Reindeer chow is rice cereal coated in a chocolate and peanut butter mix and tossed with powdered sugar then dressed up with red and green M&Ms for a festive and delicious holiday snack!
So these might be fighting words, but is it puppy chow or muddy buddies to you?
I'm a bit of a straddler on this… I grew up with it being called both things by various people so I'm really fine either way.
It's not like "soda" versus "pop," where there is clearly a correct answer. That being "soda" all the way.
Haha, now I'm definitely going to be making some enemies and pushing some buttons!
Similar question for today's recipe though.
Reindeer chow is the classic name I know, and we're basically just talking puppy chow with red and green M&Ms added in for some festive fun.
But recently I learned some people call this Christmas muddy buddies. Which of course makes total sense and is every bit as good a name. I just hadn't heard it before!
Regardless, this will be a new favorite holiday treat for your friends and family!
Just like the original, reindeer chow is incredibly addictive! That chocolate and peanut butter combo, plus the powdered sugar coating and the extra pops of chocolate from the M&Ms. I mean, who could resist?!
Plus, it's just 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes to mix up, so it's super easy to make!
My kiddos definitely won't let another year go by without having some of this Christmas snack mix. They are completely smitten.
So reindeer chow is now a holiday must in our house.
Rice Krispie Christmas wreaths are another. As are Rice Krispie Christmas trees. We make one batch early in the month and another later so we can have them both ways.
And for kiddos, these 3 easy and cute Christmas treats are a must! (They're also simple to make for the creatively challenged like me.)
For all ages though, today's reindeer chow is the perfect handful to grab when you need a little sweet fix. And by handful, I mean handfuls. It's SO addictive and hard to stop eating!
(If you need a savory fix instead, definitely check out our homemade Chex mix. We've made it every year since I was a little girl and I still adore it!)
OK, let's get cooking - or mixing rather - so you can enjoy this deliciousness too!
Recipe Notes:
Microwave: I prefer melting my chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a microwave-safe bowl. It's fast and easy. You can also melt the chocolate in a small pot on the stove over medium-low heat and then stir in the peanut butter until smooth if you prefer.
Mixing bowl: I like to mix the cereal and the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl to easily stir it and get everything evenly coated. However, you can also toss the cereal with the powdered sugar in a large ziploc bag.
Cooling time: Letting the cereal cool for a few minutes after you add the melted chocolate and peanut butter is super helpful. It means the powdered sugar won't just melt onto the cereal, it'll form a white coating around it. Just don't walk off and leave it too long or the powdered sugar won't stick at all.
Powdered sugar: You'll want to start with 1 ¼ cups of powdered sugar to add to the cereal mix. Add an extra ¼ cup as needed, up to 2 full cups total, to make sure everything is well coated and it's adhering.
As for the peanut butter, I've never tried substituting almond butter or another alternative butter. You could certainly try that though if you need this to be peanut-free.
As is, it's also gluten-free because rice Chex is gluten-free naturally. (Most store brand versions are as well, just be sure to check your box.)
I hope you give this reindeer chow a try for a fun and festive holiday treat that everyone will adore! Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Come February, check out this Valentine's Day snack mix, aka Cupid's crunch. Also so addictive, and very pretty!
Reindeer Chow
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 heaping cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ¼ to 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup red and green M&Ms
Instructions
- Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate medium microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the creamy peanut butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. (Add additional 15-30 second intervals as needed to get the chocolate chips melted enough to stir until smooth.)
- Pour the chocolate mix over the Chex cereal and stir well to combine. Let sit for 3-4 minutes to cool slightly. (If you add the powdered sugar too soon, it just melts into the cereal instead of coating it.)
- Add the powdered sugar to the cereal, starting with 1 ¼ cups, stirring to combine and get every piece well coated. Add additional powdered sugar as needed to ensure even coverage.
- Add the M&Ms and stir agin until evenly distributed. (They tend to fall to the bottom because they are heavy, just stir the mixture well to get them incorporated.)
- Store in an airtight container for up to 7-10 days.
LisaB says
We grew up calling it... reindeer poop. LOL
Kathryn Doherty says
Haha, I think my kids are going to enjoy that name a lot! 😊