Peppermint Chex Mix is made with only 3 easy ingredients in just a few minutes! This Christmas Peppermint Chex Mix is simple recipe for a festive and sweet peppermint treat that is perfect for holiday parties or a cozy night at home.
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Peppermint Chex Mix is one of my favorite holiday Chex Mix recipes because it is so simple to make and it tastes SO good. It is seriously so addictive- just set the bowl out and watch how quickly it disappears! The white chocolate coats the cereal perfectly and adds a wonderful sweetness to the crunchy mix that everyone will seriously love.
Tips for Making this Holiday Chex Mix Recipe
You can use any flavor combination of candy cane that you prefer, you really cannot go wrong here. I personally enjoy using a mixture of the round peppermint candies (as shown in picture above), crushed candy canes and I have also tossed in a few handfuls of Peppermint Crunch from time to time. The Peppermint Crunch is a product found next to the chocolate chips in the baking aisle of your grocery store. It is a combination of peppermint candy and small candy cane bits which really help to add a nice pop of color to this easy Christmas chex mix recipe.
Can I use any Chex Mix Variety?
Yes, you absolutely can! While I personally enjoy using the non-flavored simple Rice Chex or the Corn Chex cereals in my versions of this Peppermint Chex Mix Crunch, you can use any flavor of Chex that you want. In fact, using a chocolate-flavored Chex could be an amazing way to kick this Holiday Chex Mix recipe up a notch! Feel free to experiment and see which flavor combination you prefer. This is not a “one size fits all” recipe and I encourage you to choose the ingredient flavors that are you favorite!
Is This Holiday Chex Mix Recipe Gluten-Free?
If you use a gluten-free box of Chex mix, it will be! Chex currently has several boxes of gluten-free cereal meaning that you have plenty of options to choose from! Just make sure that the box says “gluten-free” on it and double-check the ingredient labels on your other ingredient items to confirm that they are also GF products. In addition, many peppermint candies are typically also gluten free. This is a perfect holiday treat for all to enjoy!
Peppermint Chex Mix Ingredients
Rice Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal: For this recipe you need 6 cups of your choice of chex cereal.
White vanilla baking chips: You will need 1 package (12 oz) of white vanilla baking chips. Another option is 2 cups of vanilla bark.
Peppermint candy: Choose your peppermint option, 1/3 cup of coarsely crushed peppermint candy canes. You you can also use 14 miniature unwrapped circle peppermint candies. Peppermint Crunch is also a great option for this recipe as it is a lovely mixture of peppermint candies.
Step by step instructions on how to Make this Easy Peppermint Chex Mix
First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Then pour your chex cereal in a large bowl.
In a separate small bowl, microwave the white chocolate vanilla baking chips or vanilla bark uncovered on high about 1 minute 30 seconds. Let sit for 2 minutes in the microwave and then stir until smooth, adding additional time in 15-second increments if needed until smooth.
Next, pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until chex is well coated. Then sprinkle in half of the peppermint candy. Stir the mixture gently until it’s evenly coated.
Continue to spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Proceed to immediately sprinkle the remaining peppermint candy over the top of the mixture.
Leave on the counter until cooled and set, this should be about 20-30 minutes. Once cooled, gently break up the coated cereal into bite size pieces.
Serve in a large bowl or store it in an airtight container. Enjoy this delicious festive treat!
Easy Peppermint Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal
- 12 oz white vanilla baking chips/ vanilla bark (2 cups)
- ⅓ cup coarsely crushed peppermint candy canes or 14 miniature peppermint rounds, unwrapped
Instructions
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Then place cereal in large bowl.
- In a small bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips or vanilla bark uncovered on high about 1 minute 30 seconds. Let sit for 2 minutes in the microwave and then stir until smooth, adding additional time in 15 second increments, if needed.
- Pour melted chocolate over cereal, mix well until cereal is well coated. Sprinkle in half the peppermint candy. Stir mixture gently until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture in single layer on cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with remaining peppermint candy.
- Let cool for about 20-30 minutes. Gently break up coated cereal into small bite size pieces. Serve in large bowl or store in airtight container.
Notes
Do I Have to Use Chex Cereal?
No, You can use any cereal of your choice. I personally enjoy Chex cereal above the others because it gives a great flavor and crunch to this Christmas chex mix recipe. That being said, you can use any other similar cereal or even go completely different and select something like Cocoa Puffs! (Adding in a few mini marshmallows to a chocolate cereal variety can make you feel like you’re eating a hot chocolate crunch mix!)
