If you’re all about big holiday flavor with minimal fuss, this Puppy Chow Christmas Reindeer Food recipe is about to slide right into your festive season like a kid racing down a snowy hill. This treat has everything you want in a holiday snack: crunch, sweetness, chocolate, peanut butter, and plenty of Christmas flair. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy—just 7 simple ingredients that come together in a bowl of pure holiday joy.
And here’s the fun part: Reindeer Food isn’t just a snack; it’s a moment. It’s Christmas magic in a bowl. It’s the thing your friends ask you for again next year. It’s the gift your neighbors can’t stop talking about. And honestly? It’s the snack you keep reaching for long after you said, “Okay, last handful, seriously.”
Let’s dive in, because this cheerful little recipe has a lot of delicious details to share.
Introduction to the Recipe
This Reindeer Food has deep roots in my long-standing love affair with Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies. IMO, it’s one of the greatest snack-style Holiday Snacks ever invented. Crunchy cereal coated in melty chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar? Sign me up every time.
So it was only natural that I’d eventually create a more festive, Christmas-forward version. And this recipe? It’s everything I adore about Puppy Chow—but upgraded for the holidays with mini pretzels, Christmas candies, and the perfect touch of salty-sweet flavor.
Every bite gives you that rich chocolate-peanut-butter combo, a hit of crunch, a pop of color, and the kind of snack satisfaction that reminds you why you love December so much in the first place.
And the best part? This Reindeer Chow doubles as a gift. Toss it in a cellophane bag, slap on a cute label (or print the one my hubby designed), and boom—instant cheer.
What Makes This Recipe So Irresistible?
Let’s break down why this recipe actually works—and why it’s better than a lot of other Puppy Chow Recipes you’ve tried.
1. The technique is perfected.
I’ve toyed with the ratios for years. That means optimal chocolate-to-cereal coverage, maximum crunch, and zero bland bites.
2. The mix-ins matter.
Mini pretzels add that salty snap. Holiday candies add texture and color. Every ingredient earns its place.
3. The chill step is a game-changer.
Most people skip it. Don’t. It ensures your puppy chow isn’t too sweet and prevents the powdered sugar from disappearing into warm chocolate.
4. The customization options are endless.
Swap nut butters, change candies, add flavor twists—you can totally make it your own.
5. It’s festive without trying too hard.
Christmas vibes? Yes. Overly complicated? Absolutely not.
It just hits that perfect balance of nostalgic fun and modern holiday flavor—something your guests, kids, and coworkers will devour without hesitation.
Ingredient List (With Quick Notes)
Here’s a closer look at what goes into this crunchy Christmas miracle:
Semisweet Chocolate
Melts like a dream and gives a rich chocolate layer that keeps the recipe balanced. Dark chocolate = best flavor. Milk chocolate tends to push it into too-sweet territory.
Creamy Peanut Butter
It’s responsible for that velvety coating we all love. Any nut or seed butter works—almond, cashew, sunflower, you name it.
Rice Chex Cereal
Classic, lightweight, perfectly crisp. If you prefer Crispix, go for it—it works beautifully too.
Mini Pretzels
Break them into smaller bits so you get salty crunch in every cluster.
Powdered Sugar
No substitutes here—this is key for the signature snowy finish.
Candy Mix-Ins
Holiday M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups bring color and that irresistible chocolate boost. This is also where you can work in fun variations to match your vibe.
How to Make It (Simple & Straightforward)
You’ll breeze through these steps, trust me.
1. Prep the Cereal & Pretzels
Toss Rice Chex and broken pretzel pieces in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Melt the Chocolate & Peanut Butter
Slow stovetop melt or microwave—either works. Stir until smooth and glossy.
3. Coat the Cereal
Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal/pretzels and fold gently until everything is coated. No naked pieces allowed!
4. Chill the Mixture
Pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
This step is non-negotiable.
Chilling prevents the powdered sugar from absorbing too quickly, which keeps your Reindeer Food from becoming overly sweet.
5. Add Powdered Sugar
Transfer half the mix to a clean bowl dusted with powdered sugar. Layer sugar, cereal mix, more sugar. Toss gently until coated.
6. Chill Again
Another 30–60 minutes so everything sets nicely.
7. Add Candy
Once fully chilled, mix in the holiday M&Ms and peanut butter cups. Give it all a little stir and admire the festive magic.
8. Serve or Gift
Put in a pretty bowl, or pack it into bags and watch people’s eyes light up.
The Story Behind the Recipe
This recipe didn’t come from a Pinterest scroll or a TikTok trend. It came from years of making Puppy Chow for pretty much every occasion—birthdays, family movie nights, winter gatherings, and yes, plenty of Dessert Party spreads.
One December, I had the very specific craving for Puppy Chow…but with more holiday personality. Something less casual and more “I could gift this and feel proud about it.”
That’s when the idea hit: take the classic recipe, make it sturdier, add pretzels, color, and chocolate candy, and tweak the process to make it even better.
The result? The very Reindeer Food you’re reading about now. And after passing it out to friends, coworkers, neighbors, and honestly half my family, the feedback was unanimous:
“This is dangerously good.”
Which, in holiday baking world, is basically the highest compliment.
Pro Tips for the Best Outcome
Here’s where the real magic lies.
• Chill your mixture.
Yes, again. I’m repeating because it’s critical. Chilled chocolate absorbs less sugar, giving you fluffier, prettier, tastier puppy chow.
