Merry M&M Chex Mix

The holiday season calls for treats that are both delightful and easy to prepare. Look no further than this incredibly festive and addictive Christmas Chex Mix recipe with M&M’s! It’s the ultimate sweet and salty concoction, combining crisp cereals, crunchy pretzels, savory roasted peanuts, soft mini marshmallows, and vibrant red and green M&M’s, all generously coated in a decadent layer of creamy white chocolate. This delightful snack isn’t just a crowd-pleaser; it’s a versatile treat perfect for holiday parties, adding to cookie trays, or packaging as thoughtful homemade gifts. Its quick preparation and excellent storage capabilities mean you can easily whip up a large batch well in advance, ensuring you have a festive snack ready to enjoy throughout the entire holiday season.

One of the most appealing aspects of creating this Christmas Chex Mix is its incredible adaptability. Whether you’re catering to specific tastes or matching a holiday theme, this recipe allows for endless customization. Feel free to experiment with different types of cereals, swap in your preferred nuts for an extra layer of crunch, or incorporate other seasonal candies and sprinkles to perfectly complement your festive decor. This no-bake treat effortlessly comes together, making it an ideal candidate for preparing ahead of time. It also pairs wonderfully with other holiday favorites; consider serving it alongside a Christmas tree charcuterie cone for an impressive and colorful snack spread that will surely wow your guests. Beyond snacking, this Christmas Chex Mix transforms into a cherished homemade gift. Simply portion it into decorative jars or cellophane bags, add a festive tag, and you’ll have a delightful present ready to share with friends, family, teachers, or even your hardworking delivery person.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Festive Chex Mix

There are countless reasons why this Christmas Chex Mix is destined to become a beloved staple in your holiday repertoire. From its irresistible flavors to its sheer convenience, it truly embodies the spirit of festive snacking:

• The Ultimate Sweet and Salty Harmony: If you’re a fan of flavors that dance between savory and sweet, prepare to be delighted. This Christmas Chex Mix expertly balances the crunch of salty pretzels and roasted peanuts with the sweetness of white chocolate and M&M’s, creating a truly addictive snack that satisfies every craving. It’s a taste sensation that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Effortlessly Perfect for Parties: Hosting during the holidays can be stressful, but preparing snacks doesn’t have to be. This Chex Mix is incredibly easy to make in large quantities, making it an ideal offering for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or family get-togethers. Its vibrant colors naturally add a festive touch to any snack table, and its grab-and-go nature makes it a perfect finger food. Plus, because it’s so quick to prepare, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating with loved ones.
• A Thoughtful and Delicious Gift: Handmade gifts carry a special charm, and this Christmas Chex Mix is no exception. Beautifully packaged in a Mason jar, decorative tin, or a simple cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, it makes a wonderfully personal and delicious present. It’s perfect for neighbors, teachers, colleagues, secret Santa exchanges, or anyone deserving of a sweet gesture during the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone appreciates a gift made with love, especially one they can immediately enjoy!
• Simple to Customize: The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. It’s a fantastic base for creativity, allowing you to easily adjust ingredients to suit dietary preferences or simply to try new flavor combinations. This adaptability ensures that your Christmas Chex Mix can be a unique reflection of your taste year after year.
• No-Bake Brilliance: Free up your oven for other holiday baking! This Chex Mix is entirely no-bake, requiring just a microwave to melt the chocolate. This makes it a fantastic recipe for busy holiday schedules, or for getting kids involved in the kitchen without the heat of an oven.

Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Chex Mix

Crafting this irresistible holiday snack begins with selecting the right mix of crunchy, sweet, and salty components. Here’s a closer look at the essential ingredients and some fantastic substitution ideas to make it your own:

