The holidays are a time for warmth, joy, and shared moments that linger long after the decorations are taken down. Imagine the aroma of melting white chocolate swirling through the air as you prepare a crunchy, sweet, and salty treat. The visuals of vibrant red and green M&M’s sparkling like holiday lights among a mix of buttery pretzels and crispy Bugles can make anyone feel festive. This Christmas Snack Mix brings together all those delightful textures and flavors, and with only ten minutes of prep time, you’ll have a festive masterpiece ready to share.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Christmas Snack Mix
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Christmas Snack Mix

Every year during the holidays, my family comes together, transforming the kitchen into a buzzing hive of laughter and lighthearted competition over who will make the best treats. This Christmas Snack Mix quickly became a favorite among our group—partly because it’s so simple to put together and partly because it captivates both young and old with its crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. With every handful, you’ll experience the spirit of the season. Dive in and create your own batch; your holiday festivities will thank you!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Only takes about 10 minutes to whip up, so you can spend more time enjoying the season.
Irresistible Flavor: A delightful mix of sweet white chocolate, salty pretzels, and crunchy Bugles for a perfect flavor balance.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The red and green colors create a festive treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Flexible Serving: Enjoy it as a quick snack, share it at parties, or even sprinkle it on breakfast dishes for a sprinkle of joy!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily make gluten-free by choosing gluten-free pretzels and check for dairy-free white chocolate options.

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 cups Rice Chex cereal: This gluten-free cereal provides a sturdy base that remains crunchy even after coating.
2 cups mini pretzels: Choose twisted or stick-shaped for added crunch; they contribute a delightful salty contrast.
3 cups Bugles corn chips: Their unique horn shape adds both fun and crunch—perfect for scooping up that white chocolate.
2 cups red and green M&M’s: Not only do they provide a pop of color, but their sweetness complements the salty elements beautifully.
24 ounces white chocolate chips: Use high-quality chocolate that melts smooth—Baker’s or Ghirardelli work best.
2 Tablespoons red and green sprinkles: These sprinkles are the festive finishing touch that makes this mix truly special.

How to Make Christmas Snack Mix

Prepare and Line: Start by preparing your workspace. Grab a large baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. This step is crucial; it ensures your mix cools evenly and doesn’t stick together.

Mix Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, mini pretzels, Bugles, and M&M’s. Using clean hands, gently toss them together until they’re well-mixed. You want the colors and textures evenly distributed—just imagine that crispy goodness coming together!

Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, place the white chocolate chips. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, give it a good stir, then continue melting in 15-second intervals, stirring each time until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. The goal is to achieve a silky consistency—don’t rush it!

Coat the Mix: Once your white chocolate is melted, pour it over the cereal mixture. Use a large spoon or your clean hands to gently toss everything together, ensuring each piece is coated in that luscious chocolate. This adds a delightful sweetness that ties all the elements together!

Spread & Sprinkle: Once well-coated, spread the mix onto your lined baking sheet. While it’s still wet, toss a handful of extra red and green M&M’s along with the festive sprinkles on top. This creates a beautiful visual—perfect for sharing with friends and family!

Set to Enjoy: Allow the mix to set at room temperature until the chocolate hardens—this usually takes about 30 minutes. Once set, break it into clusters and it’s ready for serving! This simple step ensures that each bite is perfectly chocolatey and delightful.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Christmas Snack Mix fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If you want to keep it longer, move it to the fridge where it can last for up to 2 weeks. For long-term storage, feel free to freeze the mix in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply pull it out and let it come back to room temperature. Keep in mind the chocolate may lose some of its original snap, but a quick toss back into the oven for a few minutes can help refresh those textures!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid burning the white chocolate; microwave it gently and stir often for the best texture.
To create clusters, gently squeeze small handfuls when mixing—this way they hold together nicely.
Keep your ingredients room temperature for even mixing; cold cereal doesn’t coat as well!
If you like a bit more sweetness, consider adding some crushed candy canes for an extra festive kick.
Want to make it ahead? You can prepare it a week in advance; just store it as described earlier.

A simple blend of holiday cheer and crunchy textures, this Christmas Snack Mix is sure to become a staple in your festive celebrations. Experiment with the ingredients—feel free to swap in your favorite nuts or dried fruits! It’s a fun and rewarding way to celebrate the season with sweet, salty, and delicious joy in every bite.

Recipe FAQs

How long will this Christmas Snack Mix last?

This snack mix can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week. If refrigerated, it can last up to two weeks, but it’s usually gobbled up much faster! Freezing extends its shelf life to about three months, making it a perfect make-ahead treat.

Can I make this snack mix gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just ensure you select gluten-free Rice Chex and mini pretzels. Bugles are also typically gluten-free, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the packaging. This way, everyone can enjoy it during the holidays.

Can I add other mix-ins to this recipe?

Definitely! Feel free to get creative—add nuts, dried fruits, or even other types of chocolate. The beauty of this Christmas Snack Mix is its flexibility, allowing you to customize it based on what you love or what you have on hand.

What can I serve this mix with?

This mix is fantastic on its own, but you can also serve it in festive bowls at holiday parties, or package it in cute gift bags for friends and family. Pair it with hot cocoa for a cozy winter treat or add it to breakfast yogurt for a fun crunchy twist!

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Christmas Snack Mix

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Author: Nadia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 12 cups 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Mixing and Coating
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Christmas Snack Mix combines sweet white chocolate, salty pretzels, and vibrant M&M’s for an irresistible holiday treat that’s easy to make and share.

Ingredients

Scale

8 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
3 cups Bugles corn chips
2 cups red and green M&M's
24 ounces white chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons red and green sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare your workspace and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine Rice Chex, mini pretzels, Bugles, and M&M's. Toss gently.
Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring frequently until smooth.
Pour melted chocolate over the mix and toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
Spread the mixture onto the lined baking sheet and sprinkle with extra M&M's and sprinkles.
Allow to set at room temperature until chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.

Notes

For an added crunch, squeeze mix into clusters before setting.
Use high-quality white chocolate for the best melting and flavor.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a week.