Holiday White Chocolate Reindeer Chow – A Festive No-Bake Treat

The holidays call for easy, crowd-pleasing snacks, and this white chocolate reindeer chow delivers every time. It’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and loaded with festive mix-ins that make it look as good as it tastes. You can whip up a big batch in about 15 minutes, and it’s perfect for gift bags, parties, or cozy movie nights.

Kids can help, too, since there’s no baking involved and plenty of mixing and sprinkling to do.

Holiday White Chocolate Reindeer Chow - A Festive No-Bake Treat

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups crisp rice or corn cereal squares (like Chex)
• 2 cups mini pretzels or pretzel sticks, lightly broken
• 1 cup salted roasted peanuts (or mixed nuts)
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup red and green chocolate candies (like holiday M&M’s)
• 12 ounces high-quality white chocolate or vanilla candy coating, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or neutral oil (optional, for smoother melting)
• 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
• Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, to finish)

Method

 

1. Prep your workspace: Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. This is where the chow will set after mixing.
2. Combine the dry mix: In a large bowl, add cereal squares, pretzels, and peanuts. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
3. Add the soft mix-ins: Stir in mini marshmallows and half of the chocolate candies.Save the rest for topping so they stay colorful and intact.
4. Melt the white chocolate: Place the chopped white chocolate and oil (if using) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth. Alternatively, melt in a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, stirring constantly.
5. Coat the mixture: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture.Use a spatula to fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Work quickly so the chocolate doesn’t set before it spreads.
6. Spread and top: Transfer the mixture to the lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate candies and the holiday sprinkles over the top.Add a light pinch of flaky sea salt if you like that sweet-salty pop.
7. Let it set: Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature until firm, about 20–30 minutes. For faster setting, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes.
8. Break into pieces: Once firm, break into chunks. Aim for a mix of larger clusters and bite-sized pieces.
9. Serve or store: Enjoy right away or transfer to airtight containers for later.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

• Quick and easy: It comes together fast, with simple pantry ingredients and no oven required.
• Irresistible texture: Crunchy cereal, pretzels, and peanuts coated in smooth white chocolate with festive candy pieces.
• Highly customizable: Swap in your favorite add-ins—perfect for allergies, taste preferences, or what you already have at home.
• Great for gifting: Stays fresh for days and looks adorable in jars or treat bags with a ribbon.
• Holiday-ready: Red and green candies plus sprinkles make it instantly seasonal and party-friendly.

Ingredients

• 6 cups crisp rice or corn cereal squares (like Chex)
• 2 cups mini pretzels or pretzel sticks, lightly broken
• 1 cup salted roasted peanuts (or mixed nuts)
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup red and green chocolate candies (like holiday M&M’s)
• 12 ounces high-quality white chocolate or vanilla candy coating, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or neutral oil (optional, for smoother melting)
• 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
• Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, to finish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep your workspace: Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. This is where the chow will set after mixing.
2. Combine the dry mix: In a large bowl, add cereal squares, pretzels, and peanuts. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
3. Add the soft mix-ins: Stir in mini marshmallows and half of the chocolate candies.Save the rest for topping so they stay colorful and intact.
4. Melt the white chocolate: Place the chopped white chocolate and oil (if using) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth. Alternatively, melt in a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, stirring constantly.
5. Coat the mixture: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture.Use a spatula to fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Work quickly so the chocolate doesn’t set before it spreads.
6. Spread and top: Transfer the mixture to the lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate candies and the holiday sprinkles over the top.Add a light pinch of flaky sea salt if you like that sweet-salty pop.
7. Let it set: Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature until firm, about 20–30 minutes. For faster setting, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes.
8. Break into pieces: Once firm, break into chunks. Aim for a mix of larger clusters and bite-sized pieces.
9. Serve or store: Enjoy right away or transfer to airtight containers for later.

Keeping It Fresh

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5–7 days.Keep it away from heat to prevent melting.
• Refrigerator: Optional, but helpful in warm homes. If chilled, bring to room temp before serving for the best texture.
• Freezer: Freeze in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature in the sealed bag to avoid condensation.
• Gift storage: For treat bags, add a small piece of parchment inside to limit sticking, and close them tightly after filling.

Benefits of This Recipe

• No-bake convenience: Perfect when your oven is busy with cookies and roasts.
• Kid-friendly: Safe, simple steps that are fun for little helpers—stirring, sprinkling, and taste-testing.
• Budget-friendly: Uses common, affordable ingredients and stretches to feed a crowd.
• Scalable: Double or triple the recipe with minimal extra effort.
• Festive presentation: Colorful add-ins and sprinkles make it instantly holiday-ready without fancy decorating.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Overheating the chocolate: White chocolate burns easily.Melt low and slow, stirring often, and stop as soon as it’s smooth.
• Moisture in the bowl: Even a drop of water can seize the chocolate. Make sure your bowl and utensils are completely dry.
• Mixing too aggressively: Gentle folding prevents crushing the cereal and pretzels, which keeps the texture crunchy.
• Adding all candies before mixing: They can bleed color or crack. Mix in half and use the rest as a bright, clean topping.
• Skipping the lining: Without parchment or wax paper, the chow sticks to the tray and breaks messily.

Alternatives

• Different cereals: Use corn or rice squares, honey oats, or a mix.Avoid super sugary cereals—they can overpower the white chocolate.
• Nuts and seeds: Swap peanuts for almonds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds. For nut-free, use sunflower seeds and extra pretzels.
• Flavor twists: Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the chocolate, or fold in crushed peppermint candies for a minty version.
• Chocolate options: Try half white chocolate and half semi-sweet for a marbled look. Drizzle extra dark chocolate over the top for contrast.
• Fruity add-ins: Dried cranberries or cherries add tart chewiness and holiday color.Keep amounts modest so the mix stays crunchy.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free cereal and pretzels, and check candy labels.
• Dairy-free: Choose dairy-free white baking chips and verify all add-ins are dairy-free.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. It keeps well for several days in an airtight container. If you’re gifting, make it 1–3 days in advance for the freshest texture.

What’s the best white chocolate to use?

Use real white chocolate made with cocoa butter for the best flavor and melt, or a quality candy coating for easier handling.

Bars and wafers melt more evenly than chips.

How do I fix seized chocolate?

If your chocolate clumps and turns grainy, it likely encountered moisture or overheated. Try whisking in 1 teaspoon of warm neutral oil at a time until smooth. If it’s badly seized, start a new batch.

How can I prevent the mix from getting soggy?

Don’t overload with wet or sticky add-ins, and let the coated mix set fully before storing.

Keep it in a cool, dry place and avoid refrigeration unless your kitchen is warm.

Can I halve or double the recipe?

Absolutely. Just use a bigger bowl and multiple lined sheets for larger batches so you can spread the mixture thin enough to set quickly and evenly.

Is there a peanut-free version?

Yes. Replace peanuts with extra pretzels, corn nuts, or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.

Check candy labels to ensure they’re made in a peanut-free facility if needed.

How do I package this for gifts?

Fill cellophane bags, mason jars, or tins. Add a square of parchment at the bottom, and seal well. A simple tag with the name and “Contains: [allergens]” is a helpful touch.

Final Thoughts

Holiday White Chocolate Reindeer Chow is the kind of treat that disappears fast and makes the season feel a little more fun.

It’s easy to tweak, easy to share, and easy to love. Keep a batch on hand for last-minute guests, gifting, or your own sweet tooth. With a few simple ingredients and a bowl, you’ll have a festive snack that tastes like holiday cheer.