• Chex Cereal: The foundation of our mix! You have a wonderful variety to choose from. Feel free to use Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, or a delightful combination of two or three types for varied textures and flavors. Each offers a different subtle note and crunch, enhancing the overall experience.
• Pretzels: Small pretzel grids or sticks are ideal here, as their size allows them to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients, ensuring a balanced bite every time. They contribute that essential salty crunch that makes this mix so addictive.
• Nuts: Honey-roasted peanuts are our go-to for their irresistible sweet and savory profile and satisfying crunch. However, the choice is yours! Almonds, cashews, or even pecans would be equally delicious. For those needing a nut-free snack, simply omit the nuts entirely or substitute with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar textural element. Alternatively, consider making a batch of funnel cake with Bisquick and dusting it with colored sugar for another festive, nut-free option!
• Mini Marshmallows: These tiny puffs of sweetness add a soft, chewy contrast to the crunchy components. They also help bind the mix together slightly when coated in chocolate, creating delightful clusters.
• Christmas M&M’s: The iconic red and green candies are crucial for giving this snack mix its undeniable holiday cheer and a burst of chocolatey flavor. If you can’t find specific holiday-themed bags, a fun (and slightly meditative) activity is to pick out the red and green M&M’s from a regular bag. Alternatively, any small, festive candy will work!
• Powdered Sugar: A touch of powdered sugar helps to slightly sweeten the cereal and pretzels before the chocolate coating, and can also contribute to a slightly “cracked” or snowy look once mixed.
• Melted Butter: Just a small amount of melted butter helps the powdered sugar adhere to the cereal mixture and adds a rich, subtle flavor base.
• White Chocolate Chips: The star of the coating! White chocolate chips melt into a smooth, creamy glaze that envelops all the ingredients. While any chocolate works, white chocolate provides the perfect canvas for the vibrant M&M’s and festive additions, making it visually striking and incredibly decadent.

Customization & Creative Variations

The beauty of this Christmas Chex Mix is its incredible versatility. Don’t hesitate to get creative and tailor it to your liking or to suit specific occasions:

• Experiment with Different Cereals: While Chex is the classic base, other cereals can bring exciting new textures and flavors. Try crispy rice cereal for a lighter crunch, or venture into flavored varieties like peanut butter Cap’n Crunch or Honey Nut Cheerios for an extra layer of sweetness and complexity. A mix of different Chex flavors (corn, wheat, rice) also adds depth.
• Boost the Crunch or Chew:
  • For extra crunch, consider adding different types of nuts such as almonds, cashews, or walnuts. You could also include popcorn, toasted coconut flakes, or even crunchy fried onions (for a savory twist, though maybe not for this sweet version!).
  • For a delightful chewiness and natural sweetness, incorporate dried fruits like cranberries, cherries, or diced apricots. Mini pretzels sticks, goldfish crackers, or even small cheese crackers can add a savory element to a more traditional Chex mix, but for this Christmas version, stick to sweet additions like dried fruit.
• More Festive Candy Fun:
  • Amp up the sweetness and color by mixing in crushed candy canes for a refreshing peppermint kick.
  • Mini peanut butter cups, chopped chocolate caramels, or additional holiday-themed chocolate candies can elevate the indulgence.
  • Instead of just M&M’s, you could use holiday sprinkles or nonpareils for a truly dazzling effect, particularly if added while the chocolate is still wet.
• Explore Different Chocolate Coatings: If white chocolate isn’t your preference, this recipe is equally delicious with other chocolate varieties. Milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips can be melted and used for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor. You could even do a drizzle of both white and dark chocolate for a marbled effect.
• Add a Special Topping: Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles, edible glitter, or more crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch that looks as good as it tastes.

For even more seasonal snack ideas, don’t forget our Halloween snack mix recipe, perfect for your next spooky party!

Essential Equipment for Your Holiday Snack

Making this delightful Christmas Chex Mix requires only a few basic kitchen tools. Gathering these items beforehand will ensure a smooth and efficient preparation process:

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all your dry ingredients and then coating them evenly with melted white chocolate. Opt for one large enough to allow for thorough stirring without spills.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used specifically for melting your white chocolate chips. A medium-sized bowl will work perfectly.
• Baking Sheet: You’ll need a large baking sheet to spread out the coated Chex mix for cooling. This provides ample surface area for the chocolate to set properly.
• Parchment Paper (Optional, but Recommended): Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper is highly recommended. It prevents the sticky chocolate-coated mix from adhering to the pan, makes cleanup a breeze, and allows for easy removal and breaking apart of the cooled clusters.
• Rubber Spatula or Large Spoon: Crucial for stirring the ingredients and especially for scraping down the sides of the bowl when working with the melted chocolate to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Christmas Chex Mix

