5 Minute Christmas Crack (Christmas Chex Mix Recipe)
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If there's one holiday snack mix that disappears faster than Santa up a chimney, it's this 5 Minute Christmas Crack Chex Mix. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and festively colorful, it's the perfect treat for parties, gifting, or curling up with a Christmas movie. Around here, we call it "Christmas Crack" because it's so deliciously irresistible - but it's also known as Christmas Chex Mix or a simple holiday snack mix.
This recipe is for the Chex Mix style of Christmas Crack. If you're looking for the cracker-toffee version, you'll love our easy Chocolate Toffee Christmas Crack!
Recipe Overview
- Time: Just 5 minutes of prep, plus cooling.
- Why you'll love it: Quick, festive, and made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for: Gifting in tins or jars, snacking with friends, or serving on a holiday dessert table.
What I Love About This Recipe
I love that this recipe is fast and foolproof. It uses only a handful of ingredients, and the salty-sweet flavors mean it's always the first bowl emptied at a holiday party. Plus, it's endlessly customizable, so you can make it exactly the way your family loves.
And festive? Chock full of Christmas green, red, and white. Perfect for gifts, unexpected guests, or simply enjoying while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
Love quick-fix holiday snacks? Try these Christmas Muddy Buddies too!
Jump to:
Ingredients
Specific measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a list of what you’ll need:
- Chex Cereal: The crunchy, golden base that holds all the goodness together. I use rice and wheat Chex in this recipe.
- Pretzels: A salty counterbalance to the sweetness.
- M&M's or Holiday Candies: Adds festive color and extra chocolate.
- Mini Marshmallows: Soft and chewy pockets of sweetness that make the mix even more irresistible.
- White Chocolate: The "glue" that coats the mix and brings everything together.
- Sprinkles (optional): Holiday cheer in every handful.
How to Make Christmas Chex Mix
- Combine the base: Mix Chex cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, and candies in a large bowl.
- Melt the coating: Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the white chocolate until smooth.
- Pour and stir: Drizzle melted chocolate over the mix and gently fold to coat.
- Spread & cool: Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and top with sprinkles if desired.
- Break apart & enjoy: Once set, break into clusters and store in an airtight container.
Variations
- Flavor Twist: Add crushed candy canes, drizzle with dark chocolate, or toss with cinnamon sugar.
- Allergy-Friendly: Use gluten-free Chex or nut-free candies.
Storage & Gifting
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if it lasts that long) or freeze in an airtight container for up to two months.
For gifting, portion into cellophane bags, jars, or holiday tins - a thoughtful and festive treat for neighbors, teachers, or co-workers. If you love food gifting ideas, see these homemade food gifts in a jar or this simple 3 ingredient hot cocoa mix!
Recipe FAQs
Rice or Corn Chex are the most common, but Wheat Chex, Cheerios, or even Crispix work beautifully.
Yes! This snack mix keeps well for up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container, so you can easily prep it before a party or gift exchange.
Chex Mix tastes best at its freshest, within 2-3 days of making. But, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or in the freezer, in a freezer-safe container or bag, for up to 2 months!
You can absolutely make this mix gluten-free by avoiding wheat Chex and adding GF pretzels!
🎄 More Holiday Treats
If you're making Christmas Crack, you might also enjoy these festive holiday sweets:
- Christmas Dessert Trifle: Layered, make-ahead desserts that look stunning on any holiday table.
- Christmas Candy Recipes: These classic candy recipes are make ahead friendly and perfect for gifting throughout the holidays.
- Festive Christmas Cookies: A collection of simple, festive cookie recipes perfect for holiday trays and exchanges.
- Easy Christmas Recipes: For more holiday recipe inspiration, visit my collection of recipe ideas from Christmas dinner ideas to easy desserts, sides, and more.
Easy Christmas Dessert Ideas
- Holiday Cookies from Around the World
- Vintage Christmas Cookies
- Decking the Halls with Orange Pomanders
- Easy Coconut Macaroons
- 2024 Christmas Cookie Box
- Snowflake Shortbread Cookies
- Peppermint Meringue Cookies
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5 Minute Christmas Crack Chex Mix Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- 4 cups Wheat Chex
- 1 cup Pretzel Sticks
- 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
- 2-3 cups M&M’s
- 24 oz White Chocolate for melting
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, and M&Ms. Mix them up a bit to evenly distribute.
- Meanwhile, over a double boiler, bain-marie, or in the microwave, melt the white chocolate according to package instructions.
- Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, drizzle it over the cereal mix and combine it with a spoon or even your hands. Be sure the cereal mixture is evenly coated with chocolate. Melt a little more white chocolate if needed!
- Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment or wax paper. Let dry for an hour or so, until the chocolate is cool and hardened. Break it into easy pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
- Cereal: Rice or Corn Chex works best, but Cheerios or Crispix are also great options. Mini marshmallows add extra sweetness and chew, but can be left out if you prefer a crunchier mix.
- Storage: Store Christmas Crack Chex Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for gifting and can be made several days in advance. Be sure to let the mix cool completely before packaging so it stays crisp.
- Variations: Swap white chocolate for dark or milk chocolate for a different flavor, add crushed candy canes, cinnamon sugar, or holiday sprinkles for extra festive flair or use gluten-free Chex or nut-free candies to make it allergy-friendly.
- Serving & Gifting: Portion into mason jars, holiday tins, or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for an easy homemade Christmas gift. It's also great served in a large bowl on a holiday snack table.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Instead of wheat chex I used cinnamon toast crunch smores cereal a!omg with rice chex. I also used mini pretzel twists divided and added one.cup of salted cocktail peanuts. I separated in two bowls and also increased the white chips to 30 oz three bags and divided them to one and one half per bowls carefully mixed it and let it set… Yummy…Linda from Brea ca.
That sounds amazing! The Cinnamon Toast Crunch is brilliant. I’m so glad you enjoyed it— thank you for sharing your adaptations!
Does the Christmas Crack need to be refrigerated? I would like to mail this to family members and it will take a couple days to get there.
Hi Betsy! The Christmas Crack does not have to be refrigerated — and should ship very well. Be sure to pack it in an airtight container or bag.
Do you have measurements for the Chex cereal and the pretzels
Yes! The ingredient measurements are in a recipe card at the very bottom of the post. I used 4 cups of Rice Chex and 4 cups of Wheat Chex (use your favorite blend). Then you will need about 1 cup of pretzels. I used the sticks.
I’m like Ellie Do you put the marshmallows mix before you pour the chocolate or after you pour the chocolate over the mixture
Hi Tonya — stir the marshmallows in with the cereal, pretzels, and M&Ms. I’ve updated the instructions — thanks so much for your question!
When do the marshmallows get put in to this crack
Hi Ellie! Add the marshmallows with the Chex Cereal. Enjoy 😍
Takes longer than 5 minutes, more like 15. Wii use different chocolate next time. Did not melt as expected. Or may try some other to pour over. Still, end result is addictive!
Thank you, Barbara. I keep munching on it today too 😍