This easy Christmas Chex mix recipe is the ultimate Christmas party snack. Crunchy Chex and salty pretzels and peanuts get coated in caramelized brown sugar, baked, then tossed with rich chocolate chips, M&Ms, and fluffy marshmallows for the perfect sweet and salty party mix.
For more holiday snack mixes try my Christmas Puppy Chow, Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix, or Peppermint Muddy Buddies.
Although this delicious holiday dessert is perfect for parties it is also perfect for snacking on at home throughout the holiday season. I love making a batch for my family to munch on while watching our favorite Christmas movies or decorating our Christmas tree.
Whether you are making a batch of this great snack for your next holiday party or for you to enjoy at home, one thing is for certain. If you give this festive snack mix a try you will fall in love with it as well. It really is truly is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Rice Chex— the crispy cereal forms the base of the easy Christmas snack mix.
- Pretzels— I used mini pretzel twists but pretzel sticks, butter snaps, or any bite-sized pretzel would work as well.
- Peanuts— I used cocktail peanuts but almonds or mixed nuts would work too.
- Butter— I used unsalted since the pretzels and peanuts add enough salt to the recipe.
- Light brown sugar—combines with the butter to make the sweet caramel sauce.
- Vanilla extract— adds a touch of sweet vanilla flavor
- Christmas M&Ms— Grab a bag of red and green M&M candies for a fun pop of holiday colors.
- Chocolate chips— I used semi-sweet but feel free to substitute with dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips.
- Marshmallows— Mini marshmallows are the perfect size for this snack mix.
How to make Christmas Chex Party Mix
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Line a large rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix together Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts on the prepared baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and set aside.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring often, over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
Step 4: Carefully pour the sauce over the Chex party mix, as evenly as possible. Gently toss the mix to ensure everything is coated.
Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and allow the cereal mixture to cool to room temperature. Use a spatula to turn the mixture once or twice more as it cools to help break up any large clumps.
Step 7: Add the cooled Chex mixture, M&Ms, chocolate chips, and marshmallows to a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
While this sweet and crunchy snack is best enjoyed fresh, it can be frozen if necessary. To freeze, transfer the fully-cooled Christmas mix to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Additions and variations
- Use a combination of Chex cereals. Instead of using 3 cups of Rice Chex try the recipe with 1 cup each of rice Chex, wheat Chex, and corn Chex.
- Swap the nuts. Pecans, walnuts, mixed nuts, or almonds are all great options.
- Add more candy. For added sweetness try adding some holiday sprinkles or your favorite Christmas candies. Reese’s pieces, Snowcaps, or mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are all great options.
- Up the crunch. For added crunch consider mixing in animal crackers, chow-mein noodles, or caramel popcorn.
Expert tips & tricks
- Allow the baked Chex mix to cool completely before adding the chocolate candies and marshmallows so that they don’t melt.
- Substitute the holiday M&Ms with regular M&Ms for an easy Chex mix recipe any time of year.
- Don’t care for marshmallows? Allergic to nuts? No problem- this recipe is very flexible and you can easily swap out or skip any mix-in.
- This sweet and salty Christmas chex mix makes a wonderful gift. Place in cellophane baggies or mason jars and tie with a ribbon for easy homemade Christmas gifts.
Christmas Chex Mix Recipe FAQ
Yes. You can make the mix up to a week ahead of time and store in an airtight container. However, I recommend waiting until ready to serve to add the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
If you can’t get your hands on a box of Rice Chex you can use one of the other varieties of Chex cereals. Or give the easy recipe a try with Crispix or Cheerios.
I hope that you enjoy this salty-sweet Chex mix recipe and that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
More Delicious Holiday Snacks
Christmas Chex Mix
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups pretzels
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms
- ½ cup miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix together Chex cereal, pretzels, and peanuts on the prepared baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring often, over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Carefully pour the sauce over the Chex party mix, as evenly as possible. Gently toss the mix to ensure everything is coated.
- Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Use a spatula to turn the mixture once or twice more as it cools to help break up any large clumps.
- To a large bowl, add the cooled Chex mixture, M&Ms, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until serving.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by a third party and intended to serve as an estimate only. The accuracy of nutritional information is not guaranteed.
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