This irresistible Christmas Chex Mix comes together quickly and easily, making it the perfect no-fuss holiday treat. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Prepare Your Mix and Pan: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the Chex cereal, pretzels, honey-roasted peanuts, mini marshmallows, Christmas M&M’s, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Stir gently with a large spoon or spatula until all these dry ingredients are well combined and the powdered sugar and butter are somewhat distributed. Next, prepare your baking sheet by either lightly greasing it with cooking spray or, even better, lining it with parchment paper for effortless removal and cleanup. Set this aside.

2. Melt the White Chocolate with Care: Place your white chocolate chips into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them in short intervals to prevent burning and seizing. Start with 30 seconds, then remove and stir thoroughly. Continue microwaving in 15-20 second increments, stirring well after each, until the white chocolate is completely smooth and creamy with no lumps remaining. It’s crucial not to rush this step; slow and steady melting ensures a perfect, pourable consistency. If you melt it too quickly or overheat it, the chocolate can become grainy or separate, affecting the final texture of your Chex Mix.

3. Combine and Cool: Once the white chocolate is perfectly melted, pour it evenly over the cereal mixture in the large bowl. Using your spatula, gently but thoroughly stir until every piece of cereal, pretzel, and nut is completely coated in the luscious white chocolate. The goal is an even, consistent coating. Immediately transfer the mixture to your prepared baking sheet and use the spatula to spread it into a single layer, aiming for about 1 inch thick across the pan. If you’re adding crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles, now is the time to sprinkle them generously over the wet chocolate. Allow the mix to cool completely at room temperature until the white chocolate has hardened and set. This will take at least 20 minutes, possibly longer depending on your room temperature. Resist the urge to move or break it apart prematurely!

4. Break Apart and Serve: Once the Christmas Chex Mix is fully cooled and the chocolate has solidified, gently break it into bite-sized pieces (approximately 1-2 inch chunks). Transfer the hardened snack mix into a large decorative bowl or serving platter, and it’s ready to delight your guests!

Serving Suggestions & Gifting Ideas

Once your festive Christmas Chex Mix is cooled and broken into perfect chunks, it’s ready to be enjoyed or shared in a variety of wonderful ways, making your holidays even sweeter!

• The Perfect Party Snack: This Chex Mix is a guaranteed hit at any holiday gathering, family dinner, or festive get-together. Arrange it in large bowls on your snack table, and watch it disappear! Its vibrant colors and irresistible sweet and salty flavor profile make it a standout treat that guests of all ages will gravitate towards. It’s also ideal for a casual movie night with holiday films or for munching on while wrapping presents.
• Thoughtful Homemade Food Gifts: Nothing says “Happy Holidays” quite like a handmade gift from the heart. Package your Christmas Chex Mix in charming Mason jars, festive cellophane bags, or decorative tins. Tie it with a pretty ribbon and add a personalized tag, and you have a wonderful present for neighbors, friends, teachers, mail carriers, or anyone you want to appreciate during the season. It’s a delicious and heartfelt gesture that truly shows you care. Consider pairing it with other homemade goodies like Christmas puppy chow for a delightful duo.
• Sweet Dessert Pairing: While a fantastic snack on its own, this Chex Mix can also be served as a delightful dessert. Pair it with other festive sweets, such as rich chocolate peppermint cupcakes or a slice of gingerbread bundt cake, to create an impressive and varied dessert spread that will leave your guests utterly delighted.
• Cookie Tray Addition: Diversify your holiday cookie trays by including a handful of this colorful Chex Mix alongside your traditional cookies. It adds a wonderful textural contrast and a burst of holiday cheer.

Pro Tip: Ensure your Christmas Chex Mix is cooled completely before storing or packaging. If you seal it while still warm, the residual heat can cause the white chocolate to soften and the cereal and pretzels to lose their desirable crunch. A quick rest on the baking sheet at room temperature ensures every piece remains perfectly crisp and festive for longer enjoyment.

