegant, and ridiculously easy.
- Looking to wow kids (and grown-ups who act like kids)? These cheerful Grinch mini cheesecakes bring instant smiles and major holiday personality.
Bookmark a few, mix and match, and build yourself the kind of holiday dessert spread that makes people “just happen” to stop by.
From my kitchen to yours—let the festive snacking continue!
Reindeer Chow
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Reindeer Chow is a festive, no-bake holiday snack mix made with crunchy Chex cereal, pretzels, chocolate, peanut butter, and colorful Christmas candies. Sweet, salty, and irresistibly addictive, it’s perfect for parties, gifting, or cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
8 cups Chex cereal (corn, rice, or a mix)
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1¼ cups semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups powdered sugar (plus more if needed)
1 (12-ounce) bag red and green chocolate M&M’s
1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Stir vanilla extract and salt into the melted mixture.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and gently toss until evenly coated.
Add powdered sugar to a large resealable bag. Transfer the coated mix into the bag, seal, and shake until fully covered. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let set for 20 minutes.
Once cooled, gently stir in M&M’s and mini peanut butter cups.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
For nut-free versions, substitute sunflower seed butter and nut-free candies.
White chocolate creates an extra festive look.
Perfect for gifting—just portion into holiday bags or jars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg