Christmas Chex Mix

Sweet, salty and perfect for sharing, Christmas Chex Mix is festive and simple to put together. Calling for just seven easy to find ingredients, this sweet and salty chex mix recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes. Makes 12 servings.

A bowl of Christmas Chex Mix with holly

If you’re in the market for a recipe that’s great for sharing this holiday season, this one is for YOU.

Not only is it excellent to share, but it’s also very easy to make for any type of gathering.

So if you’re hosting a cookie exchange and need a sweet-salty snack? This is it.

If you’re hosting a cookie decorating party and don’t want guests to just eat cookies for the duration of the party? This is an excellent option!

Why I love this recipe:

I’m a big sweet-salty food fan, so this Christmas Chex Mix recipe is right up my alley.

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    What’s not to love?

    • It’s perfect for holiday snacking, as well as gifting.
    • Speaking of snacking, this would go over splendidly at a holiday party!
    • You could add it to a Cookie Gift Box, and that would be a colorful, tasty addition!
    • You can also customize it to your tastebuds, and I talk about that at length below.

    It combines two well-loved cereals with salted peanuts, pretzels, chocolate-coated candies, sprinkles AND white chocolate.

    I mean… how could we NOT celebrate with this Holiday Chex Mix?

    Other easy festive treats to make and share: Chocolate Dipped Pretzels | Christmas Rice Krispie Treats | Christmas Funfetti Cookies | Chex Mix Puppy Chow | Sweet and Savory Party Mix | No Bake Peppermint Bark Cookies | M&M Christmas Cookie Bars | Chocolate Covered Ritz Cracker Cookies

    Need sweet inspiration? Check out my Dessert Recipe Index for more ideas.

    Ingredients for Sweet and Salty Chex Mix recipe in bowls on marble

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Chex Cereal—you can use rice, corn or any combination of the two. I used the Rice Chex in these photos.
    • Cheerios—you can use regular or Honey Nut Cheerios for this recipe.
    • Mini pretzel twists—you could also use small pretzel rods if you like those better, but I personally like the shape of these!
    • Lightly salted roasted peanuts—these add such a nice salty crunch!
    • Holiday M&M’s (or other colorful chocolate-coated candies)—these add some pops of color and crunch to the snack mixture!
    • White chocolate melting chips—I like these better than white chocolate chips because they melt more easily. These Ghirardelli White Melting Wafers are my favorite.
    • Holiday-themed sprinkles—for more color and texture!

    Please note that we’re NOT using corn syrup or peanut butter to hold these together. (If you want peanut butter, let me suggest making Chex Mix Puppy Chow.)

    Substitutions for this Sweet and Salty Chex Mix recipe:

    Because you can definitely make ‘em, here are a few thoughts on what swaps would still yield an awesome result.

    • Chex Mix: You can use a combination of rice, wheat and corn or all one variety. These photos show 3 cups Rice Chex and 3 cups Corn Chex.
    • Cheerios: You can substitute regular Cheerios for the Honey Nut variety in this recipe.
    • Pretzels: You may use pretzel twists, as shown here, or rods!
    • Sprinkles: Use your favorite! While this is a Christmas-themed Chex Mix recipe, you can change up the colors of the sprinkles and candies and make it for any holiday… or just because!
    A collage showing four steps to putting together Christmas Chex Mix

    How to make Christmas Chex Mix

    Gather your products and tools. This means finding an extra large mixing bowl, as well as getting out the boxes and bags of ingredients.

    Mix the ingredients together. Do this in an extra large bowl because there is a lot of cereals, pretzel twists, and roasted peanuts to stir together.

    Pour onto a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle those M&M’s on top. (Or whatever chocolate-covered candies you’re using.)

    Melt the white chocolate chips. Do this in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat them on high power for 60 seconds. Give them a stir to help them finish melting and smooth out the chocolate.

    Pro tip!

    White chocolate burns easily, so keep an eye on it.

    If any large chunks of white chocolate are remaining after you’ve melted for 60 seconds and stirred thoroughly, melt for another 15-second increment and stir until it’s smooth.

    Drizzle on the white chocolate to the cereal mixture.

    Sprinkle the holiday sprinkles onto the white chocolate. This will ensure they stick and don’t fall off!

    Stir to combine. Use a spoon, rubber spatula or clean hands to mix and toss the mixture to evenly distribute the white chocolate. Work quickly so that you can coat everything before the chocolate sets.

