Name: Christmas Chex Mix
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 cups Chex (rice or corn); 2 cups Cheerios (plain); 2 cups pretzels; 1 cup Christmas M&M's; 10 ounces white chocolate (I used Ghirardelli wafers)

This Christmas Chex Mix is the no-bake holiday treat my family makes every December. Sweet salty crunchy and ready in under 30 minutes!

Close up image of Christmas Chex Mix in a bowl.

Every holiday season my kids help me make big batches of this to fill treat bags for our neighbors and their teachers. It is one of our favorite Christmas traditions and at $11.98 for the whole batch it is one of the most affordable homemade gifts we give all year.

I always stock up on the ingredients in November because we end up making this multiple times all the way through December.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Carrie, the owner, with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

Only 5 ingredients
No bake and no oven
The perfect homemade holiday gift
Kids can help — tossing the mix and adding the sprinkles is the perfect job for little hands
Completely customizable — swap the M&M colors for any holiday all year long

This mix goes by different names. Rather you call it Christmas Chex Mix or Christmas Crack chex mix it is still the perfect no-bake, easy snack recipe. It is so addicting and there are so many different variations that you never get tired of it. You might also like Grinch Cupcakes, Christmas Crunch Recipe, Slow Cooker Chex Mix, or Sweet Chex Mix.

5 Simple Ingredients

Chex cereal — use rice Chex, wheat Chex, corn Chex, or a combination. Rice Chex gives the lightest crunch while wheat Chex adds a heartier texture
Cheerios — plain Cheerios give the classic result. Honey Cheerios add a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the white chocolate
Pretzels — any shape works. Twists, snaps, or sticks all give that essential salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the white chocolate
Christmas M&Ms — the festive red and green color is what makes this look like Christmas. Mini or regular size both work. Swap colors for any holiday throughout the year
White chocolate — Ghirardelli wafers give the smoothest most professional result. Vanilla almond bark and white chocolate chips both work as substitutes — melt slowly to avoid burning

How to Make Christmas Chex Mix

A glass bowl filled with a festive Christmas Chex Mix of pretzels, Chex cereal, Cheerios, and red and green candies, with a wooden spoon placed inside. Next to it is a smaller bowl containing white chocolate chips, all set on a marble countertop.

Step 1 – In a large bowl, combine the Chex, Cheerios, pretzels and M&M’s. Mix cereal with the other ingredients until combined.

A large glass bowl filled with a festive mix of pretzels, Chex cereal, Cheerios, and colorful M&M candies sits on a marble countertop. This Christmas Chex Mix is complemented by a smaller white bowl containing creamy melted chocolate with a spoon resting inside.

Step 2 – Place the white chocolate or vanilla almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir and then melt in 30 second increments (stirring in between). Do not overcook or it will burn.

A large glass bowl filled with Christmas Chex Mix features cereals, pretzels, and colorful candy-coated chocolates. Drizzled on top is a white coating, possibly melted white chocolate. Next to the bowl is a smaller bowl containing the same white coating and a spoon.

Step 3 – Next pour the melted chocolate over the chex mix and toss until well coated.

An overhead view of Christmas Chex Mix, commonly known as Reindeer Chow. It features a blend of Chex cereal, pretzels, Cheerios, and M&M candies, all coated in a white, sugary glaze, spread out over a sheet of parchment paper on a marble surface.

Step 4 – Then pour the chex onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with a piece of wax or parchment paper and allow to set until hardened and cool completely (at least 15 minutes).

A close-up of a festive Christmas Chex Mix on a baking tray. The mix includes pretzels, Chex cereal, Cheerios, red and green M&Ms, and bits of other cereal, all coated in a white sugary glaze. A red and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the side.

Tips for Success

Melt the white chocolate slowly. White chocolate burns faster than any other chocolate — use 30-second intervals and stir between each one. The moment it is smooth stop microwaving
Use a large bowl for tossing. The cereal mixture is bulky — a large bowl gives you room to toss everything without it spilling over the sides
Spread thin for the best crunch. Spread the coated mix as evenly and thinly as possible on the baking sheet — thick clumps take longer to set and do not get as crunchy
Add sprinkles immediately. If you are adding holiday sprinkles do it right after spreading while the chocolate is still wet — sprinkles will not stick once the chocolate hardens
Let it set completely before breaking. Give it the full 15 minutes to harden completely before breaking into pieces — cutting it short leaves a sticky coating that makes a mess when packaging

Holiday Gifting Ideas

This is one of the most versatile homemade holiday gifts because it packages beautifully and everyone loves it:

Fill clear mason jars with a ribbon for a simple festive gift
Package in cellophane treat bags tied with a red or green ribbon for neighbor and teacher gifts
Add to a holiday cookie tray alongside Scotcheroos Recipe, Cake Balls Recipe, and Snickerdoodle Blondies for the ultimate Christmas dessert spread
Package in a festive tin for a gift that looks like it came from a boutique bakery

Variation Ideas

There are so many variations to this mix.

Change the M&M colors — pink and red for Valentine’s Day, pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, red white and blue for the Fourth of July
Add holiday sprinkles — fold in or sprinkle on top while the chocolate is still wet for extra festive color
Add nuts — peanuts, pecans, cashews, or sliced almonds add an extra salty crunch
Add mini marshmallows — fold in after coating for a fun fluffy addition the kids love
Change the cereal — Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms, or Life Cereal all work as fun substitutes
Use peanut M&Ms — adds an extra crunch and peanut butter flavor that is incredibly addicting

A close-up of a bowl filled with Christmas Chex Mix comprising cereal squares, pretzels, green and red M&M's, and other bite-sized treats, all coated in a white, creamy coating. The mix appears festive with bright colors and a variety of textures.

Storage and Freezer Instructions

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3–4 days — keep away from heat or the white chocolate will soften

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this mix taste like?

Sweet and salty with a satisfying crunch! The white chocolate coats everything in a creamy sweet layer while the pretzels and cereal keep every bite light and crunchy.

How long does this mix take to make?

Under 30 minutes from start to finish including the 15 minutes of setting time.

Can I make Christmas Chex Mix ahead of time?

Yes — make up to 3–4 days ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Perfect for getting holiday gifting done early.

More Christmas Treats

Christmas Tree Brownies

Christmas Brownies

Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls

Christmas Puppy Chow

This Christmas Mix has been one of our favorite holiday traditions for years. It is one of the most affordable and most loved homemade gifts we give all December long.

If you make it leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing whether your neighbors asked for the recipe the way ours always do!

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