Name: Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips; 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter; 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal; 1 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms; 1 cup mini peanut butter cups

If you’re looking for a festive treat that instantly uplifts the holiday spirit, you’re going to love this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe. It’s like a magical blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy goodness all wrapped up in a snowy coating of powdered sugar. I first made it years ago for a holiday party, and it quickly became the snack that everyone requested — the perfect combo of sweet, salty, and utterly addictive.

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe is especially great for cozy nights at home, gift-giving, or just a little indulgence while watching Christmas movies. What makes it worth trying is not just the taste but the ease of putting it together — you’ll find it’s a great recipe to whip up even if you don’t consider yourself a baker. Plus, it’s fun to share and makes for adorable holiday packaging if you’re feeling crafty!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to deliver contrasting textures and festive colors, making your Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe both delicious and eye-catching. Most of the items are staples in my pantry around the holidays, so they’re easy to grab while you’re prepping.

Semisweet or dark chocolate chips: The rich chocolate melts perfectly and coats everything for that decadent flavor.
Creamy peanut butter: Don’t swap out for crunchy here — the creaminess helps make smooth clusters.
Rice Chex Cereal: This cereal’s shape is perfect for holding onto all the chocolate-peanut butter goodness.
Mini pretzels: Adds a delightful salty crunch that balances the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: This is the final magic dust that gives the mix its signature snowy look.
Red and green M&Ms: Classic holiday colors bring festivity and little bursts of chocolatey fun.
Mini peanut butter cups: These are like tiny pockets of peanut butter joy scattered throughout.

Variations

I love to play around with this recipe depending on who I’m sharing it with — it’s super flexible! Feel free to swap out some mix-ins or adjust the sweets and salty ratios based on what you and your family prefer.

Nut-free version: I once made this with sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate chips, and it turned out just as tasty without any allergy worries.
Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon powder gives it a surprising, cozy warmth that’s perfect for winter evenings.
Different candies: Try swapping the M&Ms for peppermint pieces or crushed candy canes to amp up the holiday vibe.
Darker chocolate: If you’re a dark chocolate fan like me, go for 70% cacao chips for a richer taste with less sugar.

How to Make Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

Step 1: Melt and Mix the Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Start by combining the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This is the trickiest part to get right — don’t overheat or your chocolate may seize. I find stirring well between bursts helps keep it silky and ready to coat the cereal evenly.

Step 2: Coat the Cereal and Pretzels

Pour the Rice Chex cereal and broken mini pretzels into a large mixing bowl. Immediately pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over them and gently fold everything with a spatula to make sure each piece is well coated without breaking too many pretzels. If you’re gentle here, the texture stays perfect.

Step 3: Add the Powdered Sugar

Transfer the coated mixture into a giant resealable plastic bag or a large container with a lid. Add the powdered sugar, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously. This part makes your crunchy clusters look like winter wonderland treats. It might seem tedious, but trust me, this coating step is crucial to get that classic Christmas Puppy Chow look.

Step 4: Stir in Festive Mix-Ins

Once the powdered sugar is evenly distributed, pour everything into a big bowl and gently fold in the red and green M&Ms along with the mini peanut butter cups. These add bright pops of color and extra flavor that take this recipe from simple snack to holiday celebration.

How to Serve Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

A large white bowl is filled with a mixture of small square-shaped cereal pieces covered in white powdered sugar, scattered with red and green candy-coated chocolates and small round chocolate peanut butter cups. Surrounding the bowl on the white marbled surface are a few small pretzels and more red and green candy-coated chocolates. The overall color palette is white, brown, red, and green, creating a festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually leave this mix as-is because it’s colorful and festive on its own, but a sprinkle of crushed peppermint or a handful of holiday-themed sprinkles can add extra whimsy. I once added edible glitter for a party and everyone loved the sparkle!

Side Dishes

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe pairs beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or a glass of milk. I’ve also served it alongside Christmas cookies and fruit platters as part of a holiday snack table.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I like to portion the mix into clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons. It’s also fun to serve it in festive bowls labeled “Reindeer Food” for kids — they love the magic of it. Using mason jars decorated with holiday stickers works great if you want to gift this as a homemade present too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature — it keeps the clusters crisp for about a week. Avoid refrigeration because the powdered sugar can absorb moisture and make the mix soggy.

Freezing

Freezing the Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe isn’t something I’ve needed often, but when I have, I find it freezes well in a sealed bag without clumping. Just let it thaw at room temperature before serving to bring back the perfect texture.

Reheating

This recipe doesn’t require reheating, which is one of the reasons I love it. If you want the chocolate a bit melty, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave works, but I prefer the crunch cold and fresh.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe?

While you can use crunchy peanut butter, creamy peanut butter is recommended because it melts more smoothly and coats the cereal evenly. Crunchy peanut butter might make the mixture a bit clumpy and harder to distribute.
How long does Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe keep fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container, this recipe stays fresh and crunchy for up to a week at room temperature. Avoid moisture or refrigeration to prevent the mix from getting soggy.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free Rice Chex cereal and ensure your pretzels are gluten-free. Most peanut butter and chocolate chips are naturally gluten-free, just double-check the labels.
What’s the secret to the perfect powdered sugar coating?

Using a large resealable bag and shaking vigorously after adding the powdered sugar helps evenly coat every piece. Make sure the chocolate-peanut butter mixture is warm and liquidy to help the sugar stick well.
Can kids help make this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe?

Definitely! Kids love shaking the powdered sugar step and adding the colorful M&Ms and peanut butter cups. Just supervise the microwave step.

Final Thoughts

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe has been my go-to holiday snack that brings warmth and joy every time I make it. It’s a simple recipe that delivers big smiles, and I bet you’ll find it becomes one of those beloved seasonal treats in your household too. So go ahead, mix it up, share it with loved ones, and enjoy that sweet and salty magic of Christmas in every bite!