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Simply put, this Reindeer Chow is a must. Include it in your holiday dessert line up for a delicious mix of cereals, white chocolate, peanuts, M&Ms, and pretzels!
The ultimate treat for reindeer… and us!
This holiday season, switch up the cookie lineup and spruce up the buffet of sweets with this delicious and crunchy reindeer chow!
Reindeer chow is one of my favorites to make because it’s a hodge-podge of flavors and each bite is filled with the most delicious treats! Yummy cereals, candy, pretzel sticks, and loads of white chocolate. Yes, please!
One of the great things about this recipe is that you can stick with the ingredient list below, or you can get creative and add whatever salty or sweet addition that you’d like! But for now, let’s get started with the classic combo of Rice Chex, Cheerios, pretzel sticks, M&Ms, and more.
Ingredients in reindeer chow
To make this reindeer chow recipe you will need two types of cereal, pretzel sticks, M&Ms, peanuts, white chocolate, and a bit of coconut oil.
- Rice Chex: Start with 3 cups of Rice Chex. This will add a light and fluffy crunch!
- Cheerios: Next, use 3 cups of the cereal classic: Cheerios. The plain kind will be best.
- Pretzels: Add some salty flavor with 3 cups of pretzel sticks. You can slightly crush them for more texture, or break them in half for bite-sized pieces.
- M&Ms: Use 3 cups of M&Ms as the chocolate component! I recommend using the holiday mix for cheery and festive colors.
- Peanuts: Add some nutty protein with 2 cups of peanuts.
- White chocolate: White chocolate will be used as the “glaze” in this chow. Use 1 16 oz bag.
- Coconut oil: Last but not least, you will need 2 tbsp of coconut oil to help the white chocolate melt down properly.
Tools needed to make this recipe
You will need 5 main cooking items in addition to two measuring cups. Gather the following, and let’s make a delicious dessert!
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups: 1 tbsp, 1 cup
How to make this holiday reindeer chow recipe
Reindeer chow is simple to make and comes together in just 5 minutes! After combining the ingredients, we’ll let it chill in the fridge for half an hour.
First, mix the Rice Chex, Cheerios, pretzel sticks, M&Ms, and peanuts in a large mixing bowl.
Add the white chocolate and coconut oil to a bowl and microwave them for 30-second increments. Stir after each increment and repeat until the mixture is completely melted.
Pour the white chocolate and coconut oil mixture over the snack mix and stir until each piece is coated.
Evenly spread the coated mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Once cooled, break the mix into chunks and serve!
Substitution Tip
Looking to mix things up? Here are some simple swaps you can make to customize your holiday chow to your liking!
Cereal
Another cereal that will work well in this recipe is Rice Krispies.
Pretzel sticks
Pretzel sticks aren’t required for this recipe. If you have regular mini pretzels taking up space in the pantry, use ’em!
M&Ms
Feel free to swap out M&Ms for any candy that you love. Reese’s Cups would add a delicious peanut buttery flavor while crushed up Twix bars would add caramel and texture!
White chocolate
White chocolate can be replaced with chocolate chips or even peanut butter chips!
Add ons
Of course, all of the above can be added to the chow rather than substituted! You can also add some festive red and green sprinkles for extra cheer.
Storing leftovers
Reindeer chow should be kept in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for a longer shelf life, but storing at room temperature is also fine. It should remain fresh and tasty for about 4 days!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Dying for some more sweet holiday treats? Here are some fun and festive ideas!
- Double Chocolate Mint Paleo Cookies
- Healthy Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Easy Gingerbread Truffles (Paleo, Gluten-Free)
- Healthy Peppermint Brownies
- Healthy Peanut Butter Snowballs
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 3 cups rice chex
- 3 cups cheerios
- 3 cups pretzel sticks (crushed slightly)
- 3 cups holiday m&ms
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 16 oz white chocolate
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together rice chex, cheerios, pretzels, m&ms, and peanuts.
