Christmas Poppy Chow Recipe | Sweet, Crunchy Holiday Snack Mix

I just made a big bowl of this festive Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe and I can’t wait to share it with you. As I stirred melted chocolate and peanut butter into cereal, the kitchen smelled like holiday magic. It’s fun, easy, and every bite feels like a little celebration.

Whether I’m watching Christmas movies or sneaking a handful between planning gifts, this treat always disappears fast. If you love making sweet, holiday-inspired desserts, you might also enjoy my Festive Ginger Cheesecake Cookies Recipe.

It pairs perfectly with this mix for any Christmas party. Let me walk you through how I make mine and how you can make yours.

Ingredients

Here’s what I used (and why each item helps make it extra special):

8 cups Chex cereal (I used chocolate Chex for extra richness) — this crisp base soaks flavors but stays crunchy.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips — melts smoothly and balances sweetness.
½ cup smooth peanut butter — gives richness and helps the chocolate coat the cereal.
¼ cup unsalted butter — helps thin the mixture so it coats evenly.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract — adds depth and rounds out flavors.
2 1⁄4 cups powdered sugar, divided — for that “snowy” candy coating effect.
2 cups holiday-shaped pretzels or mini pretzel twists — adds salty crunch and visual charm.
1 cup white melting wafers or white chocolate chips — used to drizzle on pretzels for contrast.
2 tablespoons of Christmas-colored sprinkles — to decorate and elevate the festive look.
1 cup mini Reese’s peanut butter cups (unwrapped) — mini bites of extra indulgence.
1 cup holiday M&M’s (any flavor you like) — for color, candy fun, and extra sweetness.

Note: Makes about 20 servings

Variations

If you want to tweak the recipe, here are some creative swaps and add-ins:

Dairy-free: use vegan chocolate chips, vegan “butter,” and nut or seed butter (like sunflower butter).
Sugar-reduced: reduce powdered sugar or use a powdered erythritol blend, though texture might change slightly.
Nut-free: omit peanut butter and peanut butter cups; double the chocolate instead or use sunflower butter.
Colorful twist: use red & green candy melts instead of semisweet chocolate — you can skip the final powdered sugar coating.
Add-ins: mini marshmallows, bits of graham crackers for a s’mores touch, or crushed candy canes for peppermint flavor.
Pretzel variation: try chocolate covered pretzels or peppermint fudge pretzels for extra holiday flair.

For more Christmas candy fun, try my Chewy Christmas Toffee Recipe — it’s another irresistible sweet treat that adds sparkle to your dessert table.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: ~ 20 minutes
Cook/Melt Time: ~ 10 minutes
Total Time: ~ 45 minutes

Equipment you need

Large mixing bowl — to toss cereal and coating together.
Microwave-safe bowl (or double boiler setup) — for melting chocolate, peanut butter, and butter.
Large resealable plastic bag (or lidded pot) — to shake and coat with powdered sugar.
Baking sheet or sheet pan — to spread out the mixture and chill.
Parchment paper (optional) — helps prevent sticking when setting.
Spoon or spatula — for gentle stirring and folding.

How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow

Melt and combine chocolate, peanut butter, and butter

Melt semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together in increments (about 30 seconds in the microwave, stirring between each) until smooth and fully combined. Then stir in vanilla extract.

Coat the cereal

Place Chex cereal in a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture over it, then gently stir until each piece is evenly coated.

Sugar coat the mixture and chill

Transfer the coated cereal into a large bag or container, add 1½ cups powdered sugar, and shake until coated. Spread on a sheet pan, chill in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes until it firms.

Decorate the pretzels

While cereal chills, melt the white wafers. Lay the holiday pretzels on parchment and drizzle the melted white chocolate over them. Immediately sprinkle colored sprinkles before it sets.

Final mix and candy addition

Once the cereal mix is chilled, transfer back to a bowl or bag, add the remaining ¾ cup powdered sugar and shake until fully white (snowy). Then spread out, sprinkle on M&M’s, peanut butter cups, and top with decorated pretzels. Serve or package.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Here’s what I’ve learned by making this again and again:

Use fresh, not stale, cereal — stale ones absorb moisture and lose crunch.
Don’t overheat the chocolate mix; take care in 15-second bursts to avoid burning.
I like to coat in powdered sugar in two stages (first to set, then again) for perfect “snowy” coverage.
Chill briefly before adding candy — if too warm, M&M’s or peanut butter cups may melt.
Use a big enough bag or container to shake freely without crushing cereal.

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow

This snack is ideal for holiday parties, gift tins, or casual nibbling. I like to serve it in a large festive bowl with a scoop so guests can help themselves. For presentation, sprinkle extra colored candies on top and tuck pretzels around the edges.

You can also package small portions in little cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for gifting. The contrast of red, green, and white candies makes the mix look like holiday confetti.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an approximate breakdown per serving (estimating 20 servings):

Calories: ~ 355 kcal
Protein: ~ 5 g
Carbohydrates: ~ 52 g
Fat: ~ 16 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Storage

Store the fully made mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for over a week — though in my house it’s usually gone faster.

Freezing

You can freeze Christmas Puppy Chow in sealed freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature before opening so condensation doesn’t make it soggy.

Reheating / Restoring

If it softens, gently re-chill in the fridge or freezer for 5–10 minutes. If powdered sugar has settled or gone dull, add a light toss of extra powdered sugar to freshen its appearance.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why I reach for this mix every holiday season:

It’s incredibly easy — no baking, just melting and mixing.
Super customizable — swap in your favorite candies, flavors, or make it diet-friendly.
Visually festive — red, green, white layers of candy make it look special.
Great for gifting — easy to portion into jars or tins for friends.
Crowd pleaser — salty from pretzels, sweet from chocolate and candies — it hits every note.

Ash Tyrrell