Reindeer Chow

Discover the ultimate holiday treat with our Reindeer Chow recipe! Crunchy Chex, chocolate, and brownie mix make it a festive delight. Perfect for Christmas snacking and gifting

Reindeer Chow

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious Christmas snack like Reindeer Chow?

Also known as “Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies,” this winter treat is a delightful blend of sweet and crunchy, making it a perfect addition to your Christmas treat ideas.

Reindeer Chow takes the classic Puppy Chow Peanut Butter recipe and adds a festive twist. It starts with Chex cereal, which provides that satisfying crunch. Then, a mixture of chocolate chips, peanut butter (or Nutella), butter, and vanilla is melted to create a smooth, creamy coating that envelops the cereal.

What sets Reindeer Chow apart is the addition of dry brownie mix. This transforms the snack into a delightful blend of chocolatey goodness that’s perfect for the Christmas season. The brownie mix adds depth and richness to the flavor profile, making each bite a delight.

Reindeer Chow is the answer whether you’re hosting a winter party, looking for a cozy snack to enjoy by the fireplace, or searching for Christmas snack ideas to share with friends and family. It’s easy to make, making it a fantastic addition to your holiday festivities.

This Reindeer Chow recipe is a must-try Christmas snack that combines the irresistible flavors of Chex, chocolate, peanut butter (or Nutella), and brownie mix. It’s a treat that’s easy to make and impossible to resist.

Whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow this holiday season and watch it disappear as everyone indulges in this festive winter snack!

Reindeer Chow: Ingredients & Substitutions

To make this Reindeer Chow recipe, you will need …

Ingredients

• Chex cereal – corn, wheat, or chocolate. Or use a mix of your faves!
• chocolate chips – any kind you like. Milk chocolate is my fave, but semi-sweet or dark work just as well.
• peanut butter or Nutella spread – or other nut or seed butters.
• butter
• vanilla extract
• dry brownie mix – any kind you like or prefer.
• seasonal Sixlets candies or seasonal M&M’s candies – try to get the ones that are red and green for a festive addition!

How to make Reindeer Chow

Prepare. Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.

Cook. In a small saucepan, melt and stir the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Coat. Immediately pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.

Shake. Place the dry brownie mix or powdered sugar in a zip-top bag. Add the coated cereal to the bag. Seal the bag and shake until well-coated.

Cool. Spread on prepared waxed paper to cool. Add the Sixlet candies.

Store and enjoy. Store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.

Reindeer Chow: FAQs

• Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow)
• Banana Berry Minions Muddy Buddies
• Kibbles & Bits Snack Mix {with FREE Printable}
• Red Velvet Muddy Buddies
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4.34 from 3 votes

Servings: 20 servings

Reindeer Chow

By Jamie Sherman

Reindeer Chow is an irresistible holiday snack with Chex, chocolate, peanut butter, and brownie mix. A Christmas favorite for all ages!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 7 minutes mins

Inactive Time: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 22 minutes mins

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Equipment

• zip-top bags
• rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• pot and pan set
• Cut-Rite Wax Paper – Pack of 3
• baking sheets
• mixing bowl
• mixing bowl

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 9 cups Corn Chex, Wheat Chex or Chocolate Chex
• ▢ 1 cup chocolate chips
• ▢ ½ cup peanut butter or Nutella spread
• ▢ ¼ cup butter
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 ½ cups dry brownie mix
• ▢ 2 bottles seasonal Sixlets candies or 1 cup seasonal M&M's candies, 4.5 oz. each

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Instructions 

• Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, melt and stir the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Immediately pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.
• Place the dry brownie mix or powdered sugar in a zip-top bag. Add the coated cereal to the bag. Seal the bag and shake until well-coated. Spread on prepared waxed paper to cool. Add the Sixlet candies.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

• You can easily scale up the recipe to make a larger batch to serve at parties or gatherings. Just be sure to have enough airtight containers for storing the extra portions.
• You can package Reindeer Chow in decorative holiday tins, mason jars with festive labels, or even in holiday-themed treat bags tied with ribbons. Personalized packaging adds a special touch when giving it as a gift.
• You can prepare Reindeer Chow in advance and store it in an airtight container until you're ready to enjoy it. It's a convenient snack to have on hand for holiday parties and gatherings.
• When stored in an airtight container, Reindeer Chow can stay fresh for up to a week. It's best to store it in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator to maintain its crunchiness. Do NOT freeze it.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 287kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 205mg, Potassium: 91mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 544IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally published on December 4, 2015. Updated on November 28, 2023.