Reindeer Food Recipe: 5 Irresistibly Sweet Holiday Bites

If there’s one recipe that never fails to sprinkle a little holiday magic into your kitchen, it’s this Reindeer Food Recipe — also known as Christmas Puppy Chow! Think of it as a merry mix of crunchy, sweet, and chocolatey goodness that disappears faster than Santa up the chimney.

Every December, when my kitchen smells like melted chocolate and powdered sugar, I know the holiday season has officially begun. This festive snack mix has been a family favorite for years — the kind that brings everyone together around the counter, sneaking “just one more bite.” Whether you’re making it for a Christmas movie night, packaging it up as a last-minute edible gift, or leaving a bowl out for Santa’s reindeer (wink wink), this recipe delivers cozy joy in every handful.

Why You’ll Love This Reindeer Food Recipe

This isn’t your average snack mix — this Reindeer Food Recipe hits all the right holiday notes.

• Easy & Fast: You only need about 15 minutes of hands-on time.
• Kid-Friendly: A fun, mess-friendly project for little helpers.
• Customizable: Swap the candy, cereal, or nut butter for what you have on hand.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for prepping ahead for parties, gifting, or midnight munchies.

Basically, it’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and no-fuss — just how holiday treats should be!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this Christmas Puppy Chow:

• Semisweet chocolate: Dark or semi-sweet gives the best balance — milk chocolate can make it overly sweet. Hu Kitchen and Enjoy Life are great allergy-friendly options.
• Creamy peanut butter: Feel free to use almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter if you prefer.
• Rice Chex cereal: Classic and crispy! Crispex also works well.
• Mini pretzels: Sticks or mini twists work best; skip the thick rods.
• Powdered sugar: This is what gives it that signature snowy look — don’t substitute.
• Holiday candy: Red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups are perfect for festive flair!

SCROLL DOWN to the recipe card below for precise ingredient measurements, complete nutritional details, and step-by-step instructions.

How to Make Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

1. Combine the crunch. In a large bowl, mix your Rice Chex and pretzel pieces.
2. Melt the magic. Melt chocolate and peanut butter together — stovetop or microwave, whichever’s easier.
3. Mix and coat. Pour that glossy chocolate-peanut butter mixture over your cereal and pretzels. Stir until everything’s beautifully coated.
4. Chill and set. Pop the bowl into the fridge for about 30 minutes — just until the mixture starts to firm up.
5. Powdered sugar time. Add half a cup of powdered sugar to a clean bowl, layer in half your mix, add another half cup of sugar, then the rest of the mix. Toss gently to coat.
6. Chill again. Another 30–60 minutes in the fridge to let everything set nicely.
7. Final coat. Add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, until everything looks beautifully snow-dusted.
8. Add candy. Stir in your M&Ms and peanut butter cups.
9. Serve or store. Transfer to a serving bowl or airtight container. Try not to eat it all before the guests arrive (no judgment if you do).

Mounia’s Cozy Tip

If your mix looks a little too chocolatey and not “snowy” enough — don’t panic! Just add a touch more powdered sugar and give it another gentle toss. It’s the holidays — a little extra sweetness never hurt anyone.

And here’s my favorite part: wrap this Reindeer Food Recipe in cute holiday bags or mason jars with a festive tag. They make the cutest homemade Christmas gifts (especially when you forgot to buy teacher or neighbor presents!)

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for about a week.
• Freezer: Store for up to a month — just thaw at room temp before serving.

Pro tip: I sometimes keep a secret batch in the freezer “for emergencies.” (Spoiler: every night after wrapping gifts counts as an emergency.)

FAQs About Reindeer Food Recipe

A Final Bite of Holiday Cheer

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) is one of those simple joys that captures everything wonderful about the holidays — cozy flavors, shared smiles, and sweet little traditions.

So go ahead — pour yourself some hot cocoa, crank up the Christmas tunes, and whip up a batch of this festive goodness. Your kitchen will smell like a chocolatey winter wonderland, and your heart (and belly) will thank you.

Happy Holidays from my cozy kitchen to yours!

More Festive Recipes to Try Next

If you loved this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) and you’re craving more holiday magic straight from the kitchen, here are some deliciously cozy recipes that pair perfectly with your Christmas celebrations. Each one adds a sprinkle of sweetness or a dash of savory charm to your festive menu — ideal for parties, gifts, or simply enjoying by the twinkling tree lights.

• For another fun, crowd-pleasing dessert, try this Christmas Cookie Dip — creamy, sweet, and perfect for dunking graham crackers or pretzels while wrapping presents.
• Add a festive appetizer to your table with these Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups — they’re bite-sized, beautiful, and bursting with holiday flavor.
• If you’re hosting a holiday dinner, impress your guests with this stunning Slow Braised Beef Roast with Cranberry Balsamic Glaze — it’s tender, elegant, and full of seasonal goodness.
• And for a show-stopping holiday board, create a Simple Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board that’s both festive and fun — the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas gathering!

Each of these recipes brings its own sparkle to your holiday table, making your celebrations just a little more joyful (and a lot more delicious).

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