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    Home » Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Published: Dec 12, 2020 · Modified: Jan 17, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Reindeer Food is a fun and festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe that's easy to make with only 7 ingredients! Reindeer chow is a cute gift for friends, neighbors and coworkers! 

    up close overhead view of reindeer food

    My love for Puppy Chow (or Muddy Buddies as some call it) runs deep. I perfected the technique and ratios to make the best puppy chow ever, and I added a Christmas flair to make this Reindeer Food recipe. 

    This Reindeer Chow is made with 7 ingredients including rice square cereal, pretzels, peanut butter, chocolate and more. Every piece of cereal is generously coated with chocolate & peanut butter - so every bite is pure bliss.

    This reindeer food recipe is easy to make and even easier to eat! Wrap it in a cellophane bag  and use this adorable printable to make cute gifts for neighbors and friends, along with this homemade kettle corn and cinnamon sugar pecans!

    overhead photo of a bowl of Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Reindeer Food Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Semisweet chocolate. I recommend using dark or semi-sweet chocolate.  In my opinion, milk chocolate makes it too sweet. If you need an allergy-friendly chocolate both Hu Kitchen and Enjoy Life Foods make great options! Since it's being melted, you can use any form such as chips, chopped bars, discs, etc.
    • Creamy peanut butter. This reindeer food recipe can be made with any nut or seed butter if you have a peanut allergy in your family. Cashew, almond, sunflower seed butter, etc. 
    • Rice Chex Cereal. Chex is my favorite cereal to use to make this reindeer chow (or a generic equivalent)! However many people love Crispex!
    • Mini Pretzels. The pretzels are broken into smaller pieces, so you can use sticks or mini pretzels. I don't recommend thick rods or other large varieties.
    • Powdered Sugar. I don't recommend making substitutes for the powdered sugar in this Christmas puppy chow recipe.
    • Candy: Feel free to substitute your favorite holiday candy. I love the red and green M&Ms to give it a Christmas flair, and the peanut butter cups for taste! 
    overhead view of the ingredients in this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    How to make Reindeer Food

    This Christmas Puppy Chow is really easy to make, but as always, we'll walk through the steps together to ensure your success - and don't forget to watch the video!

    Combine Chex & Pretzel Pieces

    Begin this reindeer chow recipe by combining the rice Chex cereal and pretzel pieces in a large bowl, then set the mixture aside. It's important to break the pretzels into smaller pieces so there's a salty crunch in every bite!

    Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter

    Next, melt the peanut butter and chocolate together, either on the stovetop or in the microwave. Then, stir the mixture until it's melted and smooth. 

    two overhead photos showing how to make Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Combine Ingredients

    Pour the peanut butter chocolate mixture over cereal/pretzel mixture and stir until evenly distributed. Make sure to scrape the melted chocolate off the sides of the bowl to incorporate it into the cereal mixture. 

    Chill the Reindeer Food

    Next, chill the reindeer food in the refrigerator until the mixture just barely begins to set up (about 30 minutes). You can also set it outside on a cold December day. This step is absolutely critical to ensure your reindeer chow isn't too sweet. By chilling the mixture, you will use less powdered sugar overall because it will not absorb as quickly into the chilled mixture as it would into a warm mixture. 

    two overhead photos showing how to make Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Add powdered sugar

    Once the Christmas puppy chow is slightly hardened (but still able to be stirred), remove the mixture from the refrigerator.

    Put some powdered sugar on the bottom of a separate, large bowl. Add half of the chilled mixture, then add more powdered sugar over the cereal and the remaining chocolate/cereal mixture. Using a fresh bowl will keep the powdered sugar from sticking to the chocolate on the sides.  Gently stir until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed, tossing to coat the cereal with powdered sugar.

    Chill again

    Chill the reindeer food again in the refrigerator until it’s set (about another 30-60 minutes). 

    Add more powdered sugar

    After it is chilled completely, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time until the cereal/pretzel mixture is coated.

    two overhead photos showing how to make Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Add candy and serve

    Once the reindeer chow is coated in powdered sugar to your liking, add the M&Ms and peanut butter cups and stir to combine, then transfer to a serving dish. Reserve a few to dress up the top of the serving bowl if you will be putting it out for guests and not packaging it up in bags as gifts. 

    Store/Freeze

    Store this Christmas puppy chow in an airtight container (or bag) for up to 1 week at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and for 1 month in the freezer. Serve at room temperature.

