If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that combines crunch, sweetness, and holiday cheer, look no further than this delightful Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow). Bursting with the perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter, crunchy Chex cereal, and colorful M&Ms, this snack is almost magical in how quickly it disappears at any holiday gathering. It’s playful, easy to make, and just the right balance of indulgence and fun, making it a standout addition to your Christmas snack lineup.

Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a unique role, from the creamy peanut butter adding depth to the melted chocolate to the pretzels giving that irresistible crunch and salty contrast. Together, they create a symphony of textures and tastes that feel both classic and festive.

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips: Use your favorite chocolate for richness and smooth melting.

1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter: Creamy texture blends perfectly with chocolate and coats the cereal evenly.
5 cups Rice Chex Cereal: The crunchy base that soaks up all the chocolate and peanut butter goodness.

1 ½ cups mini pretzels broken into pieces: Adds a salty bite and extra crunch to contrast the sweet elements.
2 cups powdered sugar: Coats the mixture giving it that classic puppy chow look and a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms: Festive colors that pop visually and add a fun, candy crunch.
1 cup mini peanut butter cups: Extra indulgence with bursts of peanut butter and chocolate to surprise your taste buds.

How to Make Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

Step 1: Combine Cereal and Pretzels

Start by tossing together the Rice Chex cereal and broken pretzel pieces in a large bowl. These two create the wonderful crunch foundation for your Christmas Puppy Chow, and mixing them early ensures every bite gets both salty and crispy elements.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Next, gently melt the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter together. You can do this either on the stovetop with low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts. Stir frequently so you end up with a velvety, smooth mixture that will coat the cereal evenly.

Step 3: Combine Melted Mixture with Cereal

Pour that luscious peanut butter-chocolate mixture over your cereal and pretzels. Stir carefully but thoroughly, making sure every piece is coated generously. The key here is to build that irresistible flavor layer covering each bite.

Step 4: Chill to Set Partially

Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This chilling step is important so the coating firms up just enough, making the next steps easier and ensuring the powdered sugar sticks beautifully.

Step 5: Coat with Powdered Sugar

Remove the partially set mixture and prepare a separate large bowl with ½ cup of powdered sugar at the bottom. Add half of the chilled mixture, then sprinkle another ½ cup powdered sugar over it. Add the remaining mixture followed by more powdered sugar. Gently toss everything to evenly cover all pieces with a snowy, sweet coating.

Step 6: Chill Again and Add More Sugar if Needed

Return the coated mixture to the fridge for another 30 to 60 minutes to fully set. If you want an extra powdery finish, add powdered sugar ¼ cup at a time, tossing gently until the Christmas Puppy Chow is perfectly coated with a soft dusting reminiscent of fresh snow.

Step 7: Stir in Festive M&Ms and Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Finally, stir in the red and green M&Ms along with the mini peanut butter cups. These colorful touches make the snack truly festive and add lovely bursts of additional peanut butter and chocolate flavor to every handful.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your beautiful creation to a serving bowl, ideally something bright and holiday-themed. This gorgeous mix of sweet, salty, crunchy, and colorful is now ready to delight young and old alike.

How to Serve Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

Garnishes

Consider topping your Christmas Puppy Chow with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes for a minty twist or a dusting of edible glitter to add holiday sparkle. A few fresh cranberries scattered on top can introduce a tart pop of flavor and extra festive color.

Side Dishes

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) pairs beautifully with warm drinks like hot cocoa or classic eggnog. It also complements other holiday treats such as gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts, creating a varied and indulgent snack table for your guests.

Creative Ways to Present

Dip small cellophane bags in chocolate, fill them with the puppy chow, and tie with red and green ribbons for adorable gift-ready snacks. Alternatively, serve in mini mason jars decorated with festive twine or on a tiered holiday dessert tray to impress family and friends at your seasonal gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep leftover Christmas Puppy Chow fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay perfectly crunchy and delicious for up to 5 to 7 days, making it a convenient snack to enjoy throughout the holiday week.

