TO RECIPE SAVE RECIPE

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

For a quick and easy holiday snack that you know will be a hit, try this variety of Christmas Muddy Buddy Chex Mix. It is a familiar tasty treat that is both a salty and sweet snack.

A white bowl filled with Christmas Muddy Buddy Chex Mix set on a festive table with scattered sprinkles, christmas bells and candy canes.

I have heard this holiday season recipe called many different names including Reindeer Chow, Reindeer munch, Puppy Chow, Monkey Munch, Christmas Crunch, Muddy Buddies, and so many more. But no matter what you call it, the base is a “muddy buddy” made from chocolate, peanut butter, Chex, and powdered sugar.

This Chex Holiday Muddy Mix is a classic not only for Christmas but for any holiday! Just trade out the colored candies and sprinkles for a new treat every time you want to whip up a quick snack or take it to your next holiday party.

And if you are looking for more fun Christmas-time recipes, try my Grinch Pretzel Bites or these adorable Santa Jell-O Cups.

Of all the Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe versions out there, this combination of flavors is my favorite!

Key Ingredient Notes

  • The Butters- Peanut butter and unsalted butter make the “mud” hold onto the cereal and are the base for the recipe.
  • Chocolate Chips- Use both white chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet for this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract- What is baking without vanilla? It adds a nutty rich taste to the mixture.
  • Chex Cereal- The base for all Muddy Chex mix recipes is Chex Cereal.
  • Powdered Sugar- The sugary coating holds the chocolate peanut butter mix to the cereal.
  • Pretzels- Crunch and salt are added to this snack with the addition of your favorite shape of pretzels.
  • Candies- The candy for this recipe can be varied. I used broken candy canes and red and green M&Ms, plus a hearty handful of Christmas sprinkles.
Ingredients needed to make Christmas Muddy Buddies laid out on a marble table.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Pretzel Shapes: Use Christmas Shaped pretzels if you can find them. I often find them at Walmart, Target, or Amazon. You could even use the chocolate or white chocolate-covered ones.
  • Chips: Change the white chocolate chips to peppermint chips or butterscotch.
  • Peanut Butter Lovers: If peanut butter is your jam (pun intended) try peanut butter chips and Reese’s Pieces in place of some of the M&Ms. Just pull out the right colors and let the kids eat the rest!

How To Make Christmas Muddy Buddies

With very little cooking time, these melt-in-your-mouth treats are quick and easy and so very festive.

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Melting the Peanut Butter Mixture

In a microwave-safe bowl measure and melt the creamy peanut butter and unsalted butter. Microwave the two for 20-second intervals and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula at each interval until both butter and peanut butter are melted. Then give that a good mix.

Step 2 | Add in the Chocolate Chips

Now that the butter mixture is melted and warm, add half the chocolate chips and melt them the in the microwave in the same manner. Now, add in the other half of the chocolate chips and repeat the steps until everything is completely incorporated and looks creamy chocolatey good.

Then measure and add in the vanilla extract and stir. 

Collage image showing steps to melt butter, peanut butter and chocolate together.

Step 3 | Making Muddy Buddies

You may be surprised to learn how easy it is to make these chocolate-packed cereal treats. First, grab a large bowl and place half of the Chex mix cereal in the bowl.

Now, pour half of the peanut butter chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal. Then with the spoon, gently fold the melted chocolate chips into the cereal being careful not to break the Chex cereal pieces.

Step 4 | Coat the Chex Cereal

Holding in all the peanut butter chocolate mixture is a delicious coating of powdered sugar.

Once the cereal pieces are fully coated with the chocolate peanut butter mix, add the coated cereal and half of the powdered sugar to a large plastic bag. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is fully coated.

If you get larger chucks than desired separate by slightly pressing the larger pieces on the outside of the bag, then shake the bag again until all the pieces are evenly coated.

Collage image showing steps to add melted chocolate to chex cereal and then to toss in powdered sugar and add in toppings.

Step 5 | Assemble the Chex Mix

Finally, pour the chocolate-coated cereal pieces into a large serving bowl just perfect for the holiday party. Or, you can toss them together on a large baking sheet covered with wax paper or parchment paper or in a plastic container.

Top this first layer with half of the extra ingredients like pretzels, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, candy canes, and sprinkles.

Toss and repeat steps 4 and 5 for the second half of the coated cereal and powdered sugar ensuring you have an evenly distributed bowl of goodies.

Top this final layer with the remaining pretzels, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, candy canes, and festive sprinkles.

