Reindeer Chow is a tasty mix of peanut butter and chocolate-coated cereal, M&M’s, and mini Reese’s cups. If Santa gets cookies, his reindeer deserve a treat too!
Other favorite holiday treats include Oreo Truffles, Microwave Fudge, or Christmas Snack Mix.
Fun And Festive Reindeer Chow
Muddy Buddies (or Puppy Chow) is hands down, one of my kids’ favorite treats; they’ll ask for it almost weekly! So if there’s an excuse to jazz it up for Christmas, it’s a done deal at my home.
Ingredients In Reindeer Chow
- Rice Chex: Use Rice or Corn Chex (or a similar cereal).
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Any smooth nut butter works here.
- Chocolate Chips: Use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips.
- Unsalted Butter: This helps control the salt level.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a light vanilla flavor to the mix.
- Powdered Sugar: Gives the cereal a sweet, powdery coating.
- Optional Add-Ins (Christmas-colored M&M’s, Mini Peanut Butter Cups): These add extra crunch, flavor, and holiday colors to the mix.
How To Make Reindeer Chow
- Get Cereal Ready: Pour rice cereal into a big bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: In another bowl, add peanut butter, chocolate, and butter.
- Melt: Microwave in short bursts, stirring until it’s smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Coat Cereal: Pour the melted mixture over the cereal, stirring until everything’s coated.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Put half of the coated cereal in a bag, add powdered sugar, and shake. Do the same with the rest.
- Add Toppings: Pour the mix into a bowl and add any toppings you like. Enjoy!
Variations
Variations
- Reindeer Chow without peanut butter: Use white chocolate chips instead of peanut butter, and swap mini peanut butter cups with another small chocolate candy (like Whoppers®) or mini marshmallows.
- Make it salty: Add some mini pretzel twists for a salty crunch.
- Change the chocolate: I love milk chocolate in Reindeer Chow, but use any kind you like best!
Storage
How To Store Reindeer Chow
Leftovers: Keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to a week, but it’s best within 3–4 days.
Frozen Treat: Freeze Muddy Buddies for an hour, then store for up to 2 months. Enjoy them cold or after letting them thaw.
More Holiday Fun
- Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Oreo Pops
- Christmas Mason Jar Gift Ideas
- Mexican Wedding Cookies
- Christmas Candies
Reindeer Chow
Santa gets cookies, but his reindeer deserve more than oats! Reindeer Chow mixes chocolate-peanut butter Chex with M&M’s and mini Reese's cups—a perfect holiday snack!
Equipment
- Gallon-sized, resealable plastic bag
Ingredients
- 9 cups toasted rice cereal like Rice Chex
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips milk or semisweet, I like Guittard or Ghirardelli
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Additions
- 1 bag (12 ounces) Christmas-colored M&M’s can use peanut butter or peanut M&M’s for extra peanut butter!
- 2 cups mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Measure cereal into a large bowl; set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring between each burst for 15 seconds, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Pour over the prepared cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Pour half the cereal mixture into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag, and pour half the powdered sugar over it. Seal and shake until the cereal is evenly coated. Repeat with the other half of the cereal and powdered sugar in the same or a different bag. Shake until all the cereal is well coated.
- Empty the mix into a large bowl, and add in the M&M’s and miniature Reese’s cups.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store leftover Reindeer Chow in an airtight container at room temperature—or in the freezer if you like it chilled.
Nutrition
Serving: 8servings | Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 62.9g | Protein: 6.7g | Fat: 20.1g | Cholesterol: 18.9mg | Sodium: 331.4mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 35.4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks yummy!!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Great recipe made a bunch for Christmas everyone Loved it. Thank You
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Emily! 🙂
How long does this last? Cheers
It can last up to 3 weeks if it’s properly sealed! Leave out the candy add-ins and it will store in your freezer for months!
This is easy to make. Also pretty and very tasty. Choose your favorite candy brake up cookies yum try it have fun merry Christmas
Thanks Donna! 🙂
fun to serve, even make, thank you!