Freezing

If you want to store this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) for longer, freezing is an option. Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, and it will keep well for about 1 to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving to retain its delightful texture.

Reheating

This treat is best enjoyed at room temperature and does not require reheating. Simply remove from the fridge or freezer, let it come to room temp, and serve to maintain its signature crunch and flavor balance.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

While creamy peanut butter helps the chocolate coat the cereal smoothly, using crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture and might affect the coating consistency slightly. It’s a fun twist if you enjoy a bit more bite and peanut chunks.

Is there a dairy-free or vegan way to make this?

Absolutely! Use dairy-free chocolate chips and a plant-based peanut butter. Just double-check the powdered sugar for bone char processing, or use organic powdered sugar to keep it truly vegan.

Can I substitute other nuts or candies?

Feel free to customize! Chopped almonds, cashews, or even holiday-themed candy like peppermint bark work wonderfully. Keep in mind that substitutions might alter the classic texture but can add interesting new flavors.

How do I prevent the mixture from clumping together?

The chilling steps are crucial to prevent clumping. Also, stirring gently during the powdered sugar coating stages helps keep the mix nice and crumbly rather than forming big clumps.

Is this recipe safe for dogs?

This recipe contains chocolate and peanut butter cups that are unsafe for dogs, so keep it away from furry friends. If you want to make a dog-friendly “reindeer food,” look for recipes specifically designed with pet-safe ingredients.

Final Thoughts

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) is a true holiday crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to snack on. Whether you’re sharing it with family by the fire or giving it as a sweet gift, it captures the joyful spirit of the season in every bite. I can’t wait for you to make it, enjoy it, and watch it disappear with smiles all around!

Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 14 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 10 cups 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This festive Reindeer Food Recipe, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a delightful and colorful holiday snack mix combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, melted chocolate and peanut butter, dusted with powdered sugar, and studded with vibrant red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups. Perfect for holiday parties or as a fun treat to share with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips

1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces

2 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
1 cup mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

Combine Cereal and Pretzels: In a large bowl, add 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal and 1 ½ cups of broken mini pretzels. Gently mix to combine the dry ingredients.
Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl or over the stovetop in a double boiler, melt together 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips and 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter until smooth and fully combined.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted peanut butter and chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzel mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat all the cereal and pretzel pieces.

Chill to Set Partially: Place the coated mixture in the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes until it begins to set but is still pliable.
Prepare for Powdered Sugar Coating: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. In another large bowl, spread ½ cup powdered sugar on the bottom. Add half of the chilled cereal mixture, then sprinkle another ½ cup powdered sugar on top. Add the remaining half of the cereal mixture followed by the remaining powdered sugar.
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Gently stir and toss the cereal mixture to evenly distribute the powdered sugar, ensuring all pieces are well coated.

Chill to Fully Set: Return the mixture to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 30 to 60 minutes until fully set.
Adjust Powdered Sugar Coating: Once set, add more powdered sugar in ¼ cup increments, stirring gently each time until the cereal and pretzel pieces are thoroughly coated to your liking.
Add Festive Mix-ins: Fold in 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms and 1 cup mini peanut butter cups. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.

Serve: Transfer the finished Reindeer Food to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately.
Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

Use creamy peanut butter for easier melting and smoother texture.

Dark or semisweet chocolate chips work best for a rich flavor, but milk chocolate can be used if preferred.
Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to your desired sweetness and coating thickness.
Store the mix in a cool, dry place to prevent melting and preserve crunchiness.

This recipe is not suitable for peanut allergies; substitutions can be made with almond or sunflower seed butter if needed.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Category: Snack
Method: No-Bake, Mixing, Chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup (about 50g)
Calories: 260
Sugar: 15g

Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 5g

Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g

Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: holiday snack, Christmas Puppy Chow, Reindeer Food, peanut butter chocolate mix, festive snack mix, holiday treat