This Christmas Chex Mix is the ultimate sweet-and-salty holiday snack that's impossible to resist! Loaded with chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and festive candies, it's quick to make, easy to share, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any holiday party.
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Recently, I've loved sharing so many tasty Christmas Recipes! From Cornflake Wreath Cookies, Christmas Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cookie Tree, and my favorite Gingerbread Men Cookies, but I couldn't let the holiday pass without a classic Chex Mix Muddy Buddy recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes with just a few simple steps.
- Perfectly Festive: Holiday M&Ms and sprinkles make this mix pop with Christmas color and cheer.
- Sweet & Salty Balance: The combo of peanut butter, chocolate, and cereal is snack perfection.
- Great for Gifting: Package in jars or bags for the easiest homemade holiday treat.
Muddy Buddy, Puppy Chow, or Reindeer Chow?
These are all the same thing except that Reindeer Chow is reserved for Christmas, with added Christmas candies and sprinkles. In contrast, Chex Mix Muddy Buddies/Puppy Chow is the basic recipe with just cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar.
What This Recipe Needs
- Chex Cereal: The crunchy base that soaks up all the chocolatey goodness.
- Chocolate Chips: Melt into a smooth coating for rich, sweet flavor.
- Peanut Butter: Adds creaminess and that classic muddy buddy taste.
- Butter: Helps everything melt and mix together beautifully.
- Powdered Sugar: Coats the mix for a snowy, sweet finish.
- Holiday M&Ms and Sprinkles: Bring the Christmas magic with color and crunch.
Substitutions
- Nut-Free: Use sunflower butter or cookie butter instead of peanut butter.
- Chocolate: Try white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a new flavor twist.
- Cereal: Swap Chex for Crispix or Life cereal for a slightly different texture.
Looking for more cereal-inspired recipes? Check out my Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars, Cocoa Puffs Bars, Fruit Loops Bars, Rice Crispies Bars, Lucky Charms Cookies, and Golden Graham S'mores Bars!
How to Make Christmas Chex Mix?
- Step 1: Microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter at 50% power in 30-second intervals. Stir after 30 seconds, then repeat until entirely melted. Then stir in vanilla.
- Step 2: Layer the chocolate mixture and cereal, pouring half of each into a bowl, then repeat with the remaining chocolate and cereal. Stir until all the cereal is coated.
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- Step 3: Pour half the cereal and half the powdered sugar into a large zip-lock bag, then shake until the cereal is thoroughly coated. Remove cereal from the bag (put into a serving bowl) and repeat with the remaining cereal.
- Step 4: Stir in any additional candies or sprinkles and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Don't Overheat the Chocolate: Melt slowly to avoid clumping or burning. If you don't want to use a microwave, heat everything in a saucepan over medium/low heat until melted and smooth.
- Shake Gently: Coat with powdered sugar in small batches for even coverage.
- Cool Before Storing: Let the mix fully cool so it stays crisp, not soggy.
- Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days-perfect for prepping before parties!
Variations
- Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes and chopped Peppermint Bark for a cool, minty flavor.
- Snowman Mix: Toss in pretzels, orange carrots sprinkles, and mini marshmallows for a snowman party blend.
- White Christmas Mix: Use white chocolate and red-green sprinkles for a snowy look.
- Popcorn: Stir in freshly popped Holiday Popcorn, Caramel Corn, or Chocolate-Covered Popcorn for extra tasty bites!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover Christmas Chex Mix in an airtight container for up to two weeks. You can store at room temp or in the refrigerator if it is warm in your house.
Yes! Yes! Store in freezer bags for up to a month, just thaw before serving.
It stays fresh for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Absolutely, use almond butter, or cookie butter.
Make sure the cereal cools completely before storing, it keeps everything crunchy.
More Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, check out my Christmas Hot Cocoa Bombs, Christmas Rice Crispy Treats, Christmas Cake Pops, and these fun Holiday Oreo Balls!
If you like this recipe, make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!
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Christmas Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 7 cups Rice Chex Mix cereal
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- ¼ cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 cup Holiday Candies Optional: I used Red and Green M&Ms and Mini Reese's Cups
- 1 cup Pretzel Pieces Optional
Instructions
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter, ¼ cup Unsalted Butter
- Microwave at 50% power for one minute, stir, microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, stir, and then repeat in 30-second intervals until fully melted and smooth. *
- Once melted, stir in the vanilla.1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pour half of the chocolate mixture into a large bowl, then half of the cereal, then the remaining half of the chocolate, and the remaining cereal. Gently stir until all the cereal is evenly coated.7 cups Rice Chex Mix cereal
- Pour half of the chocolate-covered cereal into a Ziploc baggie, then add half of the powdered sugar. Close the Ziploc bag and shake until the cereal is fully covered in the powdered sugar. Empty into a bowl, then repeat with the remaining cereal and powdered sugar.2 cups Powdered Sugar
- Pour everything into a serving bowl and enjoy! If adding holiday candy and pretzel pieces, stir them in after you cover the cereal in powdered sugar.1 cup Holiday Candies, 1 cup Pretzel Pieces
Notes
- *Microwaving at 50% power helps melt the chocolate without burning it and making it clumpy. You could heat everything in a saucepan over medium/low heat until melted if you didn't want to use a microwave.
- Storage: Store leftover muddy buddies in an airtight container for up to two weeks. You can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator if it is warm in your house. Freeze for up to 2 months in an air-tight container.
- Variations: Try adding popcorn, using white chocolate, or adding sprinkles!
Lisa says
Love this recipe! So tasty and easy to make!