Hot Chocolate Snack Mix is inspired by our favorite chilly weather beverage — hot chocolate! Chocolate Chex® cereal is coated in melted chocolate and tossed with a hot cocoa powdered sugar blend. Add in some white chocolate-covered marshmallows and chocolate chips for an unforgettable snack mix!
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
My kids are obsessed with Muddy Buddies, and while I’ll never get sick of them, I like coming up with fun variations to switch things up occasionally. This fun blend is inspired by a cup of hot chocolate; in fact, we even use a packet of hot chocolate mix to coat the cereal in!
This snack mix is ridiculously easy and it can be ready to serve in no time at all. It makes the perfect treat to share and great for holiday events or gatherings.
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix Tips
- Using high-quality chocolate chips for a better melt and a richer taste. My favorite is Ghirardelli® or Guittard® (not sponsored).
- Microwave chocolate chips in sturdy, microwave–safe (glass) bowls, instead of using plastic or melamine.
- Use fresh marshmallows. The fresher the marshmallows, the softer and more enjoyable the coated marshmallows will be. When purchasing, feel the bags to find the softest marshmallows.
- Control sweetness. This snack mix is sweet! If you’d prefer a less-sweet mix, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Swap out the Chocolate Chex cereal for plain Rice Chex.
Quick Tip
Be careful when melting chocolate, because if a drop of water gets in it, it may seize–get hard and grainy. And it can turn cloudy and sticky if overheated. Prevent ruined chocolate by proceeding gradually.
Our favorite additions to this snack mix
White-chocolate covered marshmallows make the perfect pairing for the cocoa-covered chocolate cereal. While there isn’t really a need for any other additions, below are some of our favorite ways to jazz up this hot chocolate snack mix:
- Add in 1/2 cup dehydrated marshmallows (see “quick tip” below)
- Add in 1 cup of Sno-Cap® candies or Chocolate Nonpareils (Here’s how the mix looks with these added in)
- Coarsely break up Pirouette® cookies and add 1 cup to the mix (we love dipping Pirouette cookies in hot chocolate and they’re delicious in this hot chocolate snack mix!)
- Add in 1 cup miniature chocolate chips (Here’s how the mix looks with these added in)
Quick Tip
Dehydrated marshmallows are dried marshmallows (sometimes called “mallow bits“). They are hard, crunchy, dried marshmallows (think the marshmallow bits in Lucky Charms cereal). Find them near hot chocolate mixes in the grocery store or purchased online.
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix Storage
To store this Hot Chocolate Snack Mix, place in an airtight container (I like using Mason jars or Weck® mold jars). Keep the container in a cool dry place for up to a week (because of the marshmallows in it, we like it best within 1-2 days).
Freeze leftover snack mix can (without the marshmallows) in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.
More Christmas Treats
- Christmas Snack Mix with Christmas M&M’s
- Toffee with sugared almonds
- Christmas Oreo Pops four different variations
- Honeycomb Candy with chocolate coating
- Brigadeiros fudgy chocolate truffles
Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
Ingredients
Snack Mix
- 8 cups Chocolate Chex cereal
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup hot cocoa mix (with marshmallows) (~1 and 1/2 packets)
- 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
White Chocolate Marshmallows
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- Optional additions: 1/2 cup dehydrated marshmallows, 1 cup Sno-Cap candies, 1 cup coarsely broken up pirouette cookies
Instructions
- PREP: Line a large sheet pan with a Silpat liner or parchment paper and set aside. Set out a large (2-gallon) freezer bag and a very large bowl.
- CEREAL: Measure out the cereal into the large bowl and set aside.
- HOT COCOA AND POWDERED SUGAR: In a small bowl, add the hot cocoa mix and powdered sugar. Stir to combine. Pour into the prepared freezer bag.
- CHOCOLATE: In medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the milk chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Microwave, in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds, or until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Once fully melted and smooth, pour over the measured cereal. Gently stir to generously coat the cereal in the melted chocolate.
- COAT CEREAL: Pour cereal into the bag on top of the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix. Seal the bag (do not squeeze air out of the bag) and then shake to coat the cereal in the mix. Once cereal is generously coated, pour back into a large bowl or serving bowl. Set aside.
- WHITE-CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOWS: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Melt, in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds, or until white chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Stir the marshmallows into the white chocolate until marshmallows are well coated. Spread out the marshmallows onto the prepared pan. Put the pan in the fridge or freezer for about 10 minutes or let the tray stand at room temperature for 30 minutes until chocolate is set. Gently break apart and add to the serving bowl.
- FINISH MIX: If desired, add any other toppings such as the dehydrated marshmallows, Sno-Cap candies, or broken up pirouette cookies.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
