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This Grinch Snack Mix is a quick holiday favorite with green puppy chow, candy, and candy heart-topped pretzels for the perfect sweet and salty crunch.
Easy Grinch Puppy Chow Mix
I love how colorful, crunchy, and playful this Grinch Snack Mix is. It’s a festive holiday treat that feels equal parts cheerful and a little mischievous, which is exactly what a Grinch-inspired recipe should be. This mix has the crunchy sweetness of puppy chow, the charm of tiny heart-topped pretzels, and a pop of green candy that makes it look like it walked right off the pages of Whoville. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients and is the perfect party snack, great for movie nights, for packaging for neighbors, or classroom celebrations.
Recipe Ingredients
Here are all the recipe ingredients, along with tips and substitutions.
- Green candy: Adds extra color and texture to the finished snack mix. Use green M&M candies, green jelly beans, or green Sixlets.
- 6 cups rice or corn Chex cereal: Gives the mix its light, crispy base and holds the green coating beautifully. Use wheat Chex, Crispix cereal, or even lightly salted popcorn.
- ⅔ cup green candy melts: Creates the signature Grinch green color and coats the cereal smoothly. Use white chocolate with green gel coloring.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the coating set with a soft finish. Use coconut-powdered sugar, or reduce the amount for a less sweet coating.
- Square pretzels: Adds salty crunch and forms the base for the heart-topped pretzel bites. Use mini twists or gluten-free pretzels.
- Candy melts: Used for Grinch heart pretzels. They soften nicely in the oven, so the heart sprinkle presses in easily. Use a lighter green, white, or dairy-free chocolate, melting wafers, or dairy-free chocolate discs.
- Heart sprinkles: Creates the classic Grinch look and adds a pop of red. Use red mini M&M candies or red chocolate pearls.
How To Make Grinch Snack Mix
Melt the candy melts and coat the cereal, then shake with powdered sugar until fully coated. Finish with simple baked pretzels topped with candy melts and heart sprinkles, then combine everything with green candies.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Add the cereal to a large mixing bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the green candy melts for one minute. Stir well, then heat again in short intervals until almost melted. Stir until completely smooth.
- Pour the melted candy over the cereal. Toss gently until it is evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal into a resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is fully coated in sugar. Set aside to cool.
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange the square pretzels in a single layer.
- Place one candy melt on top of each pretzel.
- Bake in a preheated 200°F oven for 4-5 minutes, until the candy melts look shiny but have not fully melted. Remove from the oven and immediately press one heart sprinkle in the center of each piece. Cool for 15 minutes.
- Add the cooled puppy chow to a large baking sheet or bowl. Add the Grinch pretzels and green candy. Stir gently to combine, and then serve or store in an airtight container.
Top Recipe Tips:
- Shake the cereal in two batches if your bag is small to keep everything coated evenly.
- Do not overbake the pretzels. If the candy melts liquify completely they will drip through the pretzels.
- Let everything cool fully before mixing to prevent clumping.
Grinch Chex Mix
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Microwave safe-bowl
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Spatula or spoon
- Resealable plastic bag
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- ⅔ cup from 12 oz bag green candy melts
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Grinch Pretzels
- 2 cups Square pretzels
- ⅔ cup Candy melts, light or dark green
- ½ cup Heart sprinkles
For Decorating
- ½ cup Green M&M candies, or other gren candies
Instructions
Add cereal to a large mixing bowl.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt green candy melts for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating in 10–20 second intervals until almost melted. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the melted candy over the cereal and toss until fully coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to a resealable bag, add the powdered sugar, seal, and shake until evenly coated. Set aside to cool.
Make the Grinch Pretzels
- Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange square pretzels in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Top each pretzel with one candy melt.
- Bake for 4–5 minutes, just until the candy melts become shiny (but not fully melted).
- Remove from the oven and immediately press one heart sprinkle onto the center of each candy melt.
- Let cool for at least 15 minutes before adding to the snack mix.
Assemble the Snack Mix
- Add the prepared Grinch puppy chow to a large baking sheet or bowl.
- Add the cooled Grinch pretzels and green candy.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
Storage
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Make ahead: Both puppy chow and pretzels can be made the day before and combined just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQs
Microwave in 10-20 increments, stirring in between each melting time, to avoid burning or overheating.
Of course. Store it in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to five days.
Add the cereal and powdered sugar to the bag in small batches, stirring to ensure all the cereal is evenly coated.
Make sure the green candy coating is thoroughly cooled before mixing with the powdered sugar so it sets properly.
Yes, make sure you assemble it in an extra-large bowl or on a baking sheet so the mix stays light and crisp.
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