• Break the pretzels into small pieces.
Bigger pieces don’t distribute flavor as well.
• Keep stirring gently.
You want fully coated cereal—not crushed cereal.
• Use a clean bowl for the sugar-tossing step.
Otherwise the powdered sugar disappears into the chocolate smears on the sides.
• Add candy last.
Warm candy melts. You want crunch, not color streaks.
• Want more clusters?
Add ½ cup extra melted chocolate mixture. Clusters for days.
Variations to Try
Feeling creative? Here are fun twists that work beautifully:
Gingerbread Reindeer Food
Add 1 tsp gingerbread spice to the melted chocolate mixture. Instant cozy flavor.
Peppermint Chocolate Crunch
Throw in crushed candy canes or peppermint bark. Great with dark chocolate lovers.
Cookies & Cream
Fold in some chopped Dessert Oreo pieces after the final sugar coat.
Nut-Free Version
Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and use allergy-friendly chocolates.
White Chocolate Christmas Mix
Use white chocolate instead of dark and add freeze-dried strawberries for a pop of color.
Best Way to Serve
You’ve got options:
• In a big festive bowl for grazing
• In individual holiday cups for parties
• Packaged into cute gift bags with labels
• Added to a dessert board
• Mixed with popcorn for a hybrid sweet-salty Winter Desserts snack
And if you really want to win Christmas? Serve alongside hot cocoa, warm cider, or a fun holiday punch.
Quick Tips for Storage & Leftovers
• Store at room temp or the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freeze for up to 1 month (yep, Puppy Chow freezes great!).
• Let thaw before serving—cold pieces don’t absorb flavor the same way.
• Avoid airtight containers while the mixture is still warm—steam = soggy cereal.
Christmas Puppy Chow FAQs
Can you freeze Christmas Puppy Chow?
Absolutely. It freezes beautifully for up to a month. Just store in an airtight container.
How long does Reindeer Food last?
About a week when stored properly at room temp. But let’s be honest—it rarely lasts that long once people taste it.
Can I make it nut-free?
Yes! Swap in sunflower seed butter and use nut-free candies.
Can I double the recipe?
Oh, definitely. You’ll want to.
Can I make this ahead for a Dessert Party?
YES. In fact, making it ahead gives the flavors time to settle in.
Final Thoughts
This Reindeer Food mix has all the heart and nostalgia of classic Puppy Chow, but with enough festive flair to shine at any holiday gathering. It’s crunchy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery, sweet, salty, colorful, and downright addictive—in the best way.
Whether you’re gifting it to neighbors, piling it into bowls for a Christmas movie marathon, or tucking it onto a dessert table next to your Christmas Candy Recipes, it’s guaranteed to bring big smiles and empty bowls.
So go ahead—whip up a batch, bag it, share it, snack on it, and let this little cheerful recipe add some sparkle to your season.
Happy holiday munching! Print
Sweet & Crunchy Reindeer Food Recipe – A Cheerful Treat for Puppy Chow Christmas Lovers
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 Servings 1x
Description
This cheerful holiday snack is a playful twist on classic Puppy Chow, made with just 7 simple ingredients. It comes together quickly, tastes incredible, and makes an adorable homemade gift for coworkers, neighbors, and friends.
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, roughly crushed
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Start by placing the Rice Chex and broken pretzel pieces into a large mixing bowl and set it aside.
- In a separate heat-safe bowl, warm the peanut butter and chocolate together. You can melt them over low heat on the stove or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Gently stir until everything is coated evenly.
- Slide the bowl into the fridge for about 30 minutes, just long enough for the coating to begin firming up.
- Once lightly set, remove the bowl from the refrigerator.
- Grab a clean, oversized bowl and sprinkle ½ cup of powdered sugar across the bottom. Add half of the chilled cereal mixture, then dust another ½ cup of powdered sugar over it. Add the remaining cereal mixture.
- Using a soft hand, toss everything together so the powdered sugar coats the chocolate mixture.
- Chill again for another 30–60 minutes, or until fully set.
- Once chilled, add more powdered sugar as needed—about ¼ cup at a time—until the cereal mixture is completely covered to your liking.
- Stir in the M&Ms and peanut butter cups.
- Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately, or package it up for gifting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days.
Notes
Chocolate
- Dark or semisweet chocolate is best since it keeps the mix from becoming overly sweet. Any shape or form works—chips, chopped bars, or melting wafers. For those who need an allergy-friendly option, brands like Hu Kitchen and Enjoy Life Foods melt beautifully.
Peanut Butter
- Creamy peanut butter gives the best texture, but any nut or seed butter—almond, cashew, sunflower seed butter—can step in without an issue.
Cereal
- Rice Chex delivers the classic crunch, though Crispix and similar cereals are great alternatives.
Pretzels
- Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks are ideal once broken into small bits. Thick rods or oversized styles don’t blend as well.
Powdered Sugar
- Stick to classic powdered sugar here—there isn’t a substitute that creates the same coating effect.
Candy Add-Ins
- Feel free to personalize your mix with your favorite holiday candies. The red-and-green M&Ms add a festive touch, while the peanut butter cups add richness.
Storage & Freezing Tips
- Keep your Reindeer Food in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temp, about 1 week in the fridge, or up to 1 month in the freezer.
- Thaw frozen portions before serving so the texture returns to its perfect crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
