Reindeer Chow—also known as Christmas Muddy Buddies—is a deliciously addictive holiday snack mix made with chocolate-coated Chex cereal, brownie-mix coating, M&M’s, peanut butter cups, and pretzels, creating the perfect sweet-and-salty treat for festive gatherings and easy edible gifting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing holiday treat that requires zero baking and delivers maximum festive joy, Reindeer Chow is your answer. This snack mix is everything you want in a holiday recipe—crunchy, chocolaty, sweet, salty, and packed with fun Christmas colors. It’s incredibly easy to make in big batches, stores well, and is ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or packaging into mason jars for edible gifts. Kids and adults both love it, and the combination of textures—from coated Chex to M&M’s to creamy peanut butter cups—makes every handful exciting. Best of all, it’s customizable, affordable, and totally irresistible.

Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies)

Reindeer Chow is one of those holiday treats that instantly brings a festive spirit to the kitchen. With its vibrant colors, irresistible crunch, and mix of sweet and salty elements, it’s a recipe that effortlessly becomes a seasonal favorite. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing snack jars for gifting, or simply craving something fun and delicious, this Christmas Muddy Buddies mix delivers joy in every bite.

What makes this recipe so beloved is its wonderful balance of textures. The chocolate- and peanut-butter–coated Chex cereal adds a rich, decadent base, while the brownie mix (or cocoa-powdered sugar mix) gives each piece that signature powdered coating. Throw in pops of color from Christmas M&M’s and the salty snap of pretzels, and you have a snack mix that checks every box for festive indulgence.

One of the best things about Reindeer Chow is that it requires no baking at all. Everything comes together using just a few bowls and a microwave, making it an ideal recipe for busy holiday schedules. It’s the perfect treat to make when you’re short on time but still want something special, homemade, and shareable.

This treat is also incredibly kid-friendly—both to make and to eat. Kids love helping with the shaking step, sprinkling in candies, or packaging the final mix into bags or jars. It’s a wonderful activity for family holiday baking sessions, classroom treats, or cozy winter movie nights.

Reindeer Chow is also a fantastic edible gift. Packed into festive tins, jars, or treat bags, it instantly becomes a thoughtful, delicious present that anyone would be thrilled to receive. It’s simple, inexpensive, and feels personal—all the best qualities for holiday gifting.

Flavor-wise, this mix delivers a delightful balance of sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter, crunchy cereal, and the classic salty twist of pretzels. The pops of candy add bursts of texture and color that make it feel unmistakably Christmas. It’s addictive in the best way possible.

This recipe is also highly customizable. You can add popcorn, peppermint pieces, marshmallows, or swap in different candies to suit your preferences. It’s flexible, forgiving, and fun to experiment with, making it a great base recipe for creative holiday snack mixes.

When you need something that appeals to all ages, travels well, and stays fresh for days, Reindeer Chow is a holiday hero. It stores beautifully in airtight containers, making it great for prepping ahead for parties or snacking throughout the season.

Above all, Reindeer Chow brings pure holiday joy. It’s the kind of treat that embodies the fun, whimsy, and coziness of the holidays, making it a must-have for your December traditions. Whether you enjoy it curled up by the fire or serve it in big bowls at your next gathering, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.

Servings & Time

Servings: 12 cups of snack mix
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup dry brownie mix or 1 cup powdered sugar + 1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 bag Christmas M&M’s (12 oz)

• 2 cups mini peanut butter cups

• 2 cups pretzel twists

Instructions

1. Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.

2. In a separate medium bowl, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter.

3. Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals until fully melted, stirring until smooth.

4. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.

5. Gently fold with a spatula until all cereal pieces are completely coated.

6. Place the brownie mix (or powdered sugar + cocoa mix) into a large resealable gallon-sized bag.

7. Add the chocolate-coated cereal to the bag.

8. Seal the bag and shake until all pieces are evenly coated.

9. Spread the coated cereal onto a sheet of parchment paper in a single layer.

10. Cool completely until dry.

11. Combine the coated cereal with M&M’s, peanut butter cups, and pretzel twists.

12. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use white chocolate instead of semisweet for a sweeter holiday twist.

• Substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut allergies.

• Replace pretzel twists with pretzel sticks or popcorn.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Make the coated cereal a day ahead; mix in candies just before serving for best texture.

• Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

• Freeze the cereal-only portion for up to 2 months.

Serving Variations

• Add crushed candy canes for a peppermint version.

• Mix in mini marshmallows for extra softness.

• Add red and green sprinkles for more color.

Avoid Mistakes

• Don’t overheat the chocolate; it can seize.

• Coat the cereal gently to prevent crushing.

• Let the mix cool fully before adding M&M’s to prevent melting.