- Microwave white chocolate and coconut oil in 30 second increments, stirring after each one, until completely melted.
- Pour white chocolate over snack mix and stir until each piece is coated.
- Lay out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Break apart into chunks.
- Store in airtight container.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Michelle says
My boys enjoyed making (and eating) this with me tonight!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Michelle, so happy everyone loved it!
Alanna says
Love how easy/fast and delicious this recipe is and that you used the microwave to melt the chocolate! I could not find white chocolate so I used milk chocolate. Next time, I would likely save some candy to add at the end so it doesnโt look so brown. I added holiday sprinkles for some color this time. I also thought it needed to be in the fridge overnight before I could break it apart (hardest part because you want to have some right away!)
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alanna, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Carly says
Lets just say this did not last long in the house, so easy and great snack!
★★★★★
Danielle Slaney says
This is a yummy chow and so easy to assemble! A holiday hit ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Danielle, so glad you liked it!!
Hannah says
One of my favorites to make around the holidays! Easy and sooo addicting!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so glad you loved it! ๐
Becca says
Addicting!!!! I will be making this all holiday season (and beyond!)
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Becca, so glad you liked it!!
alex says
so easy and delicious
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alex, so happy you enjoyed it!
Nicole says
I used GF pretzels to make this gluten free. It was a hit at the party! Just the right amount of sweet.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so happy you loved it!!
Hannah says
So simple and so good! Didnโt have cheerios, but just added a little extra Chex mix and it worked out fine.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so glad you enjoyed it and made it your own!!
Emily G. says
This was amazing! It does make quite a large batch, but I was able to share with family and they loved it too. I used Lilyโs white chocolate and it worked really well. Highly recommend!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emily, so glad everyone enjoyed it!!
Marlise Lombardo says
SUPER easy, SUPER delicious! I made this recipe exactly as noted and it came out perfectly. My fiancรฉ loves chocolate (not white) so I made a 2nd batch and substituted with semi sweet chips instead of white chocolate and then added chocolate Chex. I made both recipes for a holiday block party and everyone loved it! 10/10 recommend ELW Reindeer Chow!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Marlise, I am so happy you both loved it so much! ๐
Carolyn says
Amazingly simple yet delicious!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Carolyn, so happy you loved it!!
sierra says
way too good!! i devoured the entire batch way faster than i’d like to admit. so worth it though ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sierra, so happy you loved it and sounds like you need to make more!!
Maggie says
This is AMAZING! A must make and so addictive.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maggie, so glad you loved it!!
Ashley says
Erin NEVER disappoints but this is such a fun holiday snack! I made it with my little guy this morning and have been munching on it all afternoon! A hit with the whole family <3
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so glad you all loved it!! ๐
Hannah Neville says
Delicious!! There is just something about white chocolate that makes me enjoy it more around the holidays and this hit the spot for my sweet tooth craving! My husband is a huge white chocolate fan and loves this reindeer chow! Iโm going to make some more and distribute it to my coworkers and neighbors โบ๏ธ Thank you Erin!!
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you both loved it so much!! ๐
Allie says
So delicious and easy to make! Thanks Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allie, so glad you liked it!!
Janelle Molitor says
OMG so good, only problem is how do I stop eating this?!?! ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Janelle, so happy you loved it so much! Sounds like the solution is to make another batch!!
Katie says
I’m not sure why this recipe is marked dairy free… m&ms and white chocolate both contain milk. As a mom who has a kid with a severe dairy allergy, marking this dairy free when not all of the ingredients are free of dairy is a recipe for sadness at a holiday party.
Erin says
Hi Katie, the chocolate chips used in this recipe were dairy free– Lily’s to be exact. Hope that helps clear things up for you! ๐
katie says
do you think this would taste good with dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?
Erin says
Hi Katie, yes of course!! Definitely good with whatever chocolate you like best!
Jessi Boyle says
One of my favorite treats to make at the holidays! Canโt wait to make your recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jessi, thanks and let me know how it comes out!!