If Christmas had a flavor, it would taste exactly like this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)—a crunchy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery, powdered-sugary dream that feels like a cozy hug in snack form. This festive treat is my family’s go-to for gifting neighbors or bribing my kids into helping decorate the tree. It’s the kind of simple, nostalgic holiday recipe that brings joy without any fuss (because who has time for complicated when there’s wrapping paper chaos everywhere?). Whether you call it muddy buddies, Christmas chow, or reindeer food, this recipe will make your kitchen smell like Christmas magic—and your taste buds dance like Rudolph on Christmas Eve.
Table of Contents
What is Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)?
Reindeer Food, also known as Christmas Puppy Chow, is a sweet and salty holiday mix that combines Rice Chex cereal, pretzels, chocolate, peanut butter, and a blizzard of powdered sugar. Think of it as the lovechild of a candy bar and your favorite crunchy snack. It’s not just for reindeer (or puppies, despite the name)—this is human food, and dangerously addictive at that! Originating from the classic Midwest “Muddy Buddies,” this Christmas version adds festive flair with red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups. It’s perfect for Christmas movie nights, classroom parties, or quick gifts wrapped in mason jars.
Reasons to Try Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
There are about a dozen reasons to whip up this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)—but here are the best ones. First, it takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Seriously. You can make it while watching Elf or between wrapping presents. Second, it’s made with pantry staples—no fancy ingredients or baking required. Third, it’s one of those recipes that makes everyone happy, from kids to grandparents. The combo of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy pretzels hits every craving. Lastly, it’s a great DIY holiday gift. Fill up some festive tins or cellophane bags, tie with ribbon, and boom—instant homemade magic. Need more cozy holiday recipes? You’ll love our Pumpkin Chai Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas morning!
Ingredients Needed to Make Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
- 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
Instructions to Make Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
If you’ve ever wanted to whip up something festive, sweet, and completely irresistible, this Step-by-Step Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from melting chocolate like a pro to coating each crunchy piece in that signature snowy powdered sugar. Grab your mixing bowl and get ready for some holiday kitchen fun!
Step 1: Prepare Your Base Mix
Start this Step-by-Step Reindeer Food Recipe by grabbing your biggest mixing bowl—trust me, you’ll need the space. Add 5 cups of Rice Chex cereal and 1½ cups of mini pretzels broken into smaller pieces. The combination of crispy cereal and salty pretzels gives your puppy chow that satisfying crunch that balances all the sweetness coming later. If you’re wondering which cereal or pretzels work best, check out our ingredient substitutions guide where we share smart swaps and pantry alternatives that actually work.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Next, in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine 1½ cups of semisweet (or dark) chocolate chips and 1½ cups of creamy peanut butter. Heat gently, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and glossy. The chocolate-peanut butter combo should look silky, not grainy or stiff. For a vegan twist, try allergy-friendly chocolate brands like Enjoy Life or Hu Kitchen—they melt beautifully. If you love cozy chocolate desserts, you’ll also enjoy our Choco Cheesecake Cookie Bites for another chocolate fix.
Step 3: Coat and Combine
Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over your cereal and pretzels. This is where the magic happens—each piece should get an even, luscious coating. Use a spatula to gently stir and fold until everything is well covered, making sure not to crush the cereal. Once mixed, spread it out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the chocolate firm up just enough to keep the coating from turning mushy.
Step 4: The First Powdered Sugar Toss
In a fresh, large bowl, sprinkle ½ cup of powdered sugar on the bottom. Add half of your chilled mixture, then another ½ cup of powdered sugar on top. Gently toss and turn using a wide spoon or your hands (wear gloves if you prefer!) until the cereal is evenly dusted in sugar. It should look like it’s just been caught in a light snowstorm. Repeat this process until all of the mixture is coated. This Step-by-Step Reindeer Food Recipe technique ensures that every bite has that perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Step 5: Chill Again for Perfect Texture
After the first sugar coat, return your mixture to the refrigerator for another 30 to 60 minutes. This step helps the coating set and keeps everything crisp. It also prevents the powdered sugar from melting off later. While it chills, check out our holiday treat ideas for more fun snacks to make while you wait.
