Last Updated on August 15, 2026 by Kimberly Stroh

When you need an easy holiday treat that doesn’t require a lot of time in the kitchen, this Christmas Snack Mix is the perfect recipe. It combines sweet and salty favorites into one festive snack that both kids and adults will love.

I especially love recipes like this during the busy holiday season because there’s no complicated baking involved. Simply mix everything together, add your favorite festive touches, and you have a snack that’s ready for Christmas parties, holiday movie nights, school celebrations, or sharing with friends and family.

It also makes a fun homemade holiday gift. Package the snack mix in a festive bag, jar, or holiday container, and you have an inexpensive treat that’s easy to share.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Snack Mix

I can think of so many reasons to keep a festive snack on hand: movie nights, parties, holiday school breaks, or even family visiting in town. Make the snack mix ahead of time and then keep it on hand to use during the season. I make mine in November, and we enjoy it through the New Year. You’ll love how easy it comes together and how convenient it is to keep on hand. My kids munch on the snack mix while we watch movies.

Easy Christmas Snack Mix Ingredients:

• Milk Chocolate Chips – Add the touch of sweetness and helps the powdered sugar stick
• Peanut Butter – For the peanut butter and chocolate flavoring
• Chex Mix – The original Chex Mix cereal
• Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioner’s sugar
• Red and Green M&M’s – Find it in the candy aisle
• Holiday Dots Candy – the chewy dot candy
• Kettle Corn Popcorn – Butter works too, but I like the sweetness that kettle adds
• Pretzels – I use the grid-shaped pretzel, but any shape works

Christmas Mix Variations

One of the best things about Christmas Snack Mix is how easy it is to customize. You can use the recipe as a starting point and swap in different cereals, pretzels, nuts, candies, or other favorite snacks depending on what your family enjoys. It’s also a great way to use up small amounts of ingredients you already have in the pantry.

For a more festive look, add red and green candies, holiday-colored M&M’s, Christmas sprinkles, or seasonal chocolates. You can also mix in mini marshmallows, popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, peppermint pieces, or white chocolate-coated cereal for even more holiday flavor.

How to Store Christmas Snack Mix For Freshness

To keep your Christmas Snack Mix fresh and crunchy, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. A large food storage container with a tight-fitting lid works well, or you can divide the snack mix into smaller containers or resealable bags if you plan to serve it throughout the holiday season.

Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Moisture can cause the cereal, pretzels, and other crunchy ingredients to lose their texture, so seal the container well after each serving. Just be sure to let any chocolate-coated ingredients fully set before placing everything into an airtight container.

How to Package Your Mix as a Holiday Gift

If you’re packaging the mix as a gift, use food-safe cellophane bags, mason jars, or festive containers with tight-fitting lids. Add a ribbon and a simple gift tag for an easy homemade Christmas treat. I add a bow, and sometimes I’ll add the recipe card for a festive touch. Not only does it give the recipe away, but it also alerts the consumer to the ingredients (in this case, nut products).

More Christmas Snack Recipes:

• Baked Caramel Corn Without Corn Syrup
• Christmas Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip
• Reindeer Christmas Snack For Kids

How to Make Easy Christmas Snack Mix Step-by-Step

Place 1 cup of milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Stir in ½ cup of peanut butter until well combined with the melted chocolate. In a large bowl, add 6 cups of Chex Mix and pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over it.

Stir gently until the Chex mix is evenly coated.

Add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the coated Chex mix and toss until fully covered.

Spread the coated Chex mix on a lined baking sheet or parchment paper and let it cool until the chocolate sets. Once cooled, mix the Chex with red and green M&M’s, Dots, kettle corn popcorn, and pretzels in a large bowl.

Serve or store in an airtight container for later. Enjoy your festive holiday Chex mix!