If you want a holiday treat that disappears faster than you can set it on the counter, this Christmas Chex Mix is the one. It’s everything people love in a snack: sweet, salty, crunchy, and festive — and it’s unbelievably easy.
I’ve made versions of this mix for years and this exact recipe is the one I love. Below, I’ll walk you through exactly why this recipe works, the small details that matte. Think of this section as the “behind the recipe” guide that builds confidence before you jump into the recipe card.
Christmas Chex Mix Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
CEREAL: You can use any combination of Chex cereal you’d like, whether rice, wheat, or corn Chex. You could also use Cheerios or Shreddies.
MIX-INS: You can add mini marshmallows as well to the Christmas snack mix. Some people like to add dried fruit, coconut, peanuts, pretzel twists, or dark chocolate as well.
DRIZZLE: Instead of the white chocolate candy melts, you could drizzle them with melted chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
Making The Ultimate Chex Mix
Line your baking sheets before you start. Once that melted chocolate hits the cereal, you need to work quickly. Having the trays ready means you’re not scrambling while the chocolate begins to set.
Use the largest bowl you own. This recipe makes a big batch — intentionally. A spacious bowl helps the cereal coat evenly without crushing it.
Melt the white chocolate gently – White chocolate scorches fast. Melting in 30-second increments, stirring each time, prevents graininess and keeps it smooth enough to pour and toss. If you see any signs of thickening, stop heating and stir until it loosens.
Toss, don’t stir aggressively – The goal is to lift and fold the mix so you keep the cereal intact. Think of it like folding whipped cream into pudding — gentle movement coats everything without creating crumbs.
Add candies immediately – You only get a short window before the chocolate begins to firm up. Having your M&Ms, peppermint, and sprinkles pre-measured makes the whole process smooth.
Spread it thin on the pans – A single even layer ensures it sets quickly and gives you those bite-sized clusters instead of giant chocolate slabs.
Break into pieces after fully set – If you break it apart too soon, you’ll get smearing and loose candy. Once the chocolate is fully hardened, the clusters snap cleanly.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This festive snack will disappear fast. Consider making a double batch to ensure you have enough!
Serving Ideas
This mix is incredibly versatile. Here are my favorite ways to use it:
- Stocking stuffers — pack in mini tins or jars.
- Holiday movie night bowl — festive snack everyone grabs by the handful.
- Teacher gifts — portion into cellophane bags with bows.
- Christmas cookie trays — adds color and texture beside baked cookies.
- Party snack bar — offer it alongside hot cocoa or coffee.
Storage Instructions
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
- If you’re gifting it: prepare it up to two days ahead so everything stays crisp.
- Avoid refrigeration — moisture softens the cereal.
More Chex Mix Recipes
Christmas Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
- 2 cups Bugles brand snack chips
- 2 cups sourdough pretzel nibblers, Snyders of Hanover brand
- 10 ounces white chocolate candy melts, Ghirardelli brand used
- 1 ¼ cups mini m&m’s candies, Christmas red and green variety
- 22 Starlight peppermint candies, unwrapped and finely crushed (yields approximately ½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons nonpareil sprinkles, red, white and green holiday blend (plus additional for optional garnish)
Instructions
- Line two large (12×16 half-sheet size) rimmed baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
- To a very large mixing bowl add the rice Chex cereal, wheat Chex cereal, Bugles, and pretzel nibblers. Gently stir to combine.
- To a microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate candy melts and heat on high for 1 minute, stir, then heat again in 30 second increments until fully melted. Stir until smooth. Be sure to stir well between each heating to ensure you do not burn the white chocolate.
- Pour the melted white chocolate into the bowl, gently stir to evenly coat the cereal mixture.
- Quickly add the mini m&m candies, crushed peppermints, and sprinkles to the bowl. Gently toss to evenly distribute the candies with the chocolate-coated cereal mixture, making sure that the candies stick to the melted chocolate.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared baking pans and spread into an even layer. If desired, sprinkle additional nonpareils over the mix before the chocolate fully sets. Allow the mixture to set for 15-20 minutes at room temperature or until the white chocolate has hardened.
- Once completely set, carefully break apart the Christmas Chex mix and add to a clean large bowl for serving or airtight container for storage.
Notes
- You can use any combination of Chex cereal you want for this recipe. I suggest sticking with a non-coated, or flavored, variety for best results. A standard 12-ounce box of a single variety will yield the needed 6 cups cereal for this recipe.
- Rainbow colored mini m&m’s and nonpareil sprinkles can be used in place of the Christmas colors if you want to make this recipe year round.
- Vanilla flavored almond bark works wonderfully as a substitute for the white chocolate candy melts. You would only need about half (approximately 12 ounces) of a 24-ounce package melted according to package directions.
Nutrition
Comments
Layne Kangas says
This stuff is absolutely addicting. It’s SO EASY to make and it’s got the best crunch. We love it.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I just love a good chex mix of any kind and can eat them all year. I have definitely pinned this recipe to try out. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Gloria says
This stuff is the best — absolutely delicious! I make a bunch of it and put in containers so we can munch while we play games.
Jackie L Fail says
The recipe sounds yummy!!!
Kelly says
Question: 12 oz EACH of rice and wheat Chex, or 6 oz EACH to total 12 oz?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Kelly – it’s 12 ounces of each. Enjoy!
jenn says
How long will it last. I’m thinking of making and putting in tins for gifts?
Lexus Monroe, Editorial Assistant says
Hi Jenn – I am going to paste the storage instructions in below!
IN ROOM TEMPERATURE: You can store in an airtight container or in gallon size bags. This recipe yields two gallon-size bags. Store in room temperature for up to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: Store Chex mix in an air-tight plastic bag and place in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.