Reindeer Chow is a sweet, crunchy chocolate peanut butter snack mix that’s easy to throw together and seriously hard to stop snacking on.
Author’s Notes
Reindeer Chow Is A Whole Thing At Our House
Muddy Buddies (or Puppy Chow) is hands down one of my kids’ favorite treats. They’d eat it every week if I let them, and honestly, I’m right there with them. It’s one of my favorite no-bake treats too, right up there with my Tiger Butter Fudge.
So if there’s ever an excuse to jazz it up for Christmas, it’s happening at my house!
We’ve started a little tradition where, along with making Santa Cookies on Christmas Eve, we also whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow to set out for the hungry reindeer. I’m pretty sure my kids eat more than what actually makes it into the bowl for the reindeer, but it’s become one of our favorite Christmas traditions.
Ingredients In Reindeer Chow
| Ingredient | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Rice Chex cereal | Use fresh, crisp cereal so the coating sticks well and stays crunchy. |
| Peanut butter & butter | Smooth peanut butter melts easiest and coats the cereal evenly. Avoid no-stir and natural varieties. |
| Chocolate chips | Melt gently and stop heating when mostly melted to avoid seizing. |
| Powdered sugar | Shake in a large bag for the quickest, most even coating. |
| Holiday M&M’s & Reese’s Minis | Add once the cereal is fully cooled so they stay whole and don’t melt. |
How To Make Reindeer Chow
- Get Cereal Ready: Pour cereal into a big bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: In another bowl, add peanut butter, chocolate, and butter.
- Melt: Microwave in short bursts, stirring until it’s smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Coat Cereal: Pour the melted mixture over the cereal, stirring until everything’s coated.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Put half of the coated cereal in a bag, add powdered sugar, and shake. Do the same with the rest.
- Add Toppings: Pour the mix into a bowl and add any toppings you like. Enjoy!
Storage
How To Store Reindeer Chow
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, though it’s best within 3 to 4 days.
Try Freezing It! Reindeer Chow freezes well and tastes great straight from the freezer, which is actually my favorite way to enjoy it! Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
More Holiday Treats:
Quick And Easy
Christmas Snack Mix
Desserts
Buckeye Candy Recipe
Christmas
Christmas Popcorn
Desserts
Avalanche Cookies (No Baking!)
Reindeer Chow
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter like Skippy
- 1 cup chocolate chips milk or semi-sweet, I like Guittard or Ghirardelli
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 bag (12 ounces) holiday M&M’s can use peanut butter or peanut M&M’s for extra peanut butter!
- 2 cups Reese’s minis
Instructions
- Add the cereal to a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring for 15 seconds in between, until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until every piece is coated. Add half the coated cereal to a gallon-size resealable bag with half the powdered sugar. Seal and shake until covered. Repeat with the remaining cereal and sugar.
- Spread the coated cereal into a large bowl and stir in the M&M’s and Reese’s Minis.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Variations
Switch Things Up!
- Reindeer Chow without peanut butter: Use white chocolate chips in place of the peanut butter and swap the mini peanut butter cups for another small chocolate candy like Whoppers or mini marshmallows.
- Make it salty: Add mini pretzel twists for a salty crunch.
- Change the chocolate: I love milk chocolate in Reindeer Chow, but you can use any chocolate you like like semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
Serving Reindeer Chow
- How To Serve: Pour into a big festive bowl, set out with cookies and hot chocolate, or scoop into small cups or jars for easy snacking.
- How To Gift: Fill cellophane bags with a ribbon, pack into mason jars with a simple tag, or add a small bag to holiday cookie boxes.
- How To Package: Use clear treat bags, add a kraft tag with the name and date, and keep portions small so everything stays crisp and fresh.
Delicious and disappears wherever I
Bring it!
Yay! I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Lee-Ann!
reindeer chow is awesome!!! could be used for most Holidays, m&m’s come in all Holiday colors, you could also use white mini peanut butter cups, or both, I love this, everyone did!!!
Yes! So thrilled you guys enjoyed this! Thanks Ann!
Looks yummy!!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Great recipe made a bunch for Christmas everyone Loved it. Thank You
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Emily! 🙂
How long does this last? Cheers
It can last up to 3 weeks if it’s properly sealed! Leave out the candy add-ins and it will store in your freezer for months!
This is easy to make. Also pretty and very tasty. Choose your favorite candy brake up cookies yum try it have fun merry Christmas
Thanks Donna! 🙂
fun to serve, even make, thank you!