As the holiday season approaches, our homes are filled with the warm aroma of baked goods and sweet treats, making it impossible not to get caught up in the festive spirit. The sight of colorful candies and shiny decorations can instantly transport us back to cherished childhood memories. Among my favorite holiday snacks is this Christmas Snack Mix, a delightful blend of crunch and sweetness that always finds its way to gatherings. Mixing together Chex cereal, Bugles, pretzels, and M&M’s, all enveloped in creamy white chocolate, creates a snack that is both simple to make and irresistibly festive!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Christmas Snack Mix
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Christmas Snack Mix

I remember making this Christmas Snack Mix with my family each year, laughing as we added extra sprinkles and candy to personalize our creations. The excitement of pouring on the melted white chocolate and watching it transform into something magical was always a highlight. There’s something about the mingling of textures and flavors—sweet pops of chocolate, salty pretzels, and the gentle crunch of cereal—that makes this mix a true holiday treat. Grab your ingredients and join in the fun of making this delightful snack that’s perfect for holiday parties, snacking by the tree, or as a delightful gift!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: It takes just 10 minutes to prep, making it an easy addition to your holiday festivities!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet white chocolate and crunchy snacks creates a flavor explosion that everyone will love.
Eye-Catching Appeal: This mix is as fun to look at as it is to eat, with bright colors and playful textures that are sure to impress.
Flexible Serving: Great for parties, movie nights, or even as an on-the-go snack during holiday travels.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted to be gluten-free by selecting certified gluten-free cereals and snacks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 cups Rice Chex cereal: This base gives a delightful crunch and works wonderfully at soaking up the sweet flavors.
2 cups mini pretzels: Their salty, crispy bite contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the chocolate.
3 cups Bugles corn chips: These unique shapes add variety and extra crunch to your mix.
2 cups red and green M&M’s: Not only do they add sweetness, but they bring festive color to the mix as well!
24 ounces white chocolate chips: This smooth coating binds everything together and delivers that signature sweetness; feel free to use almond bark if you prefer.
2 Tablespoons red and green sprinkles: These add a fun pop of color on top and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love sprinkles?

How to Make Christmas Snack Mix

Prepare and Line: Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. It’s a small step that saves you some time later, allowing your Christmas Snack Mix to cool without any fuss.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the Rice Chex, mini pretzels, Bugles, and red and green M&M’s. Use your clean hands to mix gently, ensuring that everything is evenly distributed. The sight of all those vibrant colors and textures is sure to get you in a festive mood!

Melt the Chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring between each until melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat, as burnt chocolate can ruin the texture.

Coat the Mixture: Pour the melted chocolate over the mixed cereal and snack blend. Using a large spoon or your hands, gently fold and toss the mixture until all the pieces are beautifully coated in white chocolate. This step is crucial as it brings together all those flavors. The aroma of the melted chocolate is simply irresistible!

Spread and Decorate: Transfer your chocolate-coated mix onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer and sprinkle any extra red and green M&M’s along with the sprinkles over the top while the chocolate is still wet. This not only adds visual flair but also extra flavor.

Set and Serve: Allow your Christmas Snack Mix to cool completely so the chocolate hardens. Once set, it’s ready to serve! You can break it into chunks for easy sharing or store it in festive containers for gifting.

Storing & Reheating

To store your Christmas Snack Mix, keep it at room temperature in an airtight container—ideal for up to a week. If you want to store it longer, consider keeping it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For freezing, place it in a zip-top bag or airtight container and store for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw at room temperature. If the texture softens, a quick time in the oven can help revive that delightful crunch we all love!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid melting white chocolate too quickly; it’s better to go slow to maintain its smoothness.
Mix quickly after adding chocolate to ensure all the pieces are coated before it sets.
Experiment with different snacks! You can add popcorn, nuts, or even dried fruits for a twist.
Make it festive by using holiday-themed sprinkles or colored candies.
Always check for gluten-free snacks if you’re serving guests with dietary restrictions.
Try making a double batch so you have plenty to share (or keep for yourself!).

The joy of making and sharing this Christmas Snack Mix is truly a gift that keeps on giving. It’s easy to love, perfect for gatherings, and simply delicious. Don’t hesitate to tweak the ingredients to match your tastes and get creative with holiday variations.

Recipe FAQs

How long does the Christmas Snack Mix last?

The Christmas Snack Mix can last up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you choose to refrigerate it, it can keep for up to two weeks. Just remember that the crunchiness may diminish slightly over time, so enjoy it fresh!

Can I use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! If you prefer dark chocolate or want a richer flavor, feel free to substitute the white chocolate with dark chocolate chips. This will also add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the M&M’s and cereal.

What are some good add-ins for a unique twist?

You can certainly jazz up your Christmas Snack Mix with additions like popcorn, pretzel bites, or even different types of nuts. Dried cranberries or raisins provide a chewy texture that complements the crunchy components beautifully.

Can I make this snack mix ahead of time?

Yes, this Christmas Snack Mix is perfect for making ahead! You can prepare it a week in advance and store it in an airtight container. It makes for a great snack to have on hand when unexpected guests drop by, or when you need a quick treat during the busy holiday rush.

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Christmas Snack Mix

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Author: Jennifer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

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Description

This festive Christmas Snack Mix combines crunchy cereals, salty pretzels, and sweet M&M’s coated in smooth white chocolate for a scrumptious holiday treat that everyone will adore. Perfect for gatherings, snacking, or as delightful gifts!

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
3 cups Bugles corn chips
2 cups red and green M&M's
24 ounces white chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons red and green sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine Rice Chex, mini pretzels, Bugles, and M&M's in a large mixing bowl.
Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth.
Pour melted chocolate over the cereal mixture and coat evenly.
Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with extra M&M's and sprinkles.
Allow to cool completely before breaking into chunks and serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Feel free to substitute with almond bark for the white chocolate.
Experiment with additional snacks or sprinkles for a unique twist.