Do I Have to use peppermint pieces or candy canes in this recipe?
There are other peppermint candies that you can use to keep the peppermint part of this recipe intact. Around the holidays M&M makes a peppermint M&M that are delicious. Another peppermint favorite is Andes Peppermint Crunch thins. If you do choose to use an alternate chocolate based candy, let the chocolate and cereal mixture cool for a few minutes in between adding the candy. If you add too soon the chocolate candies will melt and change the texture of the mixture.
How Long Does Peppermint Chex Mix Last?
Well, around my house it does not last long at all! But that’s not what you are asking. If you keep your Holiday Chex Mix in an airtight container it can last up to 4 days and still taste amazing. Anything after that and you may experience stale cereal which is still edible, just less enjoyable.
Like this Peppermint Chex Mix recipe? Here are other SUPER easy Christmas recipes:
Christine Walczykowski says
How did you crush your candy cane? With thicker canes I always have a hard time!
Ariane Smith says
I would try a hammer 🙂
KATHY N says
OSTER BLENDED ON CHOP DOES IT GREAT FROM ME.
Jessica Williams- UDD, Butter with a Side of Bread says
I broke it into a few large pieces and put it in a ziplock bag. Then I smashed it with a kitchen mattet and transfered it to a small food processor to get the pieces even finer.
WhatAmIDoing says
I'm jealous of people who say they can put their candy cane chunks in their food processor. Even after smashing up most of the chunks it feels like my Ninja is going to die trying to pulverize the small pieces. 🙁
KATHY N says
ANDES HAS BAKING CHIPS OF PEPPERMINT, USED THEM LAST YEAR. WORKS GREAT AND EASIER. CHECK WALMART.
Jessica Williams- UDD, Butter with a Side of Bread says
If it makes you feel any better- I almost kill mine every time! Then again, I just have one of those $10 junk ones that JUST WON'T DIE! 😉
tookchee says
This will be a great treat for Christmas and most importantly, very easy to make. Thanks for the great idea, can't wait to try this.
neetneet says
How long will this keep in a ziplock container?
Jessica Williams- UDD, Butter with a Side of Bread says
NeetNeet- I would imagine it'd keep just fine for 7-10 days or so. Even a double batch doesn't last over a week in our house though… 😉
neetneet says
Getting ready to make a batch for our Christmas gathering. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for your reply
B&K Mommy says
My sister's name is Jessica Williams – seeing your name threw me off for a second! Anyway, this sounds great! I might try it with regular chocolate chips, though, since I'm not a huge fan of white chocolate. Thanks for sharing!
Diane @ The Checkered Apple says
Popping by via Pinterest. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I can't wait to try this. Wait, I can't wait to EAT this!
Diane @ The Checkered Apple says
Just finished making this and it's absolutely yummy! Thanks again for sharing the recipe!
Jessica Williams- UDD, Butter with a Side of Bread says
@Diane- I'm So glad you enjoyed it! So simple too, isn't it? 🙂
Diane says
I make it every year for the holidays. Tried and true, easy recipe for those who love peppermint treats!
Vickie says
What a great treat! Thanks so much!
Suzanne Burkhalter says
Unbelievably easy! I made 2 batches in no time. OMG and so good. As for the crushing the candy canes, I used the soft kind and they worked fine. Much easier to crush than the hard candy canes or candies.
Ursula Bryan says
So how much almond bark did u use in place of the white chips?
icecreamtomarathon says
I made 2 batches of this. One with white chocolate chips, the other with regular chocolate chips. Both are to die for! However, next time I think I will add at least 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint, instead of 1/3, to make it a little more minty.
Dutchmutt O'Sheetsengruben Jr. says
I tried this two times. The first was an epic fail, the second I made 2 tweaks and it was awesome. The first time the chips went from semi melt to burnt in about 10 seconds. The second time I did the white chocolate melts in a large saucepan on the stove. It took about 30 secs on medium heat for them to melt, i removed it from the heat and stirred in the mint and cereal, then I laid it out on the
Heather says
Just found your blog & am excited to keep looking around! I've made this for awhile but I use the Chocolate Chex cereal instead of the Rice.
Chanel Lufkin says
I made some and left it at church for the Middle School Christmas party on Wednesday. How long will it stay good?
MasterCakes says
I’m so obsessed with puppy chow. I make it at least once during the holidays, it’s so addicting!! MasterCakes