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Reindeer Chow
When I was a kid, deciding which cookies my sister and I were going to leave for Santa was a very big deal. He had to have the best of our selection, and we had to make sure he had enough; he did have a long night ahead of him, after all. We also made sure that we left enough for him to take back to Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, as we instructed in the carefully crafted note that we left next to the cookies.
Once we knew that Santa and Mrs. Claus were taken care of, our attention turned to the reindeer. They needed their energy if they were going to be flying all night, right? We varied our selections for the reindeer – some years it was carrots and others we decided to let them splurge and left sugar cubes. Our eyes would light up on Christmas morning when we found a plate of crumbs and a note that Santa left, telling us how good the cookies were and how much the reindeer enjoyed their special treat.
Now, I’m no reindeer expert, but I would guess that given the choice, a reindeer would much rather eat a plate of this reindeer chow than a measly old sugar cube or carrot. Who wouldn’t prefer a mix of Rice Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels and M&MS… all coated in melted white chocolate and then broken into chunks? That’s what I thought ;-)
It’s been at least five years since my mom’s cousin brought a tin of this deliciousness over to my grandma’s when she made her Christmas visit. My poor grandma, I’m not sure how much she even got to enjoy, with everyone else’s grubby little hands taking helping after helping. The stuff is ridiculously addictive, which isn’t exactly surprising, given that it’s sweet, salty, and covered in chocolate. My mom made sure to scribble down the recipe before her cousin left, and finally I’ve made it again. No sooner was it portioned into tins, it began mysteriously disappearing, handful by handful.
This is an awesome treat to keep in your fridge for unexpected company during the holidays, and would also be fabulous packaged up in little goody bags to give away as gifts. Just make sure to save some for yourself. I guarantee no one else will want to share!
One year ago: Gingerbread Men Cookies
Two years ago: Peanut Butter Fudge
Five years ago: Buckeyes
Watch How to Make Reindeer Chow:
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A delicious sweet and salty treat for the holidays. You can substitute white candy melts for the white chocolate and shortening.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper; set aside.
In a very large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels and M&Ms.
In a medium bowl, melt the white chocolate and shortening in the microwave on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted.
Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and quickly toss together until everything is pretty evenly coated in the white chocolate. Spread the mixture out on the prepared pan and refrigerate until it's set, about 20 minutes. Break up any chunks and store in tins or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 522kcal
Fat: 30g
Saturated fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 221mg
Potassium: 283mg
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 36g
Protein: 10g
Vitamin A: 3.6%
Vitamin C: 1.2%
Calcium: 13.1%
Iron: 17%
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I don’t recommend using salted roasted peanuts from the bulk bins at the grocery. It doesn’t give it the right flavor! I am going to have to make it again with regular peanuts from the nut section! Hopefully it will turn out better!
I made this today, and it is AMAZING! So good, and so easy to make. But be warned…it is addictive!! :)
Reindeer chow is similar to one I make– I add whole pecans instead of peanuts, add some fruit loops for color ,add ghirardelli wafers instead of shorting and use seasonal m&m s if available. This never lasts very long!
Hi Michelle,
I love the awesome photos of your family and the stories that you share!ย
I was wondering, if I were to use coconut oil in place of the solid shortening
would it taste more like coconut? Is it possible to use butter in place of the shorteningย
or coconut oil?
Wishing you and your adorable family (puppies too) a wonderful holiday!
Made this for a club Christmas dinner as door prizes! ย Was very good!
This recipe was so easy and yummy!
Can reindeer chow be frozen? If so, how long?
Hi Sharon, I think you COULD but it’s probably not necessary. I’ve made it kept it in the refrigerator for up to a month and it stays perfectly fine!
Seems I am the only one that has a shortening question, do you mean like Crisco solid? Please. why would you need that? Would like to make for Christmas, Thank you
Hi Carolyn, Yes, solid Crisco shortening; it is necessary to keep the white chocolate smooth and from clumping up when it coats the ingredients. You can replace the white chocolate + shortening with the same amount of Candi Quik if you’d like.
What can be substituted for peanuts?
Hi Caren, You can use another nut you like (cashews would be good). If you’re dealing with a nut allergy, I would just omit the peanuts.
Just made this for the holidays! I think I’ll rename it as Reindeer Crack! Soooo good!
Made this with my 8 and 6 year old daughter’s and they loved it! They are not huge peanut fans so we did 1 cup peanuts, 1 cup cashews and 1 cup almonds and it was fantastic!
How long does this last in Tupperware container?
Hi Nicole, If you store it in the refrigerator, it will stay for up to a month.
Please clarify the type of peanuts?. Dry roasted, salted etc…
Salted :)
I just made this again for Valentine’s Day using the Valetine’s m&m mix (red, pink and white) and called it “Cupid Chow”. I can also see making this again on July 4th with the red, white and blue m&m’s and calling it “Patriot’s Chow”. Great recipe! Everyone loves it!
I just made this, and it is so YUMMY! And festive…and easy to make! Great recipe. Thanks!
I’ve been making this for years. Raisins are a great addition as well!!
Hello :) Any suggestions for replacing the peanuts with something that is peanut/tree nut free? Thank you!
Hi Julie, Maybe some soy nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, any other crunchy snack that you like!
Do you have more receipts like this one, for variety? Any popcorn items you have…please..Sharon
Ah….this is called Christmas Crack in our home…and at my workplace…and at my roomate’s workplace…and pretty much anywhere where we deal it out at Christmas. Only diff is that we don’t use the shortening and we do add in 3 cups of corn chex. You know, we made 4 batches and I ever even tried it this year, it went so fast! :)
Since I lent our reindeer to Santa I guess the humans in the house will have to suffer through this!!
Made it, loved it, posted it! Merry Christmas, y’all…
This is pretty much the most addicting thing I’ve ever made. Ever. It’s amazing. Ok, I’m going to make more.
I made this toniggt sans peanuts with ghiradelli white choc and coconut oil instead of shortening. Very good.
I made something similar this week except used popcorn instead of cereal! So addicting!
I’m going to make this for my daughter’s preschool class for their last day before xmas break tomorrow – only problem is, I forgot to pick up veg shortening!! Is there a quick substitute that I can use in place of it?
Hi Glory, You can use coconut oil in place of the shortening.