    FAQs

    Can you freeze Christmas puppy chow?

    Yes! this puppy chow recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

    How long does reindeer food last?

    This puppy chow stays fresh for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container at room temperature (but it usually gets eaten way faster)!

    front photo of a bowl of Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Package to give as gifts

    If desired, portion out the Christmas puppy chow into cute holiday containers, bags, etc. and give as gifts to friends and neighbors.

    My talented hubby helped me design this cute label you can print out and add to your bags of reindeer food!

    Click here to download & print reindeer food gift tags
    up close photo of Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)

    Laura
    This Reindeer Food is a fun and festive Christmas Puppy Chow recipe that's easy to make with only 7 ingredients! Reindeer chow is a cute gift for friends, neighbors and coworkers! 
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Chilling 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 15 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 Servings
    Calories 365 kcal

    Equipment

    • glass batter bowl
    • measuring cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
    • 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
    • 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
    • 1 ½ cups mini pretzels broken into pieces
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
    • 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, combine rice Chex cereal and pretzel pieces.
    • Melt peanut butter and chocolate together, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
    • Pour peanut butter chocolate mixture over cereal/pretzel mixture and stir to combine.
    • Chill in the refrigerator until the mixture just barely begins to set up (about 30 minutes).
    • Remove the mixture from the refrigerator.
    • In a separate, large bowl, put ½ cup powdered sugar on the bottom of the bowl. Add half of the chilled mixture, then add another ½ cup powdered sugar over the cereal and the remaining chocolate/cereal mixture.
    • Gently stir until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed, tossing to coat the cereal with powdered sugar.
    • Chill the mixture again in the refrigerator until it’s set (about another 30-60 minutes).
    • Add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time until the cereal/pretzel mixture is coated.
    • Add M&Ms and peanut butter cups and stir to combine.
    • Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Semisweet chocolate. I recommend using dark or semi-sweet chocolate.  In my opinion, milk chocolate makes it too sweet. If you need an allergy-friendly chocolate both Hu Kitchen and Enjoy Life Foods make great options! Since it's being melted, you can use any form such as chips, chopped bars, discs, etc.
    • Creamy peanut butter. This reindeer food recipe can be made with any nut or seed butter if you have a peanut allergy in your family. Cashew, almond, sunflower seed butter, etc. 
    • Rice Chex Cereal. Chex is my favorite cereal to use to make this reindeer chow (or a generic equivalent)! However many people love Crispex!
    • Mini Pretzels. The pretzels are broken into smaller pieces, so you can use sticks or mini pretzels. I don't recommend thick rods or other large varieties.
    • Powdered Sugar. I don't recommend making substitutes for the powdered sugar in this Christmas puppy chow recipe.
    • Candy: Feel free to substitute your favorite holiday candy. I love the red and green M&Ms to give it a Christmas flair, and the peanut butter cups for taste! 
    Store/Freeze
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, the refrigerator for up to 1 week and the freezer for up to 1 month.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 7gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 240mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 3gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 146IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you like this recipe, try these!

    Here are some more delicious recipes perfect to make at Christmas time!

    • This is the best puppy chow recipe you will ever eat, ever. 
    • Cookies: Some of our favorite cookies include, Cut-out sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, peanut butter blossoms,  double chocolate cookies, the best chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, and these peanut butter cookies. 
    • Hot chocolate. This peppermint hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm up this holiday season, also try our Homemade hot chocolate recipe and peanut butter hot chocolate. 
    • Candy. Another great addition to a cookie platter is homemade candy. Our homemade almond toffee is the best. Also try these Oreo balls, Chocolate peanut butter balls, and candied pecans or candied almonds. 
    • Bars: Bars are so much easier to make than cookies (in my opinion) because it's a spread and bake situation. We love these chocolate peanut butter bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, and these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars. 
    • Check out our roundup of all of our favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bridget

      December 21, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing!! Always a crowd favorite. Love making this

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 21, 2022 at 2:44 pm

        Thank you so much Bridget!

        Reply
    2. Shelbi

      December 09, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      Would this recipe be gluten-free if I omitted the pretzels?

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 10, 2021 at 7:13 am

        Yes, as long as you use gluten-free peanut butter cups and candy. This puppy chow recipe is gluten-free! https://joyfoodsunshine.com/puppy-chow-recipe/

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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