    Let sit. It needs to hang out for 15 minutes so the chocolate can finish setting and cool completely. Trust me here.

    Break it up. If there are any large chunks, break them apart using your hands.

    Serve! And enjoy!

    Close up of tossed Christmas Chex Mix on a pan

    Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

    This Christmas Chex Mix would be an excellent snack item to serve at any gathering this holiday season, whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange or a cookie decorating party.

    You don’t really need an occasion to make this goodness, though.

    Here are some things you can do if you want to serve these to a crowd:

    • Make the snack mix in advance. The beauty in this is it can be stored for up to four days at room temperature, so you can make it a day or two in advance, then set it out for guests without needing to sweat.
    • Serve it in a big bowl… or package it up individually for guests! You could put it in a small bakery box or even an individual to-go baggies.
    • Swap out colors for different festivities. Wouldn’t this sweet and salty Chex Mix recipe be fun with rainbow colors to celebrate a birthday?
    Collage showing Chex mix in a bowl, as well as on a plate

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make substitutions to this recipe?

    Yes. I’ve included them in the recipe card below because there are a lot of substitutions you can make.

    A bowl of Christmas Chex Mix with a serving on a plate

    The best tricks and tips for homemade snack mix

    • Want those sprinkles to stick? Evenly sprinkle on the sprinkles as soon as you are done drizzling on the white chocolate. This will ensure that the sprinkles stick to the chocolate. Otherwise, the chocolate will start to set, and the sprinkles will fall off.
    • How to mix in the melted chocolate. The easiest way to mix the melted white chocolate into the mixture is on a large tray or baking sheet. You quickly and evenly distribute the melted chocolate before it starts to set.
    • How to store: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.

    Chex Mix recipes for Christmas and other holidays:

    A bowl of Christmas Chex Mix with holly

    Christmas Chex Mix

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Sweet, salty and perfect for sharing, ChristmasChex Mix is festive and simple to put together. Calling for just seven easy to find ingredients, this sweet and salty chex mix recipe is ready in less than 30minutes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 628 kcal
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 1 minute
    Cooling Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 26 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups Chex Cereal
    • 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
    • 1 cup mini pretzel twists
    • 1 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
    • 2 cups Holiday M&M’s
    • 20 oz. white chocolate melting chips
    • 2 tablespoons holiday-themed sprinkles

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Toss together the chex cereal, cheerios, pretzel twists, and roasted peanuts in an extra large mixing bowl.
    • Pour the mix onto a large rimmed baking sheet.
    • Sprinkle the M&M candies on top of the cereal mixture.
    • Melt the white chocolate melting chips. Place the chips in a microwave safe-bowl and heat on high power for 60 seconds. Stir well to finish melting and smoothing out the chocolate. (If any large chunks remain, melt for another 15 seconds and stir, stir, stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Keep an eye on it because white chocolate burns very easily.)
    • Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cereal mixture immediately.
    • Sprinkle the holiday sprinkles on top of the white chocolate to ensure it sticks.
    • Use a spoon, rubber spatula or clean hands to mix and toss the mixture to evenly distribute the white chocolate before it sets. Work quickly because the chocolate sets up faster than you might imagine.
    • Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes so that the chocolate can finish cooling and setting.
    • Use your hands to break up any large chunks of the mixture.
    • Transfer to a large serving bowl, and enjoy!

    Notes

    How to store: Store leftover mix in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.
    Substitution Notes:

    •Chex Mix: You can use a combination of rice and corn or all one variety. These photos show 3 cups Rice Chex and 3 cups Corn Chex.
    •Cheerios: You can substitute regular Cheerios for the Honey Nut variety in this recipe.
    •Pretzels: You may use pretzel twists, as shown here, or rods!
    Other tips and tricks:

    ●Evenly sprinkle on the sprinkles the moment you are done drizzling on the white chocolate so that it sticks to the chocolate. Otherwise, the chocolate will start to set and the sprinkles will fall off.
    ●The easiest way to mix the melted white chocolate into the mixture is on a large tray or baking sheet. You quickly and evenly distribute the melted chocolate before it starts to set.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 628kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 10gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 342mgFiber: 4gSugar: 56g
    Keyword chex mix, desserts, snack mix, sweet and salty chex mix
    Course Desserts & Sweet Treats
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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