If you’re looking for a fun, festive snack that’s as easy to make as it is delicious, you’re in the right place. This Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe is my go-to holiday treat because it hits all the right notes: sweet, salty, crunchy, and completely addictive. Whether you’re making it for a party, a cozy night by the fire, or a gift in a jar, you’ll find that this recipe feels like holiday magic in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Holiday Snack: It’s a festive and colorful mix that kids and adults love alike.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples you probably already have around.
- Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this — it disappears fast at holiday gatherings.
- No-Bake Convenience: No oven required, so you can whip this up quickly even on busy days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe lies in the balance of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy elements like cereal and pretzels. I recommend using good quality chips and fresh pretzels for the best taste and crunch. Plus, the powdered sugar gives it that snow-dusted festive look that’s so fun to serve during the holidays.
- Semisweet or dark chocolate chips: I prefer dark or semi-sweet because it keeps the sweetness balanced without being too sugary.
- Creamy peanut butter: Smooth peanut butter blends perfectly—chunky can make mixing tricky.
- Rice Chex cereal: The classic base for puppy chow; it holds up well without getting soggy.
- Mini pretzels: Broken pretzels add that salty crunch and festive texture.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for coating the mixture and giving it that signature snowy look.
- Red and green M&Ms: These add festive color and chewiness that screams Christmas.
- Mini peanut butter cups: A delicious bonus that amps up the peanut butter flavor and fun.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Depending on your pantry or dietary preferences, you can customize it in fun ways that still keep all the charm and flavor.
- Nut-free option: I swapped peanut butter for sunflower seed butter once when I had guests with allergies, and it turned out just as tasty!
- Extra festive mix-ins: Try adding crushed candy canes or white chocolate chips for a peppermint twist.
- Less sweet version: Use 70% dark chocolate and skip the mini peanut butter cups for a more balanced, richer treat.
How to Make Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe
Step 1: Mix the base crunchy ingredients
Start by combining the Rice Chex cereal and broken mini pretzels in a large bowl. This combo gives the perfect mix of neutral crunch with just enough saltiness to balance the sweet coating later. Make sure your pretzels are broken into bite-sized pieces so every handful has a little extra crunch.
Step 2: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter
Next, melt together the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. I usually do this in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each, until silky smooth. You can also melt them on the stovetop over low heat—either way works beautifully. This is where the magic starts to come together!
Step 3: Combine, chill, and coat with powdered sugar
Pour that luscious peanut butter-chocolate mixture over your cereal and pretzel bowl and gently stir to coat everything evenly. Then pop the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up slightly—this tip really helps the next step go smoothly.
After chilling, transfer half the mixture to a clean large bowl with half a cup of powdered sugar on the bottom. Layer half the mixture, add another half cup powdered sugar, then top with the remaining cereal mixture. Gently toss everything together until the pieces are evenly coated. Chill once more for 30-60 minutes to set. You can add more powdered sugar by the ¼ cup if you want that extra snowy, festive look.
Step 4: Add your festive candies and enjoy!
Finally, stir in the red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups for that colorful Christmas flair and extra bursts of flavor. Transfer to a serving bowl, and you’re ready to wow your guests (or just snack all day yourself — no judgment here!).
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe
- Use fresh pretzels: I learned that stale pretzels make the mix soggy fast, so always go for fresh for the best crunch.
- Chill before coating: Letting the peanut butter-chocolate blend set a bit helps the powdered sugar stick better—trust me, this little step is a game-changer.
- Gentle stirring: Stir carefully to avoid breaking the cereal pieces but still getting an even coat.
- Add candies last: Wait until the very end to add M&Ms and peanut butter cups so they don’t melt or get crushed.
How to Serve Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love to sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving to get that fresh snow-dusted look. Sometimes I add a few extra decorative holiday sprinkles or festive edible glitter for a party—it instantly elevates the rustic bowl of chow into a centerpiece snack.
Side Dishes
This Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe pairs wonderfully with hot cocoa or a rich eggnog for a truly indulgent holiday snack table. I also like to keep it alongside savory cheese and charcuterie plates—it’s the perfect sweet counterpoint!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve served this puppy chow in cute holiday-themed mason jars tied with ribbon as edible gifts. Another fun idea is scooping it into mini paper cones or holiday treat bags for easy grab-and-go snacking—everyone loves that festive look with minimal fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once mixed and coated, store your Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. I keep mine in the pantry and find it stays fresh and crunchy for about 5-7 days. Just be sure it’s sealed tightly to keep moisture out!
