Introduction

This festive Reindeer Food Recipe is a delightful mix of sweet and salty snacks coated in a rich peanut butter chocolate glaze. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun treat to leave out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve.

A close-up view of a snack mix in a white bowl filled with multiple layers: the base layer consists of small, irregular-shaped pieces coated thickly in white powdered sugar, creating a rough and powdery texture; scattered on top are shiny red, green, and dark red candy-coated chocolates, adding bright, smooth, and glossy spots of color; mixed throughout are small peanut butter cups with a ribbed outer edge and smooth tops, showing a rich brown color and a solid texture, some standing upright while others lie on their sides. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
1 cup mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex cereal and broken pretzel pieces.
Step 2: Melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips together, either on the stovetop in a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the melted peanut butter and chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzels, then stir carefully to coat everything evenly.
Step 4: Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes, until it just starts to set.
Step 5: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. In a separate large bowl, sprinkle ½ cup of powdered sugar on the bottom. Add half of the chilled mixture to the bowl, then sprinkle another ½ cup of powdered sugar over it. Add the remaining cereal mixture on top followed by the rest of the powdered sugar.
Step 6: Gently stir and toss the mixture until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed, coating the cereal and pretzels.
Step 7: Chill the coated mixture again for 30 to 60 minutes until it sets firmly.
Step 8: If needed, add additional powdered sugar ¼ cup at a time, stirring gently to achieve your desired coating.
Step 9: Stir in the red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups until they are evenly mixed through.
Step 10: Transfer the finished mixture to a serving bowl and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter and omit the peanut butter cups.
Try using white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier coating instead of dark or semisweet chocolate.
Double the recipe to share with neighbors or for larger holiday parties.

Storage

Store the reindeer food in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keep it away from heat and moisture to maintain the crispness of the cereal and pretzels. If the coating softens, a brief chill in the refrigerator can help firm it back up before serving.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with three main layers: the bottom layer is small pretzels with a smooth, golden brown texture, the middle layer is a mix of powdered sugar-coated crunchy pieces in light grayish white with rough edges, and the top layer is scattered red and green candy-coated chocolates along with mini chocolate peanut butter cups that are dark brown with a ridged pattern on the sides. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a soft, purple cloth near its back. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the mixture a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure to keep it dry and cool to preserve the texture.

Can I use regular pretzels instead of mini pretzels?

Yes, regular pretzels can be broken into smaller pieces and used in place of mini pretzels. This will maintain the balance of salty crunch in the mix.

Reindeer Food Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 145 reviews

This festive Reindeer Food recipe combines crunchy Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, and colorful M&Ms with a rich blend of melted peanut butter and chocolate. Coated in powdered sugar for a sweet finish, it makes a perfect holiday snack mix that’s easy to prepare and delightful to share during Christmas celebrations.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (melting and chilling time not including refrigeration periods)
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: About 8 cups 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 ½ cups mini pretzels broken into pieces
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
1 cup mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex cereal and broken pretzel pieces to prepare the crunchy base for the mix.
Melt Peanut Butter and Chocolate: Melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips together either on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth and combined.
Mix Chocolate Mixture with Cereal: Pour the melted peanut butter and chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzel mixture, then stir well to evenly coat the cereal and pretzels.
Initial Chill: Place the coated mixture into the refrigerator and chill until it just begins to set, about 30 minutes. This helps the coating firm up slightly for easier handling.
Prepare Powdered Sugar Coating: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. In a separate large bowl, put ½ cup of powdered sugar on the bottom. Add half of the chilled cereal mixture, then another ½ cup powdered sugar, followed by the remaining half of the cereal mixture.
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Gently stir and toss the mixture until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed and the cereal is coated nicely, giving it a sweet and snowy finish.
Second Chill: Return the mixture to the refrigerator and chill again until set, approximately 30 to 60 minutes, to allow the coating to solidify properly.
Additional Powdered Sugar Coating: Gradually add more powdered sugar, about ¼ cup at a time, stirring to ensure the cereal and pretzels are fully coated, enhancing sweetness and texture.
Add M&Ms and Peanut Butter Cups: Mix in the red and green M&Ms along with the mini peanut butter cups, folding them gently to distribute evenly throughout the snack mix.
Serve and Store: Transfer the finished Reindeer Food to a serving bowl and enjoy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

Use creamy peanut butter for easy melting and smooth coating.
Ensure the cereal mixture is well chilled before coating with powdered sugar for best results.
Feel free to substitute M&Ms with other holiday candies or chocolate pieces.
Store in an airtight container to keep the snack mix fresh and crunchy.
This recipe is perfect for holiday parties or as a fun, festive snack for kids.

Keywords: holiday snack, Christmas recipe, Reindeer Food snack mix, peanut butter and chocolate snack, festive treat, holiday party food, easy no-cook recipe