Irresistible Grinch Snack Mix (Puppy Chow Style)

Festive and colorful, our Grinch Snack Mix recipe is a quick treat that’s perfect for holiday parties and family movie nights. Made with simple ingredients, it features the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors that’s sure to satisfy your snack cravings.  

With salty pretzels, crunchy Chex cereal, candies and creamy chocolate, this party mix has a delicious blend of flavors and textures that will keep the whole family coming back for more. Easy to prepare, this no-bake recipe is customizable and adds a festive touch to your snack table. 

Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) is fun twist on the classic Chex Mix recipe and a favorite treat in my home. But we wanted to make a holiday version to tie in with the Christmas vibe. So we came up with this fun Grinch-inspired variation with festive red, green and white colors.

A quick and easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy holiday schedule or a last minute treat. And it’s simple enough for your kids to help out, making for a fun family activity. Or package it in clear bags with a festive ribbon for a delicious and colorful gift from your kitchen. 

For more fun Grinch-themed treats be sure to check out our Grinch edible sugar cookie dough, Grinch rocky road clusters, Grinch hot cocoa bombs and easy Grinch cupcakes recipes.

So, are you ready to make this festive snack mix? Grab your ingredients and let’s make a batch of this irresistible treat that’s perfect for the season.

What is Grinch Snack Mix?

You might be wondering what makes this snack mix so special. Rather than the traditional beige Chex mix blends, this mix is popping with color and flavor. And we’re using a take on the Muddy Buddy recipe (also known as Puppy Chow) as the base. 

The colors are inspired by Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie – it’s made with green candy melts, sweet red hearts, green candies and a coating of powdered sugar “snow”.

Grinch Snack Mix Ingredients

For the Puppy Chow

• Rice Chex cereal: you can use Corn Chex cereal if preferred. 
• Dark green candy melts: adds to the holiday feels with a vibrant Grinchy hue.
• Powdered sugar: gives a sweet coating that’s simply irresistible.

For the Grinch Pretzels

• Square pretzels: salty and crunchy, we’re using these as the base.
• Light green candy melts: melted over the pretzels to create a colorful layer.
• Red candy hearts: a nod to the Grinch’s growing heart.

Snack Mix Extras

Green candy: for extra color and sweetness. Use M&Ms, Skittles, jelly beans, gum drops, nonpareils or your favorite candy.

How to Make Snack Mix with a Grinch Theme

Grinch Pretzel Bites Directions

1. Preheat your oven: set the oven to 200 degrees F. 
2. Assemble the pretzels: lay the square pretzels flat on a large rimmed cookie sheet and top each one with a candy melt disk.
3. Bake and top: bake for 4-5 minutes or until the melts look shiny. Remove from the oven and quickly press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each candy.
4. Cool down: let these cool for at least 15 minutes before adding to the snack mix.

Grinch Puppy Chow Directions

1. Prep the cereal: place the cereal in a large bowl and set it aside. 
2. Melt the chocolate wafers: in a small microwave safe bowl, melt the candy disks. Start with 1 minute, then stir and continue heating in 10-20 second intervals until smooth. 
3. Coat the cereal: pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and gently toss it to coat each piece evenly.
4. Add the powdered sugar: transfer the coated cereal into a large resealable bag. Add 1 cup of confectioners sugar, seal the bag, and give it a good shake until all pieces are covered. Set this mix aside for now.

Combining the Snack Mix

1. Mix it up: pour the cereal mixture into a large serving bowl or large baking sheet.
2. Add the pretzels and candy: top the Puppy Chow with the Grinch pretzels and green candies. Gently stir until everything is mixed well.

Tips for Making Holiday Mix

• Melt the chocolate disks slowly and stir them after every 10-20 seconds to avoid scorching. 
• Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on your family’s taste preferences or what you have on hand.
• For less mess, use a resealable plastic bag when adding the confectioners sugar to the cereal.
• Cool the mix completely before storing.

Recipe Substitutions & Variations

One of the best parts about making a snack mix recipe is how customizable it is. Not sure where to start? Here are some of our favorite ideas for inspiration:

• Use other flavors of Chex cereals like multi-grain, chocolate, peanut butter or cinnamon.
• If you can’t find green candy melts, use white chocolate melts with a few drops of green food coloring.
• Don’t have red heart candies? Use mini red M&Ms, gummy hearts, or even cinnamon candies as a substitute.
• Use colored sprinkles for a festive touch.
• Add roasted peanuts, cashews or almonds for a nutty crunch.
• More add-in ideas: popcorn, mini peanut butter cups, milk, dark or white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows.
• Change the colors to make this for other holidays, like red or pink for Valentine’s Day.

Can I make this Christmas snack mix recipe ahead of time?

While you can make this up to 5 days ahead of time if stored correctly, I prefer to make it 1-2 days before for optimal freshness.

Sweet Snack Mix Serving Ideas

From festive parties to a cozy holiday movie night, there’s always a great reason to share this treat. Here’s some of our favorite ways to serve it:

For cozy nights at home, pair this sweet treat with mugs of whipped hot cocoa and a tray of Christmas cookies. Or pair it with savory foods like a cheese tray.

For parties, serve it up in a big festive bowl or in individual Mason jars. Or package it in individual treat bags for party favors or a take-home gift.

For a movie party, include it with a DIY snack bar and provide snack-sized bowls so everyone can scoop their own while watching their favorite Christmas movies.

How to Store Leftover Grinch-Themed Snack Mix

Properly storing this tasty treat ensures it stays fresh and tasty for days. Place the cooled mix in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag – be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

The mix will keep for 5-7 days when stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. 

Quick to make and endlessly adaptable, this Christmas treat is sure to bring smiles. And with vibrant colors and a satisfying crunch it’s a festive addition to your holiday season.