Want to make your holidays even sweeter? Try our Christmas bundt cake—it’s a simple and delicious holiday favorite!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Chex Mix

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your Christmas Chex Mix turns out perfectly every time:

Storing Your Holiday Snack Mix

Proper storage is essential to keep your Christmas Chex Mix fresh, crunchy, and delicious for as long as possible. Follow these guidelines to ensure your hard work pays off:

• At Room Temperature: Once the Chex Mix has completely cooled and the white chocolate has fully set, transfer it to an airtight container. A large Ziploc bag or a sturdy plastic container with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly. Stored this way, it will maintain its optimal freshness and crunch for up to 6 days. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, as warmth can soften the chocolate.
• In the Freezer: For extended freshness, this Christmas Chex Mix is a fantastic candidate for freezing. After it has fully cooled and hardened, place the broken pieces into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight freezer container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving. No need to reheat! This makes it ideal for preparing large batches long before the holiday rush.

Remember, the most critical step for both room temperature and freezer storage is ensuring the mix is completely cooled and hardened before sealing it away. This prevents sogginess and preserves that irresistible texture.

More Christmas Treats To Love…

If you enjoyed making and sharing this festive Chex Mix, you’re sure to love these other delightful holiday recipes from our kitchen:

• Christmas Charcuterie Tree: A creative and impressive appetizer for any holiday gathering.
• Muddy Buddies Christmas Recipe: Another sweet and irresistible snack mix, dressed up for the holidays.
• Mint M&M Cookies: Soft, chewy cookies packed with minty M&M’s for a refreshing twist.
• Fruit and Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer: A beautiful and healthy option for your holiday spread.

If you tried this Christmas Chex Mix recipe with M&M’s or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Christmas Chex Mix Recipe with M&M’s

By Renae Gerhardstein

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 5 votes)

Whip up this fun and festive Christmas Chex Mix recipe with M&M’s. A simple no-bake treat packed with cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and white chocolate.

Course: Dessert, Snack, Holiday

Cuisine: American

Servings: 32

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Cooling Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 193 kcal

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Microwave-safe bowl (for melting white chocolate)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)

Ingredients

• 4 cups Chex cereal (any variety or combination)
• 2 cups pretzel grids or sticks
• 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup Christmas M&M’s (or any variety of M&M’s, Skittles, or other small candies)
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 2 cups (12 ounces) white chocolate chips

Optional

• ¼ cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

1. Stir all ingredients together (except the white chocolate chips) in a large bowl. Prepare the baking sheet by greasing with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Place the white chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.
3. Continue microwaving the chocolate chips in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until it is completely melted and smooth.
4. Using a large spoon, pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture, and stir until everything is fully coated.
5. Use a spatula to spread the Christmas Chex Mix on the prepared baking sheet. The mixture should be about 1 inch thick in the pan. Sprinkle crushed candy cane candy on top if using.
6. Allow the Chex cereal mixture to cool for at least 20 minutes or until the white chocolate is hard.
7. Once cooled, break the Christmas Chex Mix into 1-2 inch pieces and store for up to 6 days at room temperature in an air-tight container.

Notes

• Let the mix cool completely before storing. If you package it while still warm, the chocolate can soften the cereal and pretzels, making them lose their crunch. A quick rest on the baking sheet ensures the mix stays crisp and festive.
• When melting the white chocolate, be sure to stir between each microwave interval to prevent overheating. White chocolate can seize quickly—gentle melting gives you a perfectly smooth and pourable coating.

Recipe Variations:

• Use a different cereal: There are a lot of other cereals that would taste great in the Christmas Chex Mix. You can choose a different Chex flavor, or go all-out with a crispy rice cereal or even a flavored variety, like peanut butter Cap’n Crunch!
• Make it crunchy or chewy: Add in different types of nuts, like almonds, cashews, or even popcorn for crunch. Try dried fruit for a little bit of sweetness.
• More candy!: For extra sweetness and a pop of color, add crushed candy cane candy or mini peanut butter cups to the top of the dish.
• Try a different type of chocolate: If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead.

Serving size is approximately 1/3 cup.

Storing Instructions:

• Store your snack mix in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container for up to 6 days at room temperature. It will keep even longer in the freezer.
• Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container and it will keep for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 193 kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg