Name: Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
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

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.

This image shows a white bowl filled with a mix of small square and round cereal pieces covered in a light dusting of powdered sugar, giving them a slightly rough texture. Scattered throughout the bowl are bright green and red candy-coated chocolate pieces that add pops of color against the mostly brown and white cereal. Some whole and broken miniature peanut butter cups are also mixed in, showing smooth chocolate surfaces and ridged edges. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a few candies and peanut butter cups placed nearby for decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

A large white bowl filled with a snack mix that has multiple layers: square and round cereal pieces covered in white powdered sugar form the main layer, mixed with small green and red candy-coated chocolates evenly spread throughout. Next to the bowl, on the white marbled surface, are scattered a few loose candies and peanut butter cup pieces. A small white bowl filled with more red and green candies and peanut butter cups is seen at the bottom right corner, and a glass jar with a metal clasp also contains the snack mix at the bottom left. In the top left, there is a green glass with milk, and a beige cloth is spread in the background. A silver spoon is partially inserted into the large bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a large white ceramic bowl filled with golden corn Chex cereal, a small white bowl of creamy peanut butter, a small white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl containing smooth butter, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white bowl with glossy red and green M&M’s, and a small white bowl holding mini peanut butter cups, all arranged in balanced symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Food - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use a different type of nut butter in this recipe?

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.

Is this recipe safe for kids to eat and handle?

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.

How long does this reindeer food stay fresh?

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.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance for holiday gifts?

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.