The Story & Intro
Every holiday season, there’s one magical snack that instantly transports me back to childhood—Red & Green M&M Reindeer Chow. I still remember sitting at my aunt’s big wooden table in Paris, the one always dusted with a little flour, watching her stir together bowls of sweet, crunchy snack mix meant for “Santa’s reindeer.” Of course, none of us kids believed it was really for the reindeer we knew it was for sneaking handfuls when the adults weren’t looking!
Fast-forward to today, and here I am Lacamorea making Red & Green M&M Reindeer Chow in my cozy American kitchen, blending my French nostalgia with American holiday spirit. There’s something magical about the smell of melted chocolate, the soft coating of powdered sugar, and those festive pops of color from the red and green M&Ms. Every time I whip it up, I feel like a kid again, shaking the bag of cereal until it’s perfectly dusted like fresh Christmas snow.
And let me tell you, Red & Green M&M Reindeer Chow isn’t just delicious it’s the easiest, quickest holiday recipe ever. It’s the snack you make when last-minute guests show up, when your kids want to “help cook,” or when you need something irresistible to set out on the dessert table. Plus, it’s the perfect edible gift! Fill a mason jar with some ribbon and voilà a homemade treat that everyone loves.
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile. And snacks like Red & Green M&M Reindeer Chow? They’re little bites of joy I share with the people I love most.
So grab your chocolate, cereal, and those festive candies because we’re about to make a holiday treat that even Rudolph would approve of! 🎄🦌✨
Ingredients You’ll Need
6
Here’s everything required to make your bowl of Christmas cheer:
Base Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Mix-ins (the fun part!)
- 1 ½ cups Red & Green M&M’s
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- 1 cup holiday sprinkles (optional but so cute!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Mixing Area
Set out a large bowl and a giant zip-top bag. Trust me this snack gets dusty, and the bag makes it mess-free.
2. Add the Cereal
Pour your 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a very large bowl. You want plenty of room for tossing.
3. Melt the Chocolate Mixture
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine:
- chocolate chips
- peanut butter
- butter
Heat in 30-second intervals until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
4. Coat the Cereal
Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold until every piece is glossy.
5. Shake with Powdered Sugar
Transfer the coated cereal into your zip-top bag. Add powdered sugar. Shake like you’re ringing Christmas bells! 🎄✨
6. Add Mix-ins
Pour everything back into the bowl. Add:
- Red & Green M&M’s
- Pretzels
- Sprinkles
Toss until festive and beautiful.
7. Let It Set
Spread it on parchment paper for 10 minutes so the chocolate firms up.
8. Serve or Store
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week (if it lasts that long!).
How to Serve Reindeer Chow
Reindeer Chow is incredibly versatile and perfect for holiday celebrations.
Holiday Parties
Serve in festive bowls or cups for easy snacking.
Gift Giving
Fill mason jars or clear treat bags, add ribbon, and voilà homemade gifts!
Movie Nights
Nothing pairs better with holiday films than a sweet, crunchy snack like this.
Cookie Trays & Dessert Tables
Let it sit alongside your cookies, brownies, and peppermint bark for a full festive spread.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Reindeer Chow
Use Gentle Heat
Chocolate burns easily. Slow melting = smooth coating.
Don’t Skip the Bag Shake
This ensures each piece gets snowy and sweet.
Customize It
Swap pretzels for nuts, add marshmallows, or use mint M&M’s!
Double the Batch
This recipe disappears fast make more than you think you’ll need.
Recipe Card 🦌🎄
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Total: 10 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups Red & Green M&M’s
- 1 cup mini pretzels
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Place cereal in a large bowl.
- Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together.
- Stir in vanilla.
- Pour over cereal and coat evenly.
- Transfer to a zip bag and add powdered sugar.
- Shake until fully coated.
- Add M&M’s, pretzels, and sprinkles.
- Let set and enjoy!
📝 Notes
- Use almond butter for a peanut-free option.
- Add crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
📊 Nutrition (per serving)
Approx. 260 calories
Fat: 11g
Carbs: 36g
Sugar: 24g
Protein: 3g
Conclusion
Creating Red & Green M&M Reindeer Chow is like bottling up Christmas joy and sharing it in every crunchy, chocolatey bite. It’s fun, easy, kid-friendly, and irresistibly festive. And whether you’re making it for a holiday party, a cozy night in, or adorable edible gifts, this recipe never fails to make people smile. From my Parisian childhood to my American holidays, this treat has become one of my favorites to share and I hope it becomes one of yours too. Joyeux Noël, my friends! 🎄❤️