Santa’s Christmas Snack Mix

This colorful Santa’s Christmas Snack Mix comes together quickly and adds instant holiday magic to any celebration. Each festive handful is packed with “snowball” cereal, crunchy, sweet, and festive flavors and the cutest homemade Santa Hats tucked in for a whimsical surprise. It’s perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve!

Looking for more Christmas treats? Here are some of our favorites: Snow Day Snack Mix, Grinch Cookies and this delicious Hot Cocoa Fudge!

Christmas Snack Mix

The holidays call for fun, festive treats that bring a little extra magic to the season, and this Santa’s Christmas Snack Mix checks all the boxes. It’s a colorful combination of crunchy, sweet and festive flavors with the cutest homemade Santa Hats tucked in for a whimsical surprise. It’s loaded with your favorite snacks: cereal, pretzels, peanuts, marshmallows and M&M’s. Whether you’re putting together treat bags, hosting a Christmas movie night, or need a quick treat for school or work, this easy snack mix delivers instant cheer.

One of the best parts of this recipe is how simple it is – no baking, no fuss and it’s totally customizable. Kids love helping make the Santa Hats, and the “snowball” cereal coated in powdered sugar is always a hit. This mix also makes a fantastic handmade holiday gift, perfect for neighbors, teachers, or last-minute gifting emergencies. Quick to throw together and easy to customize, this mix is one recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again throughout the Christmas season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This festive snack mix delivers maximum holiday fun with minimal effort. It’s easy to make, easy to share and packed with festive color and crunch. There’s lots to love about this crunch, sweet, Christmas snack mix:

• No-Bake: Comes together in minutes and requires zero cooking. Your oven is going to LOVE getting a break.
• Gift Ready: Package it in holiday bags, jars, or tins for a sweet homemade gift for friends and neighbors.
• Kid-Friendly: Little helpers will have a blast making the Santa Hats and tossing everything together.
• Super Customizable: Swap ingredients to suit allergies, preferences, or what you have on hand. Add in your favorite candy, use your favorite cereal – whatever works for you and your family.

What You’ll Need For This Snack Mix

Whip up a big batch of Santa’s Snack Mix for the sweetest holiday tradition! Loaded with red-and-green goodies, crunchy cereal, marshmallows and festive Santa Hats, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

• Kix Cereal: Light, airy, and perfect for coating in powdered sugar to create “snowball” pieces that brighten the whole mix.
• Chex Cereal: Adds structure and crunch – a classic base choice for snack mixes.
• Mini Pretzels: Bring a salty contrast that balances the sweetness. Go with twists or sticks – your choice.
• Peanuts: Add protein, crunch, and a savory note (can be swapped for another nut or omitted if needed). Pistachios would be a fun option to add in even more green.
• White Pretzels: Frosted pretzels of dipped pretzels or even peppermint pretzel crisps are great options here. Sweet, salty and decorative – they help tie in the holiday theme.
• Mini Marshmallows: Soft, chewy bites that add texture variety and sweetness.
• Christmas M&M’s: Provide color and chocolatey richness.
• Santa Hats: The star of the show! Bugles dipped in red candy melts with a white “pom-pom” add adorable holiday flair.
• Powdered Sugar: Turns the Kix into “snowballs,” giving the mix a frosty winter look.

How To Make Santa’s Christmas Snack Mix

Make your holiday snacking extra merry with this easy Santa’s Snack Mix! The homemade candy Santa Hats steal the show and make the whole bowl look straight out of the North Pole. It’s the perfect festive treat for movie nights, class parties, and Christmas gatherings. It’s loaded with cereal, pretzels, marshmallows, M&M’s, and the cutest little Santa Hats that steal the show.

Let’s take a quick look at how to make this holiday snack mix and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Santa Hats

1. Dip Bugles into melted red candy melts (or white chocolate dyed red with gel food coloring).
2. Dip other end in melted white candy melts.
3. Sprinkle top with red sanding sugar.
4. Place on parchment paper until set.
5. Add a tiny marshmallows for the “pom-pom” or use the melted candy melts.
6. Dry completely before mixing into the snack mix.

Assembly

1. Combine Kix cereal and powdered sugar. Toss gently to coat.
2. Add in Chex cereal, mini pretzels, peanuts, white pretzels and marshmallows.
3. Stir in the Christmas M&M’s and Santa Hats.
4. Transfer to an airtight container or portion into holiday bags/containers for gifting.

Storage Information

Room Temperature: Keep the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, skip the marshmallows and add them just before serving so they stay soft.

Make Ahead: This mix is great to make ahead and is good for up to 1 week. I recommend adding the marshmallows just before serving for maximum freshness. The Santa hats can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container until you’re ready to mix everything together.

Variations To Try

There are so many ways to customize this mix to fit your celebration:

• Use Honeycomb, Golden Grahams, or Corn Pops for a fun twist.
• Add yogurt-covered raisins, toffee bits, chocolate-covered pretzels or other Christmas candies.
• A handful of red and green sprinkles adds instant charm.
• Leave out the peanuts or replace with seeds for allergy-friendly gifting.

What if I can’t find Kix cereal?

You can swap with Cheerios or another round cereal with a similar crunch.

Do I have to use peanuts?

Nope! You can leave them out or substitute with another nut (like cashews, almonds, or pecans). For a nut-free version, try sunflower seeds or just add extra pretzels or cereal.

Can I use different M&M’s?

Of course! Swap in peanut, peanut butter, or caramel M&M’s for a fun twist. Just keep them festive with red and green colors if you want the Christmas look.

Can I make this mix ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare it 2–3 days in advance. Just store in an airtight container and add marshmallows the day you serve for maximum freshness.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! It scales well. Just be sure to mix everything in a very large bowl or even a clean roasting pan.

How do I keep the Santa Hats from breaking?

Make sure they’re completely set before mixing them in. Gently fold them into the mix at the very end.

Trish’s Tips

• Make the Santa Hats ahead: These can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container until you’re ready to mix everything together.
• Use Large Bowls: This recipe makes a big batch, so a roomy mixing bowl helps prevent breakage.
• Don’t skip the powdered sugar: It helps balance the salty crunch and gives the mix that “snowy” holiday look.
• Break up the pretzels: If your white chocolate pretzels are large, gently break them into smaller pieces for easier eating.
• Kid-friendly tip: Let kids help toss the mix together or decorate Santa Hats—it makes the recipe even more fun and festive!
• Gift-ready: Portion into cellophane bags, small mason jars, or holiday tins for easy gifting. Add a ribbon and tag for a quick homemade holiday treat.
• Perfect for Parties: Set out small scoops or cups to make serving easier and more fun.

More Festive Christmas Favorites

1. Christmas Crack
2. Whipped Shortbread Cookies
3. Christmas Puppy Chow
4. Grinch Cookies
5. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars