Hot Chocolate Snack Mix channels cozy hot cocoa vibes with chocolate-coated Chex®, a hot cocoa blend, white chocolate marshmallows, and chocolate chips!
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
My kids are obsessed with Muddy Buddies, and while I’ll never get sick of them, I like coming up with fun variations to switch things up occasionally. This fun blend is inspired by a cup of hot chocolate; in fact, I even use a packet of hot chocolate mix to coat the cereal in!
This snack mix is ridiculously easy and it can be ready to serve in no time at all. It makes the perfect treat to share and great for holiday events or gatherings.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Chex Cereal: Use fresh cereal for maximum crispness.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps coat the cereal evenly.
- Hot Cocoa Mix: Use a mix with marshmallows for extra fun and flavor.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: Choose high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Ensures the chocolate melts smoothly and gives a glossy finish.
- White Chocolate Chips: Melts into a creamy coating for the marshmallows.
- Mini Marshmallows: Adds a chewy, sweet contrast to the crunchy mix.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
- Prep: Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put cereal in a large bowl and mix powdered sugar with hot cocoa in a bag.
- Coat Cereal: Melt milk chocolate with oil, pour over cereal, and stir until coated. Shake the cereal in the bag with the sugar mix to cover it.
- Make Marshmallows: Melt white chocolate with oil, mix with marshmallows, and spread on the baking sheet to cool.
- Combine: Mix the cereal, marshmallows, and any extra add-ins in a big bowl.
- Enjoy or Save: Eat right away or keep in an airtight container.
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix Tips
- Pick good-quality chocolate chips like Ghirardelli® or Guittard® for smoother melting and better flavor.
- Melt chocolate in glass bowls, not plastic ones.
- Use fresh, soft marshmallows for the best texture.
- Make it less sweet by using semi-sweet or dark chocolate and swapping Chocolate Chex for Rice Chex.
Favorite Additions
White chocolate marshmallows pair perfectly with cocoa cereal, but here are some fun ways to jazz up this mix:
- Add in 1/2 cup dehydrated marshmallows.
- Add in 1 cup of Sno-Cap® candies or Chocolate Nonpareils.
- Coarsely break up Pirouette® cookies and add 1 cup to the mix.
- Add in 1 cup miniature chocolate chips (Here’s how the mix looks with these added in).
Storage
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix Storage
Keep in an airtight container (like Mason jars or Weck® jars) in a cool, dry place for up to a week. It’s best within 1-2 days.
Freeze leftovers (without marshmallows) in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature before eating.
More Christmas Treats
- Christmas Snack Mix with Christmas M&M’s
- Toffee with sugared almonds
- Christmas Oreo Pops four different variations
- Honeycomb Candy with chocolate coating
- Brigadeiros fudgy chocolate truffles
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix is inspired by our favorite chilly weather beverage — hot chocolate! Chocolate Chex cereal is coated in melted chocolate and tossed with a hot cocoa-powdered sugar blend. Add in some white-chocolate covered marshmallows and chocolate chips for an unforgettable snack mix!
Ingredients
Snack Mix
- 8 cups Chocolate Chex cereal
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup hot cocoa mix (with marshmallows) (~1 and 1/2 packets)
- 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
White Chocolate Marshmallows
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- Optional additions: 1/2 cup dehydrated marshmallows, 1 cup Sno-Cap candies, 1 cup coarsely broken up pirouette cookies
Instructions
- PREP: Line a large sheet pan with a Silpat liner or parchment paper and set aside. Set out a large (2-gallon) freezer bag and a very large bowl.
- CEREAL: Measure out the cereal into the large bowl and set aside.
- HOT COCOA AND POWDERED SUGAR: In a small bowl, add the hot cocoa mix and powdered sugar. Stir to combine. Pour into the prepared freezer bag.
- CHOCOLATE: In medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the milk chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Microwave, in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds, or until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Once fully melted and smooth, pour over the measured cereal. Gently stir to generously coat the cereal in the melted chocolate.
- COAT CEREAL: Pour cereal into the bag on top of the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix. Seal the bag (do not squeeze air out of the bag) and then shake to coat the cereal in the mix. Once cereal is generously coated, pour back into a large bowl or serving bowl. Set aside.
- WHITE-CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOWS: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Melt, in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds, or until white chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Stir the marshmallows into the white chocolate until marshmallows are well coated. Spread out the marshmallows onto the prepared pan. Put the pan in the fridge or freezer for about 10 minutes or let the tray stand at room temperature for 30 minutes until chocolate is set. Gently break apart and add to the serving bowl.
- FINISH MIX: If desired, add any other toppings such as the dehydrated marshmallows, Sno-Cap candies, or broken up pirouette cookies.
Video
Recipe Notes
Storage: Because of the marshmallows in this mix, it is best enjoyed the same day it is made. Without the marshmallows, it can last up to a week stored at room temperature in air-tight containers. Leftover snack mix can be frozen in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.
Nutritional information is for approximately one-cup servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 1091kcal | Carbohydrates: 238g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1205mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 24g | Sugar: 89g | Vitamin A: 2021IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 460mg | Iron: 58mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
