There’s something magically festive about mixing sweet, crunchy, and colorful treats all in one bowl — and that’s exactly what you get with the Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe. It’s the perfect snack to share during holiday gatherings or to leave out for Santa’s crew with a playful twist.

A white bowl is filled with a mix of small square and round cereal pieces coated in a light dusting of powdered sugar, creating a powdery brown and white textured layer. Mixed in are shiny red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly throughout, adding bright pops of color. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some loose candies and miniature peanut butter cup pieces nearby, enhancing the festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve been making variations of this Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe for years, and honestly, it’s a hit every single time I bring it out. What’s great is the balance of sweet and salty with a hint of peanut butter, and the festive red and green M&M’s just bring that extra holiday cheer.

So easy and quick: You can whip up this snack in under 20 minutes – perfect for last-minute party prep or a quick festive treat.
Kid-friendly and fun: It’s always a crowd-pleaser with little ones who love the colors and the sweet, chocolatey flavors.
Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients based on allergies or preferences – peanut butter or almond butter, dark or milk chocolate, it’s all flexible.
Perfect for gifting: Pack it up in a cute jar or festive bag, and you’ve got a homemade gift that always impresses.

A large white bowl filled to the top with a crunchy snack mix that has three layers: the bottom layer is made of small square and round pieces covered in a light dusting of white powdered sugar, the middle layer has small shiny red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly, and the top layer shows more powdered square and round pieces mixed with the same red and green candies. A silver spoon is resting inside the bowl on the left side. Around the bowl, there are some red and green candies scattered on a white marbled surface. In the background on the top right, there is a soft cream-colored cloth, and to the left is a tall glass of milk with some white and green patterns partially visible. A small glass jar with a few pieces of the snack is at the bottom left, and a small white bowl with red and green candies and small round chocolates is at the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe plays an essential role in creating that addictive mix of texture and flavor. Here’s a quick look at why each one makes this recipe shine.

Flat lay of a large simple white ceramic bowl filled with golden corn Chex cereal, a small white bowl of smooth creamy peanut butter, a small white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl with three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of pale yellow butter cubes, a small white bowl of fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl with mini peanut butter cups scattered inside, and a small white bowl filled with red and green M&M’s — all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Corn or rice Chex cereal: Crisp, light, and perfect for coating with chocolate, it holds up well without getting soggy.
Butter: Adds richness and helps melt everything smoothly, giving a silky coating to the cereal.
Creamy peanut butter: Offers that classic nutty flavor and helps bind the mix without overpowering.
Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips: Sweet base that melts perfectly to coat the Chex.
Vanilla extract: A small but impactful addition that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Powdered sugar: The secret to transforming the sticky chocolaty mixture into that irresistible “puppy chow” texture.
Mini peanut butter cups: Chunky surprise bites of peanut butter and chocolate that elevate every mouthful.
Red and green M&M’s: Festive pops of color that also add crunch and sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I return to this Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what I have on hand or who I’m making it for. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: I sometimes swap peanut butter with almond butter for friends with allergies—and it works great without losing any flavor or texture.
Gluten-Free Option: Using rice Chex keeps it naturally gluten-free, making it great for gluten-sensitive guests.
Double chocolate: Add a handful of white chocolate chips with the semisweet for a fun twist and more complexity.
Spicy Sweet: A dash of cinnamon or even cayenne to the melted chocolate adds unexpected warmth—perfect for the adventurous palate.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe

Step 1: Melt the magic

I start by gently melting butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips together over low heat. Stirring constantly is key here—it keeps the mixture smooth without burning. Trust me, rushing this part can lead to grainy chocolate, which nobody wants. Once silky and combined, I pull it off the heat and stir in vanilla to bring that cozy warmth to the flavor.

Step 2: Coat your cereal

Next, pour the luscious chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in a big bowl. I like to use a sturdy spatula to fold everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure every piece gets that glossy chocolate wrap. It’s a little messy but incredibly satisfying.

Step 3: Powder it up

Once coated, sprinkle on the powdered sugar, then stir and toss until the cereal is fully covered and no longer sticky. This step transforms the mixture into that classic “puppy chow” texture. It’s what makes the Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe so addictive—I always have to remind myself to stop snacking at this point!

Step 4: Mix in the festive fun

Finally, fold in the mini peanut butter cups and red & green M&M’s. I add these last to keep the colors vibrant and the treats intact. This step adds the fun pops of texture and bursts of flavor that make this recipe really stand out at holiday parties.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that really help this recipe come together perfectly every time, so here’s what I recommend:

Low and slow melting: Melting chocolate and peanut butter slowly on low heat prevents seizing or burning, which can ruin the texture.
Stir, don’t shake: When mixing powdered sugar in, stirring gently helps keep the coating even without breaking up the cereal too much.
Use a large bowl: You’ll want plenty of space to toss everything without spilling or crushing the treats.
Cool before adding candies: Let the chocolate coating cool slightly so your candies hold their shape and color better.

How to Serve Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe

Reindeer Food Cheeseball - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a few extra mini peanut butter cups or festive sprinkles on top when serving, making the bowl look even more inviting. The colorful M&M’s already add so much fun, but a touch of edible glitter or crushed candy canes takes it up another notch for parties.

Side Dishes

This Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe pairs beautifully with salty snacks like cheese and crackers or pretzels to balance the sweetness. On a holiday spread, I often serve it alongside warm mulled cider or hot chocolate for a cozy combo everyone enjoys.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to serve this in clear glass bowls so the colors pop, and sometimes I portion it out in festive cellophane bags tied with ribbon to give as little gifts to guests. Another fun idea I've tried is hollowing out a chocolate Santa or reindeer figure and filling it with the mix – it’s always a showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftover Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays crisp and fresh for up to a week, which is perfect because it rarely lasts that long around here! If you notice the candies getting sticky, just give the mix a gentle toss before serving again.

Freezing

Freezing works well too—just pack it tightly into a freezer-safe container or bag and keep it frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. The texture holds up surprisingly well, which is a nice way to prep treats ahead of time.

Reheating

Since this is a cold snack, reheating isn’t necessary. But if you want to freshen it up after storage, just let it sit out a bit to lose any chill—it’s ready to munch. Avoid microwaving or warming because the chocolate coating might melt and make it sticky rather than crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or a nut-free spread, and skip the mini peanut butter cups. The recipe still tastes great and stays festive.

How long does Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh for up to one week. Beyond that, the cereal may lose its crunch and candies can get sticky.

Can I use different types of cereal?

Corn and rice Chex work best due to their light, crispy texture that holds the coating well. Using puffed rice or other cereals may result in soggy or less crunchy textures, but you can experiment to your preference.

Is it okay to double the recipe?

Definitely! This recipe scales up easily. Just use a larger bowl for mixing, and consider melting the chocolate mixture in batches for smoother results. Perfect for bigger parties or gift-giving!

Final Thoughts

This Reindeer Food Cheeseball Recipe really brings joy to my holiday table—it’s easy, festive, and so tasty that it disappears fast. I love how it invites a bit of playful magic with every bite, reminding me of fun childhood traditions. I think you’ll find it just as delightful and easy to make as me, so grab your ingredients and give it a try—this might just become your new favorite holiday treat!