Reindeer Food Recipe

Name: Reindeer Food Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Rice Chex cereal; 2 cups plain Cheerios; 2 cups mini pretzels; 2 cups Christmas M&M’s; 1-2 cups peanuts, (salted or unsalted); 1 (16-ounce) package white almond bark

This reindeer food recipe is one of our favorite traditions that adds a touch of MAGIC to the Christmas season.

We make it every season, usually a few days before Christmas. It’s the perfect treat to leave out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve, but also a delicious snack for us humans to enjoy!

It’s made with a mixture of cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms, all coated in a creamy white chocolate bark. Just 15 minutes of hands-on work then you simply let it set!

Try our Christmas Snack Mix or Christmas Puppy Chow for more favorites!

Why we think you’ll love it:

Perfect for Christmas Eve. We usually make it a few days before Christmas, and then we leave it out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Kids can help. Reindeer food is a great way to get your kids involved in the holiday festivities.
Prep in 15 minutes. Just mix and coat then let it set. It’s a perfect easy dessert for making with kids!

Reindeer Food Recipe Ingredients

Rice Chex cereal (2 cups): Light, crispy squares that hold the coating and add airy crunch. Or Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, or another favorite.
Plain Cheerios (2 cups): Toasty oat rings for gentle sweetness and texture contrast.
Mini pretzels (2 cups): Salty snap that balances the sweetness and adds fun shapes.
Christmas M&M’s (2 cups): Pops of chocolate and color that make the mix look festive.
Peanuts, salted or unsalted (1–2 cups): Nutty crunch and a savory note; choose salted for more sweet salty contrast. Or walnuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews
White almond bark (1, 16-ounce package): Melts smooth and coats evenly so clusters set crisp and glossy. Or white candy wafers. If using white chocolate chips, add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil to help it melt better.
optional mix-ins – holiday sprinkles. Add plain popcorn, bugles, craisins, mini marshmallows, and extra types of cereal (the total amount of mix-ins should be 9-10 cups).

How to Make Reindeer Food

Cereal, nuts, pretzels, and M&Ms all mixed in a bowl.

COMBINE. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups Chex, 2 cups Cheerios, 2 cups pretzels, 2 cups red and green M&M’s, and 1-2 cups peanuts and mix well.

Pouring almond candy coating over cereal mix.

Stirring to coat the cereal mix in candy coating.

COAT. Break 16 ounces of almond bark into pieces and melt in a medium pot over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.

Spreading the snack mix on a cookie sheet to cool.

COOL. Pour melted bark over the cereal mixture and mix well. Spread out onto wax paper or onto a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Let set for 1 hour, then break into pieces to serve.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

Use a very large bowl to toss so every piece gets coated.
Melt almond bark low and slow, stir constantly for a smooth finish.
Melt in the microwave: Place in a microwave-safe bowl, melt on full power for one minute, and stir. Return for 15-second intervals stirring each time until smooth.
Work quickly after pouring the coating; spread in a single layer for fast, even setting.
For extra holiday color, sprinkle a few M&M’s on top before it sets.

A red and white bowl filled with our reindeer food recipe.

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Reindeer Food Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

Reindeer Food Recipe mixes Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and M&M’s in creamy white chocolate, a quick make ahead treat.

Servings: 10

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Rest Time: 1

Total: 1 15

Equipment

cookie sheet

Video

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
▢ 2 cups plain Cheerios
▢ 2 cups mini pretzels
▢ 2 cups Christmas M&M’s
▢ 1-2 cups peanuts, salted or unsalted
▢ 1 (16-ounce) package white almond bark

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, M&M’s, and peanuts and mix well.
Break almond bark into pieces and melt in a medium pot over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
Pour melted bark over cereal mixture and mix well.
Spread out onto wax paper or a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Let set for 1 hour, then break into pieces to serve.

Notes

Melt almond bark in the microwave. Place in a microwave-safe bowl, melt on full power for one minute, and stir. Return for 15-second intervals stirring each time until smooth.

Store. Once set, keep it in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. Store at room temperature for 10-14 days

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 412kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 321mg, Potassium: 217mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 364IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 109mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.