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Christmas Crunch Mix (Christmas Trash)

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Our Christmas crunch recipe is packed with sweet and savory flavors, crunchy textures and is a festive party snack for the holidays. Ready in about an hour, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients to make this addicting salty sweet snack mix.

This tasty treat hits all the best snack notes. The pretzels, popcorn and Chex mix bring the crunch to the party with the chocolate and candies offering the perfect sweet complement to this slightly salty mix. And you can easily customize the recipe to include your trail mix favorites.

Christmas crunch Chex mix on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

It’s only fair that I give you a warning. This Christmas party mix is one that you can’t just eat one bite of! Be sure to try my Christmas crack crockpot candy and gingerbread snack mix – they’re both favorites. 

This versatile mix goes by many names: Christmas Trash, Christmas Crack, and Christmas Crack Chex Mix are a few I’ve seen. Whatever you call this it, this tasty treat is perfect for holiday parties and a great addition to your holiday movie night lineup.

And while I know the holiday season brings out the baker in us, it’s nice to have a few no-bake recipes at the ready to save some time (and stress!). These easy treats also free up oven space for main course dishes and hot appetizers. 

Christmas Crunch Mix Ingredients

  • popped popcorn – plain or lightly buttered works well 
  • Chex cereal – rice or corn 
  • mini twist pretzels
  • M&Ms candy – look for the red and green holiday edition 
  • cashews – get the whole ones
  • nonpareils – tiny ball-shaped sprinkles
  • white chocolate chips
  • coconut oil 

How to Make Christmas Crunch Snack Mix 

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 

Mix together the popcorn, cereal, pretzels, M&Ms, and cashews in a large bowl

side by side images of a glass bowl of christmas crunch chex mix ingredients and a baking sheet of it with text overlay.

Then spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet. 

Place white chocolate in a microwave safe small bowl. Microwave the white chocolate in 10 to 20 second intervals until melted, stirring between each cycle until it’s smooth. Stir in the coconut oil. 

Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the Chex popcorn mixture and top with the red and green sprinkles. 

two images with white chocolate chips in a bowl and a tray full of christmas trash mix with text overlay.

Gently mix using a spatula so that the snack mix is mostly covered in chocolate. 

Allow the mixture to set up before spooning into a serving bowl or individual packages. 

Recipe Variations and Substitutions 

You can mix and match just about anything in this festive treat. Check out these popular options: 

  • Popcorn: swap for kettle corn or caramel corn 
  • Cereal: Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honeycombs
  • Crackers: Teddy Grahams or Annie’s Bunny graham crackers 
  • Candy: Peanut M&Ms, crushed candy canes, peppermints, Reese’s pieces
  • Nuts: almonds, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pistachios, honey roasted peanuts 
  • Other: mini marshmallows, Bugles, and different flavors of Chex mix are a few tasty options 
  • Nonpareils: use other sprinkles such as jimmies, coarse sugar sprinkles, or a festive holiday mix 
  • Oil: I prefer using coconut oil but you can swap it for a neutral oil like vegetable 
  • Chocolate: use dark or milk chocolate
close up of christmas crack chex mix.

Can I use candy melts in place of chocolate chips?

We prefer to use chocolate chips because they give a creamier texture and richer chocolate flavor. But you can substitute candy melts (or chocolate melting wafers) if that’s what you have on hand. Note that you will NOT need the oil if you are using the candy melts.

Can I use different shapes of pretzels?

Yes you can. Pretzel sticks and pretzel squares are a good substitution for the mini twists. If you are using larger pretzels I recommend breaking them into smaller, bite size pieces for easier eating.

Christmas Treats for Gift Giving

I love to make and give tasty treats for the holidays and this sweet and salty snack makes a delicious gift for friends, neighbors, teachers and hostesses. I’ve even used it for classroom treats and bake sales.

To turn this into an easy edible gift, simply place the Christmas crunch mix in cellophane bags, add a tag and tie it off with a pretty ribbon. Easy peasy!

How to make this recipe for other holidays?

It’s easy to make this Christmas trash party mix year round. Simply swap out the colors of the candies and sprinkles to coordinate with any holiday or celebration.

How to Store Leftover Snack Mix

Keep the cooled Christmas crack Chex mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 10 days. 

This holiday Chex mix can also be frozen if you want to make it ahead of time. Store the cooled mix in an airtight freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. 


Christmas crunch Chex mix in muffin cups and the mix on a tray with text overlay.

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cookie sheet with christmas crack chex mix

Christmas Crunch Chex Mix

You'll love this tasty blend of cereal, popcorn, pretzels, holiday candy, and white chocolate – it's perfect for snacking, gatherings or gifting.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Candy, Holiday Treats, party food
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 16 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 388kcal
Author: Lori @ A Reinvented Mom

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the popcorn, cereal, pretzels, chocolate candy, and cashews.
  • Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in an even layer.
  • Microwave the white chocolate in 10 to 20 second increments, stirring between cycles, until completely melted and smooth. Mix the coconut oil into the white chocolate.
  • Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the snack mix.
  • Generously sprinkle the nonpareils over the snack mix.
  • Use a spoon or spatula to gently mix the white chocolate and sprinkles into the snack mix, making sure to coat the snack mix as thoroughly as possible. Spread into an even layer.
  • Allow the mixture to sit uncovered until the chocolate has set and dried.
  • Spoon the snack mix into a large serving bowl or package in individual servings.

Notes

  • This snack mix is customizable and you can mix and match many different ingredients into it. Sub in or add any of these: caramel corn, kettle corn, Cheerios cereal, Golden Grahams cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, Honeycomb cereal, Teddy Grahams or Annie’s Bunny Grahams crackers, peanut M&Ms, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, peanuts, honey roasted peanuts, crushed candy canes or peppermints, mini marshmallows.
  • Store in an airtight container on the counter for 7-10 days.
Tried this recipe?Mention @AReinventedMom or tag #areinventedmom

Nutritional Estimate

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.

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4 Comments

  1. This looks delicious!

    Thanks for linking up with Comfy Cozy Christmas! ~ Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life

  2. I just love the name of this recipe. I love the combination, so I am definitely going to have to make this sometime soon!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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