If you are looking for a delightful treat to brighten up your holiday gatherings, you simply must try this Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe. It’s a fun, colorful medley that brings together a perfect balance of textures and flavors—crispy pretzels, crunchy cereal, gooey marshmallows, and bursts of sweet chocolate. This snack mix captures the joyful spirit of the season in every bite, making it a showstopper for your holiday parties or a cheerful gift to share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a vital role in building the perfect flavor, texture, and festive appearance. From the salty crunch of pretzels to the creamy sweetness of white chocolate and peanut butter, every element works together to create a snack that’s simply irresistible.
- 3 cups pretzel twists: The salty crunch here offers a perfect contrast to the sweeter ingredients, keeping every bite exciting.
- 3 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn): Adds light, crispy texture that soaks up the delicious coating without getting soggy.
- 2 cups mini marshmallows: These add a soft, chewy surprise and festive vibe to the mix.
- 1 cup mini M&M’s (or holiday M&M’s): Tiny bursts of chocolate and color that make this snack irresistibly cheerful.
- 1 cup white chocolate chips: Melts into a smooth, sweet coating that binds everything deliciously.
- 1/2 cup peanut butter: Adds creamy richness and a subtle nutty flavor, enhancing that sweet and savory balance.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sprinkled on top for an extra sweet finish and light dusting that looks like holiday magic.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor with a hint of warmth and complexity.
- Red and green sprinkles (optional): Perfect for adding a festive holiday touch that looks as joyful as it tastes.
How to Make Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and tossing together the pretzel twists, Chex cereal, mini marshmallows, and mini M&M’s. The mix of salty, sweet, crispy, and chewy bits right here creates the foundation of your snack mix. Give everything a gentle stir to evenly distribute all the components before adding the melted coating.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Next, melt the white chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 30-second bursts, stirring after each interval until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This luscious blend is what will bind your snack mix together while adding an indulgent sweetness.
Step 3: Add Vanilla Extract
Once your white chocolate and peanut butter mixture is perfectly melted, stir in the vanilla extract. This little addition enhances the flavor profile with a comforting hint of warmth that makes the whole mix taste even more special and festive.
Step 4: Coat the Snack Mix
Pour your melted mixture over the bowl of combined ingredients and gently toss everything to coat evenly. Be delicate here so you don’t crush the cereal or marshmallows, but make sure every bite gets that sweet, creamy coverage that makes this Elf Snack Mix so unforgettable.
Step 5: Spread and Cool
Lay out a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread the coated snack mix in a single layer. This allows it to cool and set without clumping too much. Let it sit at room temperature until fully cooled, which will help the coating firm up, giving it that satisfying crunch.
Step 6: Add the Final Touches
When the mix is completely cooled, sprinkle the powdered sugar over it and toss lightly to add a festive dusting of sweetness. If you want to bring an extra pop of holiday cheer, toss in red and green sprinkles for a look that’s as joyful as the taste.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Your Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe is now ready. Serve it up and watch as everyone reaches for seconds—this treat is a holiday favorite for good reason!
How to Serve Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe
Garnishes
To make your snack mix even more inviting, add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes or some edible glitter. These little touches elevate the festive appearance and add a refreshing minty surprise or sparkling excitement that’s perfect for the holidays.
Side Dishes
This Elf Snack Mix pairs beautifully with warm drinks like hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. Serve alongside to create a cozy snack table that encourages guests to sip and nibble throughout the party.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider packaging the mix in clear festive bags tied with seasonal ribbons or placing portions in mini holiday-themed cups for easy grab-and-go treats. You can also serve it in a large, decorative bowl topped with holiday greenery for a stunning party centerpiece everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Elf Snack Mix keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This lets you enjoy the sweet crunchiness without the mixture going stale or sticky, making it easy to prepare in advance.
Freezing
You can freeze the mix in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to a month. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving to restore the perfect texture and flavor.
Reheating
Because this snack mix is best enjoyed at room temperature, simply remove it from storage and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the coating and make the texture less enjoyable.
FAQs
Can I substitute the peanut butter for a nut-free option?
Absolutely! You can replace peanut butter with a nut-free alternative like sunflower seed butter to keep the snack mix safe for those with nut allergies without compromising the creamy texture.
Is it possible to make this snack mix gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free cereal like gluten-free Chex to keep the recipe allergy-friendly while still delicious.
Can I add other mix-ins to customize the Elf Snack Mix?
Of course! Feel free to toss in nuts, dried fruits, or even pretzel rods to add your personal twist, making it unique to your taste and party needs.
How long does this snack mix stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, this snack mix stays fresh and crunchy for up to one week, perfect for holiday parties or gifting over several days.
Can I prepare the mix in advance for a party?
Definitely! This recipe is ideal for making ahead of time. Just toss it together the day before your event and store it airtight to keep the texture and flavors intact.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe, you’ll want to keep it in your holiday repertoire forever. It’s such a joyful, addictive snack that brings people together with its lively colors and tasty balance of sweet and salty. Whether for gifts, gatherings, or just a special treat, you can’t go wrong with this festive mix. So go ahead—give it a try and share the holiday magic!
Print
Elf Snack Mix – Sweet, Crunchy, and Festive Holiday Party Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Elf Snack Mix is a sweet, crunchy, and colorful treat perfect for holiday gatherings or festive snacking. Combining pretzel twists, Chex cereal, mini marshmallows, and mini M&M’s, all coated with a smooth white chocolate and peanut butter mixture, this snack is fun, easy to make, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Snack Mix
- 3 cups pretzel twists
- 3 cups Chex cereal (rice or corn)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup mini M&M’s (or holiday M&M’s)
Coating
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and green sprinkles (optional for extra holiday cheer)
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine pretzel twists, Chex cereal, mini marshmallows, and mini M&M’s. Set this mixture aside to prepare the coating.
- Melt chocolate and peanut butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Add vanilla extract: Stir vanilla extract into the melted mixture thoroughly to enhance the flavor.
- Coat snack mix: Pour the melted white chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the dry snack mix. Gently toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Cool the mixture: Spread the coated snack mix evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow it to cool to set the coating.
- Add finishing touches: Once the mix has cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top and toss gently again. For a festive look, add red and green sprinkles if desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Let the snack mix cool completely before serving. Enjoy the sweet, crunchy, and festive treat!
Notes
- You can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a different nutty flavor.
- Use gluten-free pretzels and cereal if you need a gluten-free version.
- For extra crunch, add nuts like chopped almonds or pecans.
- Store the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Skip the sprinkles for a non-seasonal version or to avoid artificial colors.
