There’s something truly magical about sprinkling a sweet, crunchy mix outside on Christmas Eve—and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe I’m sharing today adds an extra festive twist with its rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors. It’s not just tasty; it’s a treat that invites a little holiday wonder into your home.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe every holiday season for years now, and what keeps bringing me back is how easy it is and how fun it feels to share. Plus, the combination of chocolate and peanut butter with crunchy cereal? Pure comfort for all ages!
- Perfect Crunch & Sweet Balance: Using Chex cereal gives a wonderful crispy texture that holds up well to the chocolate coating.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The colorful red and green M&M’s add an extra touch of festive joy that kids absolutely adore sprinkling around.
- Simple & Quick to Make: You can whip this up in under 20 minutes with just a handful of ingredients—great for last-minute holiday prep.
- Customizable & Allergy Friendly: I’ll share a peanut butter swap and other tweaks so everyone can enjoy it safely.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe plays a role in creating a snack that’s perfectly sweet, nutty, and textured. Here’s why I love these components and a few tips for choosing the best versions.
- Corn or Rice Chex Cereal: The classic base for this “puppy chow” style snack—crisp and light, it holds up well under the chocolate coating without getting soggy.
- Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to help melt and evenly coat the peanut butter and chocolate.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Goes beyond flavor—its creamy texture blends perfectly with the melted chocolate for that indulgent, peanutty taste.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: I like semi-sweet for balance—it’s not too sweet, allowing the peanut butter flavor to shine through.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash brightens and deepens the flavor, making that chocolate-peanut butter mix sing.
- Powdered Sugar: This is the secret that transforms the mixture into that delightful, slightly powdery “reindeer food” you get hooked on.
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups: These little extras add fun bites of gooey peanut butter and chocolate, making the mix extra indulgent.
- Red and Green M&M’s: The festive colors bring holiday cheer, plus a nice candy crunch contrast.
Make It Your Way
I love tinkering with this Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe to suit my mood or who I’m serving it to. Feel free to customize the mix by swapping out candies or nut butters to make it your own—trust me, it only adds to the fun!
- Variation: One year I swapped out peanut butter for almond butter to accommodate a friend’s allergy, and honestly, it was a huge hit—just as delicious but slightly different!
- Dietary Tip: Use dairy-free chocolate chips if you're aiming for a vegan version; just make sure to double-check the powdered sugar brand for bone char processing.
- Festive Twist: Try adding mini candy canes crushed gently for a minty surprise.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Magic
Start by melting the butter, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate chips together in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently to make sure everything melts smoothly and combines without scorching. This step sets the silky base that coats every crisp Chex piece—watch closely, because you don’t want the chocolate to burn!
Step 2: Sweeten and Stir
Once everything is melted and smooth, take the pan off the heat and add the vanilla extract. Stir it in thoroughly—this little splash of vanilla adds warmth and balance to the rich chocolate-peanut butter blend.
Step 3: Coat the Crunch
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over your bowl of Chex cereal (8 cups is perfect for this recipe). Use a spatula to gently stir and turn the cereal so every piece gets coated with that luscious mixture. Take your time here; each piece should have an even, shiny layer.
Step 4: The Powdered Sugar Finish
Next, sprinkle 1½ cups of powdered sugar over the coated cereal. Stir gently but thoroughly until the powdery sugar covers every morsel. You’ll notice the mixture get less sticky—this is what makes it perfect for sprinkling outside or munching as a festive snack.
Step 5: Add the Festive Extras
Finally, fold in the mini peanut butter cups and red and green M&M’s. These add color, texture, and extra bursts of flavor that make this recipe feel truly special and holiday-ready. Mix carefully so you don’t crush the candies.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe extra fail-proof and delicious every time—these helped me avoid sticky messes and keep the candy mix intact.
- Low & Slow Melting: Keeping the heat low ensures chocolate and peanut butter melt evenly without burning.
- Powdered Sugar Patience: Don’t rush coating with powdered sugar—mix gently and patiently to avoid crushing the cereal.
- Candy Fold-In: Always fold candies in last to prevent them from melting or breaking.
- Cooling Time: Let the mix cool fully before storing to keep the coating crisp and not clumpy.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
Garnishes
I typically keep it simple—those festive red and green M&M’s are enough to add charm. Sometimes I sprinkle a few edible glitter stars on top if I’m sharing at a party to amp up the sparkle and make it feel extra special.
Side Dishes
This is really a standalone snack, but I’ve enjoyed it alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk for dipping—both pair so well with the rich, sweet flavors. It also works great as part of a holiday snack board with nuts and dried fruits.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive gifting or a holiday table, I like presenting the reindeer food in clear glass jars tied with a ribbon and a handwritten tag—it just feels so cozy and inviting. You can also portion it into little cellophane bags with candy cane tags for kids to take home as party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. From my experience, it stays fresh and crunchy for up to a week—just be sure to keep it away from heat and humidity to avoid melting or sogginess.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this mix a couple of times when I needed to prep early. Pack it tightly in a freezer-safe bag or container, and it freezes well for up to two months. Just let it come to room temperature before serving to restore that perfect texture.
Reheating
Reheating isn't really necessary because this snack is best enjoyed at room temp. But if the chocolate seems a bit hard after freezing, just let it sit out for 20 minutes to soften naturally. Avoid microwaving to prevent melting the candy components.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I’ve personally swapped peanut butter with almond butter and cashew butter with great results. Just make sure the nut butter you choose is creamy for smooth melting.
Yes, it’s a kid-friendly recipe that’s safe to eat and also fun for kids to help assemble—just be mindful if there are any nut allergies in your group and adjust accordingly.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it will stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week. Just keep it away from heat and moisture to maintain the best texture.
Definitely! This recipe is great for making ahead. Stored properly in airtight containers or gift bags, it keeps well and makes a thoughtful, delicious homemade gift that friends and family will cherish.
Final Thoughts
Really, few things capture the festive spirit better than this Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe. It’s sweet, crunchy, and full of joyful colors that kids and adults alike will love. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s truly one of those little holiday traditions that brings a lot of happiness and a touch of magic to the season.
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Reindeer Food is a festive, sweet snack mix featuring crunchy Chex cereal coated in a smooth blend of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla, then dusted with powdered sugar and mixed with colorful mini peanut butter cups and red and green M&M’s. This easy-to-make holiday treat is perfect for sharing or gifting during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups corn or rice Chex cereal
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
- 1 ½ cups red and green M&M’s
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the pan from heat.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture until fully combined.
- Prepare Cereal Base: Place the Chex cereal in a large bowl.
- Coat Cereal: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir gently until all cereal pieces are fully coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle the powdered sugar over the coated cereal and stir until every piece is completely covered, eliminating any stickiness from the chocolate mixture.
- Fold in Extras: Carefully fold in the mini peanut butter cups and red and green M&M’s until they are evenly distributed throughout the mix.
Notes
- You can use almond butter instead of peanut butter for peanut allergies.
- A double boiler can be used as an alternative method to melt the chocolate chips smoothly.
- Store the reindeer food in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- To freeze, place the mix in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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