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Reindeer Chow is an easy no bake Christmas recipe. It’s a sweet and crunchy holiday treat that’s perfect for gifting or snacking. Simple to make with Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and some delicious mix-ins like pretzels, m&m’s, and marshmallows. Every bite is festive and addictive!

For another cute & festive Christmas treat – reindeer themed – be sure and also make my Easy Reindeer Cookies.

Close up of the snack mix with muddy buddy chex cereal

Festive Reindeer Chow Recipe (Reindeer Food)

This reindeer chow reminds me of the classic Muddy Buddy Chex Mix (also called Puppy Chow) – Chex cereal gets coated in melted chocolate + peanut butter, and then coated in sweet powdered sugar.

This festive reindeer version also has some added goodies in it such as red & green colored m&m candies, mini pretzels, and mini marshmallows. Perfect to have around in a big bowl for family and friends to munch on during a holiday party, gathering, or holiday potluck.

There are so many delicious versions of muddy buddy mix – like this Andes Mints Muddy Buddy Chex Mix, the holiday favorite gooey Christmas Chex Mix, or Funfetti Chex Mix that can easily be switched out to use red & green sprinkles in it.

Ingredients Needed To Make It

Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers : These are from the Ghirardelli brand and they come in a purple bag that is 10 ounces. You can find them in the baking aisle alongside the chocolate baking bars and chocolate chips.
Creamy Peanut Butter
Salted Butter
Rice Chex Cereal
Powdered Sugar
Mini Pretzels
Christmas M&M’s : These are the holiday mix with red and green m&m’s.
Mini Marshmallows

How To Make Reindeer Puppy Chow (Full Printable Recipe Card)

Add the melting wafers, peanut butter, and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until all the chocolate is melted and it’s a smooth mixture.

Immediately stir the rice Chex cereal into the melted chocolate mixture and stir until all the cereal pieces are well-coated.

Add half of the powdered sugar (1.5 cups) to a gallon-sized Ziplock bag, then pour in the cream mixture and add the remaining powdered sugar (1.5 cups) on top. Seal the bag tightly and make sure it’s securely zipped and shake until all the cereal is well coated with powdered sugar.

Transfer the cereal to a baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set and harden; about 30 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the set and cooled cereal mixture, mini pretzels, M&M’s, and mini marshmallows. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How To Store Leftover Christmas Puppy Chow

The reindeer puppy chow should be stored in a large Ziplock bag, or airtight container, for up to 1 peel at room temperature. This holiday treat is best enjoyed fresh, immediately after making it. Of course leftovers are fabulous, but for the best texture and crunch I do recommend enjoying it soon after making it.

Substitutions & Ingredient Notes

Chocolate Melting Wafers : I use the purple 10 ounce bag from the Ghirardelli brand (found near the chocolate chips) but another option would be chocolate flavored almond bark, you could use brown chocolate candy melts if needed – but for the best smooth texture, smooth melt, and taste – I highly recommend using the milk chocolate melting wafers. Dark chocolate melting wafers could also be used if you prefer.
Peanut Butter : Almond butter, wow butter, and soy butter are all nut-free options.
Rice Chex Cereal : Corn Chex is a suitable substitute if needed.
Mini Pretzels : Pretzel sticks or pretzel snaps are other choices. Or up the chocolate factor and use chocolate covered pretzels.
Christmas M&M’s : The Christmas mix peanut butter m&m’s, the peanut m&m’s, or another Christmas color holiday m&m variety can all be used. You could even replace half of the m&m’s with miniature peanut butter cups if wanted.

Serving Suggestions

This treat makes a great snack during the holiday season! It’s just like classic puppy chow (also called muddy buddies) but with a fun and delicious holiday twist. This is also a great snack mix for a holiday movie night or during holiday parties.

It also makes a great give away edible gift treat as well. Place some of the reminder puppy chow in a mason jar, or metal tin, and tie it with some Christmas ribbon.

Recipe FAQs

Do I Have To Use The Microwave To Melt The Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mixture?

Using the microwave is the easiest way to melt the chocolate mixture, however, you could also use the double broiler method on the stove top if needed. The double-broiler method involves filling a pot 1/4 to 1/2 full with water, and placing a glass or stainless steel bowl on top (like nestled into the pot slightly, so it needs to be a similar sized bowl to the pot) of the pot. Turn the heat to medium-high and pour the melting wafers, peanut butter, and butter into the glass bowl on top. As soon as the chocolate melts and it’s a smooth mixture, take it off the heat to avoid scorching it.

Can I Add Nuts?

Yes of course, adding some chopped nuts is a great addition to this Christmas Chex mix. Peanut, pecans, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate covered almonds, cashews, almonds are all great choices. Leave them whole or chop them up small.

Is This Christmas Muddy Buddy Treat Allergy-Friendly?

The recipe is gluten-free but not dairy-free or nut-free. You can replace the peanut butter with a nut-free butter which would make it nut-free. Not sure you can make it dairy-free as you need the chocolate in the recipe.

More Holiday Treats You’ll Love

Reindeer Chow

Author Jessica – Together as Family

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Set Time 30

Total Time 47

Reindeer Chow is an easy no bake Christmas recipe. It'is a sweet and crunchy holiday treat that's perfect for gifting or snacking. Simple to make with Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and some delicious mix-ins like pretzels, m&m's, and marshmallows. Every bite is festive and addictive!

Equipment

Melting Wafers

Microwave-Safe Glass Bowls

Ingredients

▢ 1 bag (10 oz) milk chocolate melting wafers (Ghirardelli brand)
▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter
▢ 4 tablespoons salted butter
▢ 1 box (12 oz) Rice Chex cereal
▢ 3 cups powdered sugar
▢ 2 cups mini pretzels
▢ 2 cups Christmas M&M's
▢ 2 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions

Add the melting wafers, peanut butter, and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until all the chocolate is melted and it's a smooth mixture.
1 bag (10 oz) milk chocolate melting wafers, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 4 tablespoons salted butter
Immediately stir the rice Chex cereal into the melted chocolate mixture and stir until all the cereal pieces are well-coated.
1 box (12 oz) Rice Chex cereal
Add half of the powdered sugar (1½ cups) to a gallon-sized Ziplock bag, then pour in the cereal mixture and add the remaining powdered sugar (1½ cups) on top. Seal the bag tightly and make sure it's securely zipped and shake until all the cereal is well coated with powdered sugar.
3 cups powdered sugar
Transfer the cereal to a baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set and harden; about 30 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the set and cooled cereal mixture, mini pretzels, M&M's, and mini marshmallows. Serve immediately and enjoy!
2 cups mini pretzels, 2 cups Christmas M&M's, 2 cups mini marshmallows

Notes

Chocolate Melting Wafers : I use the purple 10 ounce bag from the Ghirardelli brand (found near the chocolate chips) but another option would be chocolate flavored almond bark, you could use brown chocolate candy melts if needed – but for the best smooth texture, smooth melt, and taste – I highly recommend using the milk chocolate melting wafers. Dark chocolate melting wafers could also be used if you prefer.
Peanut Butter : Almond butter, wow butter, and soy butter are all nut-free options.
Rice Chex Cereal : Corn Chex is a suitable substitute if needed.
Mini Pretzels : Pretzel sticks or pretzel snaps are other choices. Or up the chocolate factor and use chocolate covered pretzels.
Christmas M&M’s : The Christmas mix peanut butter m&m’s, the peanut m&m’s, or another Christmas color holiday m&m variety can all be used. You could even replace half of the m&m’s with miniature peanut butter cups if wanted.

Nutrition

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