Reindeer Munch is the ultimate holiday season snack mix – think crunchy, sweet, and just the right amount of salty! This fun treat is the perfect snack for goodie bags, settling in to watch a Christmas movie, or as a party treat — it’s an irresistible treat and a holiday hit that’s as fun to make as it is to munch on.
Ingredients
This sweet snack mix combines classic ingredients with a holiday twist. Here’s what makes each part special:
- Chex Cereal – The cereal has a light, crispy crunch that balances well with the sweetness of the almond bark and candies.
- Pretzels – These make this a sweet and salty snack. Use pretzel sticks or mini pretzels.
- Cheerios Cereal – Another layer of crunch that’s smaller than the Chex for a fun texture variety.
- Salted Peanuts – These bring a savory, nutty flavor to the table and make the mix more filling.
- M&Ms – Festive colors bring a pop of holiday cheer.
- Salted Butter – A little butter goes a long way to add richness and helps the almond bark blend smoothly.
- Almond Bark – The bark, once melted, coats the entire mix with a sweet, creamy layer. It’s easy to work with and hardens to a nice crunchy coating.
- Festive Sprinkles (Optional) – Add holiday sprinkles for extra color and a fun finishing touch!
Variations
Want to put your own spin on this holiday treat? Here are some easy ways to mix your reindeer munch up:
- Chocolate Chips – Add some mini chocolate chips for extra richness and chocolate flavor. You can use semi-sweet chips, milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips.
- Mini Marshmallows – Mix in marshmallows for a soft, chewy contrast to the crunchy ingredients.
- Crushed Peppermint – For a peppermint twist, sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint bits for a minty flavor and extra festive look.
- Caramel Corn – Toss in some caramel corn for texture and sweetness. Plus, the saltiness of the popcorn adds another dimension of flavor.
- Nut Butter – Melt and drizzle in some creamy peanut butter with the cereal mixture. Or use an alternative like sunflower seed butter. Or, try candy melts.
- Dried Fruit – The tartness of cranberries works well with the other ingredients but raisins will work well, too.
- Nuts – Avoiding a peanut allergy or just looking to try different nuts? Try pecans or walnuts!
- Powdered Sugar – After coating with the melted almond bark, toss with powdered sugar to coat.
How to Make this Reindeer Munch Recipe
There are few holiday treats as easy to make as this reindeer munch. Whip it up on Christmas Eve so kiddos can leave it out for Santa’s reindeer.
- Combine The Dry Ingredients. Add the Chex, pretzels, Cheerios, peanuts, and M&Ms to a large bowl and mix until everything is well mixed.
- Melt The Butter And Almond Bark. Place the butter in a saucepan and melt it. Then, add the almond bark, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
- Coat The Snack Mix. Pour the melted almond bark over the dry mix in batches, tossing to evenly coat all the pieces.
- Spread And Decorate. Spread the mixture in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. While the almond bark is still tacky, sprinkle with festive sprinkles if desired.
- Let Set And Enjoy. Let the mix harden, then break the mixture into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container or bag until you’re ready to serve.
Why Isn’t My Melted White Chocolate Smooth?
Melted white chocolate can turn gritty or lumpy because it’s sensitive to heat and moisture, causing the cocoa butter to separate or seize if overheated or exposed to water. Using gentle heat and high-quality chocolate helps achieve a smoother melt.
Common Questions about Reindeer Munch
Yes, you can use white chocolate chips or melting chocolate if you prefer. Just be aware that almond bark is often easier to melt and sets up more firmly.
You can swap peanuts for almonds, cashews, or even pecans for a different nutty flavor!
It depends on the specific brands of each ingredient. Be sure to check that your pretzels, cereals, and other items are labeled gluten-free if needed.
Storage and Freezing
Reindeer Munch stores well and can be enjoyed for up to 1 week when stored at room temperature, so it’s perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties.
How to Store
Refrigerating isn’t necessary but the snack will last for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Reindeer Munch?
To store longer, place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 1 month. Just let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Quick and Easy Snacks
On the search for more snacks to satisfy a sweet tooth any time of year? Check out these super simple recipes!
Reindeer Munch
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup pretzels
- 1 cup Cheerios cereal
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 1 cup M&Ms
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounces almond bark
- festive sprinkles , optional
Instructions
- Toss together the Chex, pretzels, Cheerios, peanuts and M&Ms until blended. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the almond bark or white chocolate chips until smooth. Heat this very low… white chocolate has more of a tendency to clump if overheated.
- Working in 3 increments, add some melted chocolate, toss, and repeat until the whole mixture is covered.
- Turn it out onto a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet into a single layer and sprinkle with festive sprinkles, if using, while chocolate is still tacky.
- Allow the chocolate to set and then break into pieces and store in an airtight container or bag at room temperature until ready to enjoy.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
Excellent tasting mix! I added crushed peppermints, Kraft caramel bits to it! Great Christmas boxed giveaways!