Store your Christmas Chex Mix the room temperature in an airtight container for up two weeks.

Tips

  • Add a final layer of the candies and chocolate on the top, so they are vibrant color and do not get coated in powdered sugar.
  • If you get larger chucks than desired separate by slightly pressing the larger pieces on the outside of the bag, then shake the bag again until all the pieces are evenly coated.
  • Do not store this mix in the fridge. The countertop is just fine when stored in an airtight bag or container.
A white bowl with muddy buddies filled with Christmas m&ms, pretzels, candy canes, and white chocolate chips.

Recipe FAQ’s

What other candies would work in this recipe?

The sky is the limit really! Try adding mini marshmallows and any other festive-looking candies you think would be festive in the bowl.

Why are Muddy Buddies called Puppy Chow?

That is a strange one in my opinion. Because, in fact, Chex was originally made by a dog food company! Purina started making “People Chow” and the recipes evolved and grew to what we now refer to as Puppy Chow.

Can I use a different cereal?

You sure can. The Chex holds the chocolate and the sugar just right. But you can use Crispix Cereal or any other variety of cereal you like. I wonder what it would be like on mini Shredded Wheat? Hmmm….

What to Serve with Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Storage

Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Freeze: You can freeze the Chex Mix Muddy Buddies. But then, I think I would serve it frozen. In fact, many people like it that way.

An overhead image of a festive tablescape serving Christmas Chex mix dessert in a white bowl.

More Christmas Recipes to Try

Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

A white bowl of Christmas Muddy Buddies on a white wood table with Holiday decor.
Recipe
5 from 6 votes

(click stars to rate)

Christmas Muddy Buddy Chex Mix

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
Pin Print Rate Recipe Save
For a quick and easy holiday snack that you know will be ahit, try this variety of Christmas Muddy Buddy Chex Mix. It is a familiar tastytreat that is both a salty and sweet snack.

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 12 ounce semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 ounce corn Chex cereal, (or any variety)
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • ½ cup red and green M&Ms
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup candy canes, broken (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles

Instructions

  • In a microwave-safe dish melt the peanut butter and unsalted butter. Microwave for 20-second intervals and mix at each interval until both butter and peanut butter are melted.
  • Add in half of the chocolate chips to the bowl and melt in the microwave. Microwave for 20-second intervals and mix at each interval until the chocolate is melted into the peanut butter mixture. Add in the remaining chocolate chips and repeat the steps until everything is completely incorporated.
  • Then add in the vanilla and stir. 
  • In a large bowl, add half of the cereal and pour half of the peanut butter chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently fold the melted chocolate into the cereal with a large spoon. 
  • Once fully coated, add the coated cereal and half of the powdered sugar to a large ziplock bag. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is fully coated. If you get larger chucks than desired separate by slightly pressing the larger pieces on the outside of the bag. Shake again until all the pieces are coated.
  • Pour the coated cereal pieces into a large serving bowl (This can also be tossed together on a large baking sheet or plastic container. Top this first layer with half of the: pretzels, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, candy canes, and sprinkles.
  • Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the second half of the coated cereal and powdered sugar.
  • Top this final layer with half of the: pretzels, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, candy canes, and sprinkles.
  • Store the room temperature in an airtight container for up two weeks.

Video

Notes

  • Add a final layer of the candies and chocolate on the top, so they are vibrant color and do not get coated in powdered sugar.
  • If you get larger chucks than desired separate by slightly pressing the larger pieces on the outside of the bag, then shake the bag again until all the pieces are evenly coated.
  • Do not store this mix in the fridge. The countertop is just fine when stored in an airtight bag or container.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 381kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 53g (18%) Protein: 5g (10%) Fat: 17g (26%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 14mg (5%) Sodium: 228mg (10%) Potassium: 186mg (5%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 32g (36%) Vitamin A: 595IU (12%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 82mg (8%) Iron: 5mg (28%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

Did You Make This?I love to see what you made! Tag me @soulfullymade_ and hashtag #SoulfullyMade
Pin Recipe Tag on Insta Share on Facebook Leave Review

Please share

Nikki Lee author of Soulfully Made in the kitchen serving cupcakes.

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RATE THIS RECIPE




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

6 Comments

  3. 5 stars
    What a fun and festive recipe for Christmas!! I’m bookmarking this and will definitely be making it with my kiddos on Christmas morning – they are going to love it!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    I’m definitely making these Christmas muddy buddies this weekend. My family are real snackers and love sweets to mix with their liquor beverages!

    Reply