Santa shouldn’t get all of the treats! This fun and festive reindeer chow is a sweet and salty mix of cereal, pretzels, peanuts and M&Ms.
Snack mixes are so fun and festive during the holidays—not to mention they’re EASY! If you enjoy this recipe, try our Peppermint Snack Mix or Thanksgiving Snack Mix.
A Kid-Friendly Christmas Treat
Growing up my mom would make what she called “reindeer fodder.” It was really similar to this version, only it used almond bark and the mix-ins weren’t exactly the same. It was a delicious no-bake treat nonetheless.
I hadn’t made it with my own kids just yet and knew I needed to give it a go!
This easy, kid-friendly recipe is perfect for little helping hands. They can do just about everything with the exception of heating the chocolate. And trust me when I say they love the result. So delicious and perfect for Christmas time.
Made in Minutes!
It takes all of 18 minutes to make, and that’s being pretty generous. The saltiness of the pretzels and peanuts helps balance out the sweetness of the white chocolate. P.S. I’m not a huge fan of white chocolate, but in this snack mix it’s subtle and buttery tasting.
MIX. All you have to do is combine the cereal, M&Ms, pretzels and peanuts in a large mixing bowl pour the melted chocolate over top and mix until everything is coated.
SET. Pour it onto a lined baking sheet, add a few pinches of festive sprinkles and pop it into the fridge to set.
Variations and Additions
If you don’t have the exact ingredients, you can always use what you have on hand. Sometimes we swap out the Cheerios for Kix and the peanuts for cashews. No matter what you use, it’s bound to be delicious! Here are a few more suggestions:
- Popcorn
- Kettle corn
- Bugles (the chips)
- Multiple kinds of melted chocolate
- Chocolate chips
Melting Chocolate: We wanted to go with white chocolate, which meant that we needed to combine it with some shortening in order for it to melt smoothly. If you would rather omit the shortening then you should use white chocolate melting wafers.
Storing and Packaging
You might want to consider STORING this in the fridge so that the chocolate doesn’t melt everywhere. If your kitchen isn’t overly warm, you can store it on the counter. You can store it in an airtight container or just on a tray. It really depends on what you prefer. It should last 1-2 weeks if it is kept in an airtight container.
How to package for gifts? After letting it solidify in the fridge, break it apart and place it in cellophane bags. You can make it extra cute by tying it close with some seasonal ribbon!
My kids were SO excited to get to try this reindeer chow. It’s full of all of their favorite things! This is such a fun, festive recipe for Christmas, and so easy too!
For more Christmas treats, try:
- Santa’s Cookies
- Homemade Peppermint Bark
- Perfect Roll Out Sugar Cookies
- Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
Reindeer Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cup chex cereal
- 3 cup cheerio cereal
- 2 cup M&Ms - red and green 11.40 oz bag
- 1 cup pretzels - halved sticks or mini twists
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 20 oz white chocolate
- 2 tbsp vegetable shortening
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp festive sprinkles - optional
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper, parchment or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cereal, M&Ms, pretzels, and peanuts. Set aside.
- In a double boiler or in the microwave, melt white chocolate and shortening until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
- Pour chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour over the prepared baking sheet, add sprinkles over top.
- Place in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes before breaking apart into chunks.
The Reindeer Chow was fantastic tasting and easy to make. I made some for my several of my neighbors and kept some for us. It will be a new Christmas tradition in our home. Thanks for posting the recipe!
You are so welcome!! It’s a great neighbor gift!
I am going to try this recipe but when the recipe calls for 2 Tbsp. vegetable shortening is that like the old school Crisco?
Sure is 🙂 Hope you like this recipe!
I have made this for years. I do not use crisco or any type of shortening. I use white almond bark and drizzle a bit at a time, drizzle more each time to mix. It turns out good n delish.
Thank you!
This looks like a great treat for family and friends. And for Game Nights Which I Love to Spend with my Wonderful Family.
It is!! I hope you give it a try 🙂
We have been making this for years without the crisco n the chocolate. Stopped making it because it just to be too much of a headache with the coating all of the goodies. Cannot wait to try it with the crisco – hoping it will make it easier to coat everything. Thanks!
It is super easy! Hope you like it!
Does it matter which flavor of Cheerios you use?
You could really use whatever flavor you like 🙂
Can you replace the white chocolate with almond bark?
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
We love this treat! We use honeycomb cereal and add cinnamon Chex!!
Perfect!! Thank you!
First time making. So easy n delicious
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Glad you gave it a try!
Can this be made in large batches and frozen?
I personally haven’t tried freezing this. Not sure if it would freeze well.
The ultimate snack to enjoy during the holidays! LOVE this simple reindeer chow!
Yummy! My kids are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this recipe!
Aww so glad that my kids could snack on this holiday treat. It was so easy to make and really addicting!
I cut my melted chocolate in half. 20 oz is 2-3/4 packages of almond bark. That’s a lot.
Good thing about recipes..you can change them to your own likes 🙂 Thank you!
Has anyone ever tried using potato chips? I’m gluten free, so I’m curious what I could replace the pretzels with?
I personally haven’t, but that would be a good option!
🤶K my funny reindeer chow story . Followed melting directions for white melting morsels. Looked awful. Didn’t know what to do! My sweet husband suggested adding milk. What a fix! The chow is delicious! And as I finished, 2deer came to investigate and drink from our pond.
Merry CHRISTmas
John3:16
Love that! Thank you for sharing that 🙂
I made this yesterday for my Christmas party at work today so we will see how they like it I tried a little bit and I think it tasted really good
Sure hope they are a hit! Thank you for making them!
Just made this (12/22/20) and I half’d it (due to just me and the hubby and only a couple kids on the block) and after I added the 1/4 tsp. of vanilla to the white choc. chips and shortening (which was smooth and stirring great) it became solid and the ability to stir was reduced greatly, became very lumpy and was difficult to stir into the cereal, M&Ms, etc….what did I do wrong??
Hmm..that’s a good question?! The vanilla shouldn’t have done that. I haven’t had that issue before. I am stumped, I’m sorry!
Yvonne…that happened to me too. I melted more chocolate and omitted the vanilla and crisco, and it was fine. I used white almond bark. So delicious!!