Step 6: Add the Festive Finishing Touches
Once your mixture is set, it’s time for the fun part—decorating! Toss in 1½ cups of red and green M&Ms and 1 cup of mini peanut butter cups. Give it all a gentle stir to distribute those bright pops of color evenly. This is what makes your Reindeer Food Recipe truly shine at holiday parties and gift swaps. Want to get creative? You can add crushed candy canes or Christmas sprinkles for extra flair.
Step 7: Serve, Gift, and Enjoy
Finally, transfer your Christmas Puppy Chow to a festive serving bowl or divide it into mason jars and tie with a holiday ribbon for adorable edible gifts. Store it at room temperature for up to 5 days—or make it ahead and freeze for up to a month. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for cookie exchanges, office parties, or cozy nights by the fire. If you’re planning a full holiday spread, pair this with our Cinnamon Sugar Twists or Pumpkin Roll Recipe for a beautiful dessert table that wows without the stress.
Key Tips for Making Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
- Use dark or semi-sweet chocolate for the best balance of sweetness. Milk chocolate can make it too sugary.
- If you’re allergic to peanuts, try sunflower or almond butter instead.
- Don’t skip the chilling steps—they help the mixture set perfectly so the coating sticks.
- Toss gently when coating with powdered sugar to avoid crushing the cereal.
- Customize it! Add mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or sprinkles to make it your own.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
Store your Reindeer Food in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. For long-term storage, freeze it for up to one month—just thaw it at room temperature before serving. Avoid reheating (this isn’t a warm treat), but if it gets clumpy, give it a quick shake in a large bag with extra powdered sugar to refresh the coating.
FAQs
Can I make this without peanut butter? Yes! Try almond butter or cookie butter for a nut-free version.
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely. Just use a larger bowl and spread the coated mixture onto baking sheets to cool evenly.
Why is it called “Puppy Chow”? The name comes from how it looks—not how it tastes! It resembles dog kibble, but trust me, it’s human food (and dangerously good).
Final Thoughts
This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) is proof that sometimes, the simplest recipes bring the most joy. With just seven ingredients and a little bit of Christmas spirit, you can create a snack that’s festive, fun, and completely addictive. It’s perfect for gifting or just enjoying by the fire with your family. If you love holiday treats like this, check out our Caramel Apple Cookies or Honey Pumpkin Dinner Rolls for more seasonal inspiration.
Visit our Pinterest for regular slow cooker recipe updates, or join our Facebook discussions where cooking fans exchange their favorite hearty meal ideas.
Print
Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
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!
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
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine rice Chex cereal and pretzel pieces.
2. Melt peanut butter and chocolate together, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
3. Pour peanut butter chocolate mixture over cereal/pretzel mixture and stir to combine.
4. Chill in the refrigerator until the mixture just barely begins to set up (about 30 minutes).
5. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator.
6. 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.
7. Gently stir until the powdered sugar is evenly distributed, tossing to coat the cereal with powdered sugar.
8. Chill the mixture again in the refrigerator until it’s set (about another 30-60 minutes).
9. Add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time until the cereal/pretzel mixture is coated.
10. Add M&Ms and peanut butter cups and stir to combine.
11. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
Notes
Semisweet chocolate: Dark or semi-sweet chocolate is recommended over milk chocolate, which may make the mix too sweet. Allergy-friendly brands like Hu Kitchen or Enjoy Life Foods work well.
Creamy peanut butter: Any nut or seed butter such as almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter can be used.
Rice Chex Cereal: Generic brands or Crispex cereal also work.
Mini Pretzels: Either mini pretzels or sticks are fine, as long as they’re broken into small pieces. Avoid large varieties.
Powdered Sugar: Do not substitute the powdered sugar; it’s essential for coating.
Candy: Feel free to substitute with your favorite festive candy, but red and green M&Ms with mini peanut butter cups provide great flavor and holiday flair.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
