Last updated: August 18, 2026
Reindeer chow is the sweet, crunchy Christmas snack mix that turns Rice Chex, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and a snowy coating of powdered sugar into the most requested treat of the holiday season. You will love how the recipe card below breaks this down into a simple ingredient list and numbered steps, so you can have a batch mixed, coated, and cooling on the counter before your kettle even finishes boiling.
What Is Reindeer Chow
Reindeer chow is a holiday twist on the classic puppy chow snack mix, swapping in Christmas colors and a festive name that kids love. The base is Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal, coated in a mixture of melted chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter, then tumbled in powdered sugar until every piece looks dusted with snow. Bakers on Reddit and in Facebook baking groups have swapped versions of this recipe for years around December, usually tucked into small treat bags for classroom parties, church functions, and neighbor gifts.
The name comes from a sweet bit of holiday tradition. Parents tell children that Santa’s reindeer need a snack of their own on Christmas Eve, something crunchy and a little bit magical to keep them going as they fly from house to house. Unlike the reindeer food you might scatter on the lawn (usually oats and glitter), reindeer chow is entirely for people. Nobody is dusting this on the driveway.
Where the Recipe Comes From
Muddy buddies, monkey munch, and puppy chow are all names for the same base recipe: cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar. Chex Cereal itself has published versions of this snack mix on the back of its cereal boxes since the 1980s, which is part of why so many home bakers already have the ratios memorized. The reindeer chow variation usually adds red and green candy pieces, pretzels, or M&M’s to make the mix feel distinctly like a Christmas snack rather than an everyday party mix.
Ingredients You Will Need
The full ingredient list with exact measurements lives in the recipe card below, but here is what each component does in the mix. Rice Chex is the traditional base because its light, hollow shape soaks up the chocolate coating without turning soggy, though Corn Chex works well too if that is what your pantry has on hand. Semisweet chocolate chips form the backbone of the coating, and a scoop of creamy peanut butter thins the chocolate while adding richness and helping the powdered sugar cling evenly.
Butter, melted alongside the chocolate and peanut butter, keeps the coating glossy and prevents it from seizing into a hard, clumpy shell. Powdered sugar, sometimes called confectioners’ sugar, is what gives the mix its signature snowy look once you shake the coated cereal in a bag or bowl. For the reindeer theme, red and green M&M’s, holiday sprinkles, or crushed candy canes get folded in at the end for color and crunch.
How to Make Reindeer Chow
Start by measuring your cereal into a very large mixing bowl, one big enough that you can stir without cereal flying everywhere. Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together, either in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each, or in a small saucepan over low heat on the stove. Watch the mixture closely once it starts to melt, since chocolate scorches quickly and a scorched batch cannot be saved by adding more sugar.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and fold gently with a rubber spatula, working from the bottom of the bowl up so every piece gets coated without crushing the cereal. Once the cereal is evenly covered, transfer it in batches to a large gallon-size zip-top bag with the powdered sugar already inside. Seal the bag, leaving room for air, and shake until every piece is dusted white.
Spread the coated mixture onto a large sheet of parchment paper or a baking sheet in a single layer so it can cool and set for about 15 minutes. Once it has cooled, fold in your red and green candies or holiday sprinkles, then transfer the finished reindeer chow to an airtight container or individual treat bags.
Tips for the Best Batch
Work quickly once the chocolate mixture is poured over the cereal, since it firms up as it cools and gets harder to fold evenly the longer it sits. Use a light hand when stirring so the Chex pieces stay whole instead of turning to crumbs at the bottom of the bowl. If your kitchen runs warm, pop the coated cereal in the refrigerator for five minutes before shaking it in the powdered sugar bag, which helps the coating set enough to hold the sugar without clumping.
Variations and Substitutions
White chocolate chips make a lighter, sweeter version that pairs nicely with crushed peppermint instead of M&M’s. Swap the peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you are working around a peanut allergy for a classroom party. Pretzel sticks, broken into pieces and mixed in with the cereal, add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the chocolate and powdered sugar.
Gluten-free bakers can use a certified gluten-free Rice Chex, since standard Chex cereal is often produced in facilities that also process wheat. For a dairy-free batch, use dairy-free chocolate chips and a plant-based butter substitute, both of which are widely available at most grocery stores now.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Reindeer chow keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, which makes it a genuinely good make-ahead option for holiday gatherings. Keep it away from direct sunlight or a warm kitchen counter, since the chocolate coating can soften and turn greasy in the heat. For longer storage, freeze the finished mix in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months, then let it come to room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Scoop reindeer chow into small cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon for an easy, no-bake teacher or neighbor gift. Set out a large bowl at a Christmas party alongside other snack mixes so guests can build their own holiday charcuterie board. Pack it into a thermos-friendly container for a car ride to grandma’s house, since it holds up well without melting as long as it stays out of direct heat.
Ready to see the exact measurements and step-by-step timing. The recipe card below has everything laid out so you can follow along while you cook.
Reindeer Chow
A crunchy, chocolatey Christmas snack mix made with Rice Chex, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and a snowy coating of powdered sugar, finished with red and green candies.
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup red and green M&M's candies
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Measure the Rice Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and fold gently with a rubber spatula until every piece is coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal in batches to a large zip-top bag filled with the powdered sugar. Seal and shake until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Fold in the red and green M&M's and holiday sprinkles.
- Transfer to an airtight container or individual treat bags for serving or gifting.
Notes
For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week, or freeze for up to two months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
3/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 210mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 5g
Reindeer Chow Questions and Answers
Can I make reindeer chow without a microwave?
Yes, you can melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together in a small saucepan over low heat on the stovetop. Stir constantly and remove the pan from the heat as soon as everything is smooth, since chocolate can scorch quickly over direct heat.
Why did my reindeer chow turn out clumpy instead of powdery?
Clumping usually happens when the chocolate coating is still too warm when it hits the powdered sugar. Let the coated cereal cool for a few minutes before shaking it in the sugar, and shake gently rather than stirring with a spoon.
Can I use a different cereal besides Chex?
Corn Chex, Rice Chex, and even Crispix all work well in this recipe, since they share a similar light, hollow texture. Cereals with a lot of sugar already baked in, like frosted flakes, tend to make the finished mix overly sweet.
How far in advance can I make reindeer chow for a party?
You can make reindeer chow up to a week ahead of time as long as you store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This makes it a reliable option to prep during a quieter day before a busy holiday week.
Is reindeer chow the same thing as puppy chow?
Reindeer chow is essentially puppy chow with a Christmas theme, usually featuring red and green candies or holiday sprinkles mixed in. The base recipe of cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar is the same.
Can kids help make this recipe?
Yes, reindeer chow is a great recipe for kids to help with, especially the shaking-in-the-bag step and mixing in the holiday candies. Just handle the stovetop or microwave melting step yourself since the chocolate mixture gets hot.
Wrapping Up Your Batch of Reindeer Chow
Reindeer chow is one of those Christmas snack mix recipes that earns a permanent spot in your holiday rotation once you make it the first time. Follow the recipe card above for exact measurements, then get creative with the mix-ins your family loves best.
