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Christmas Chex Mix
MD Ashraf Ahmed

Christmas Chex Mix

I've made this mix many times in my kitchen, and it never fails. It's crunchy, sweet, a little salty, and ready in under 30 minutes. No oven needed. It's great for parties and homemade gifts.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Snack, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex or a mix, about one 12-oz box
  • 2 cups mini pretzel twists
  • 1½ to 2 cups red and green Christmas M&Ms
  • 16 oz white chocolate or almond bark bars or melting wafers
  • 1 cup lightly salted peanuts or cashews optional, skip for nut-free
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons holiday sprinkles optional
  • ½ teaspoon flaky salt optional

Method
 

  1. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment or wax paper.
  2. Add the Chex cereal, pretzels, and optional nuts to a very large bowl. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Chop the white chocolate into small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.
  4. Microwave at 50% power in 20–30 second bursts, stirring well after each one. Stop when most of it has melted, then stir until smooth. Keep all tools completely dry so the chocolate doesn't seize.
  5. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mix. Fold gently from the bottom up with a rubber spatula until evenly coated. Work quickly before the chocolate hardens.
  6. Add the Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles. Fold once more, without overmixing, so the colors stay bright.
  7. Spread the mix in an even layer on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with flaky salt if you like.
  8. Let it set at room temperature for 45–90 minutes, or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to speed things up.
  9. Break the mix into clusters with your hands. Serve right away or store.

Notes

  • Use bars or melting wafers instead of chips. They melt smoother and coat better.
  • If the chocolate turns grainy, stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable or coconut oil to smooth it out.
  • Cool the mix completely before storing so it stays crisp.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw 15–20 minutes before serving. Avoid the fridge, since moisture softens the cereal.
  • For a nut-free version, skip the nuts and add extra pretzels or Cheerios.
  • Easy twists: add ½ cup crushed candy canes for peppermint, or 1 cup mini peanut butter cups for a richer taste.
  • One batch fills about six to eight small gift bags.