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to make this treat ahead of time. Just place the puppy chow in a freezer-safe container or zipped bag and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw at room temperature—usually about an hour or so—and give it a gentle stir.
Reheating
This recipe doesn’t need reheating, but if your chocolate coating feels a little firm after chilling or freezing, you can let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving. Avoid microwaving directly to keep the mix from getting sticky or melty.
FAQs
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Can I use other cereals besides Rice Chex in this Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex is classic thanks to its light texture and good mixability, you can experiment with other cereals like Crispex or even gluten-free options. Just ensure the cereal you choose is sturdy enough to hold up under the chocolate and peanut butter coating without turning soggy.
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What if I don’t have mini pretzels? Can I skip them?
If you don’t have mini pretzels, you can either break regular pretzels into small pieces or skip them entirely. The pretzels add that salty crunch that balances the sweetness, but the recipe will still be delicious without them.
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Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
I recommend using creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter for best mixing results. Natural peanut butter tends to separate and might not blend as smoothly with the chocolate, which can affect the coating consistency.
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How do I keep the M&Ms and peanut butter cups from melting?
Add the M&Ms and peanut butter cups at the very end after the mixture has chilled and set. Stir gently to distribute without crushing or melting them. Also, keep the finished puppy chow in a cool place to maintain the candies’ shape and color.
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Can I make this Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe vegan or allergy-friendly?
Yes! Substitute your choice of dairy-free chocolate chips and any nut or seed butter that fits your dietary needs. You can also use allergy-friendly candies or omit the extras altogether if needed. Just keep the powdered sugar for that classic coating.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe has been a staple in my holiday rotation ever since I discovered how effortlessly it comes together and how much joy it brings to my family’s celebrations. It’s one of those snacks that’s deceptively simple but absolutely irresistible, especially with the festive colors and flavors. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it as much as eating it — and hey, if you want to stash a jar for yourself, I won’t tell! Give it a try and watch it become your new holiday favorite.
Print
Christmas Reindeer Puppy Chow Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 Servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Reindeer Food Recipe, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a delightful holiday snack mix combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal, mini pretzels, and festive red and green M&Ms, all coated in a rich peanut butter and dark chocolate mixture and dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for sharing during the holidays or as a fun treat for gatherings, this recipe is simple to make and sure to bring holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Base Mix
- 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- 1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
Chocolate Peanut Butter Coating
- 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
Coating and Candy
- 2 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 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 mini pretzels, ensuring even distribution of the pieces.
- Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: Gently melt the semisweet or dark chocolate chips with creamy peanut butter using either a stovetop double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently until smooth and fully combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Components: Pour the melted peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzel mixture. Stir carefully to coat all pieces evenly with the chocolate mixture.
- Chill to Set Up: Place the coated mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, allowing it to slightly set but not harden completely.
- Initial Coating with Powdered Sugar: Prepare a large clean bowl with ½ cup of powdered sugar at the bottom. Add half of the chilled mixture, sprinkle another ½ cup powdered sugar over it, then add the remaining cereal and chocolate mixture on top. Gently stir and toss until the powdered sugar evenly coats the mixture.
- Final Chilling: Return the mixture to the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the coating to set firmly.
- Additional Sugar Coating: Remove from refrigerator and add more powdered sugar in ¼ cup increments, tossing gently each time until the mixture is sufficiently coated to your liking.
- Add Candy: Fold in the red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups, mixing gently to distribute them without breaking.
- Serve and Store: Transfer the Christmas Puppy Chow to a serving bowl for immediate enjoyment. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
Notes
- Chocolate: Use semisweet or dark chocolate for the best balance of sweetness. Milk chocolate tends to make the mixture overly sweet. Allergy-friendly brands like Hu Kitchen or Enjoy Life Foods work well too.
- Nut Butter: You can substitute creamy peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or other nut/seed butters for allergy or taste preferences.
- Cereal: While Rice Chex is preferred, Crispex or similar rice-based cereals can be used as alternatives.
- Pretzels: Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks broken into smaller pieces are best. Avoid thick rods or large pretzel varieties for better coating and texture.
- Powdered Sugar: It’s recommended not to substitute powdered sugar since it provides the signature coating and texture.
- Candy Substitutions: Customize with your favorite holiday candies to vary flavors and colors, keeping the festive spirit alive.
- Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for 1 week, or freeze up to 1 month while maintaining freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/24th of recipe (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
