Festive Christmas Crunch Mix

Featured in Desserts That Transform Moments.

A simple snack featuring popcorn, M&Ms, pretzels, and white chocolate. Perfect for sharing or gifting this holiday season.

Sarah
Updated on Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:17:50 GMT
A tray packed with popcorn, pretzels, and colorful holiday M&Ms. Pin it
A tray packed with popcorn, pretzels, and colorful holiday M&Ms. | chefmiarecipes.com

My kitchen's got a new holiday favorite. This festive mix brings together everything we crave during Christmas time - it's sweet, salty, and totally holiday-worthy. I whipped it up one night during family movie time and now we can't celebrate without it. There's something magical about those bright candies twinkling against popcorn covered in white chocolate that gets everyone grinning.

Festive Holiday Delight

Each mouthful delivers the perfect taste combo. My little ones grab their favorite candy pieces while I secretly hunt for all the salty pretzels. I've started bringing it to school parties, dropping it off to neighbors, and making it for our Christmas movie marathons. And guess what? It's ready in minutes but looks super impressive.

What You'll Need

  • Popped Corn: Enough from two bags, this fluffy stuff creates the perfect foundation.
  • Salted Butter: Makes everything taste amazing.
  • Tiny Marshmallows: They'll turn into our wonderful coating.
  • White Chocolate: Don't go cheap here, get the good melting kind.
  • Christmas-colored M&Ms: Get both plain and peanut varieties.
  • Crunchy Pretzels: They add that wonderful salty bite.
  • Festive Sprinkles: Green and red ones make everything look Christmas-y.
A tray lined with parchment paper is covered with scattered, fluffy popcorn kernels. Pin it
A tray lined with parchment paper is covered with scattered, fluffy popcorn kernels. | chefmiarecipes.com

Creating Your Masterpiece

Start With Popcorn
Make your popcorn and spread it out flat like you're about to create something wonderful.
Mix The Gooey Stuff
Melt butter, marshmallows and white chocolate together until they're smooth and dreamy.
Cover Everything
Pour that warm mixture all over your popcorn, making sure every piece gets some love.
Add The Fun Stuff
While it's still sticky, throw on all your candies, pretzels and those pretty sprinkles.
Let It Set
Try to wait until it cools before eating. This makes it easier to share with others.

Personal Touches

I throw in chocolate chips or my favorite nuts sometimes. Adding smashed candy canes gives it a nice minty flavor. Feel free to play around with whatever mix-ins make you happy.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

This snack always gets attention at holiday parties. Put some in cute bags with ribbons for easy gifts for neighbors. Create a little snack spot with this mixture and some hot chocolate for an awesome movie night. You'll see everyone smile when you bring in a huge bowl of this colorful treat.

Storage Tips

Keep your mix in containers that seal tight and away from warmth since the candy can melt. It stays crunchy for about a week, though at my house it's usually gone way before that. Don't try freezing it, it's best when it's fresh.

Helpful Hints

  • Keep It Fresh: Sealed containers work best, store somewhere cool for maximum crunch.
  • Popcorn Tips: Air popped works great, just don't add butter beforehand.
  • Switch It Up: Any candies, chips or nuts you enjoy will work perfectly here.

Christmas Wonder

This festive mix isn't just a snack, it's a handful of Christmas happiness. The bright colors, amazing flavors, and how it makes everyone smile when they try it, that's what Christmas treats should do. Easy, festive, and totally addictive, just like the holiday season.

A tray of popcorn mixed with pretzels and red and green M&M's. Pin it
A tray of popcorn mixed with pretzels and red and green M&M's. | chefmiarecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long will this stay good?

Keep it in a sealed container at room temperature, and it'll last up to a week.

→ Can I swap out the candies?

Go for it! Use any festive candies like chocolate chips or candy corn.

→ Why’s my popcorn soggy?

Don’t pour the butter mix while it’s too hot. Let it cool and spread it out to dry well.

→ Is it okay to prep ahead of time?

Sure! Make it up to 5 days in advance. Store airtight at room temperature.

→ How can I make gift packages?

Put it in mason jars or gift bags. Add ribbons or cute tags for a festive touch.

Conclusion

This cheerful snack combines sweet and salty tastes, making it ideal for Christmas celebrations or as a thoughtful present.

Christmas Crunch Mix

A fun mix of popcorn, candy, pretzels, and marshmallows with a drizzle of white chocolate.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes

Category: Sweet Comfort

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (Makes 1 big tray)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 10 cups of popcorn, already popped (about 2 bags).
02 6 tablespoons of butter, salted.
03 3 cups of tiny marshmallows.
04 3/4 cup of white chocolate wafers.
05 1 cup of mini M&Ms in red and green.
06 1 cup of peanut M&Ms in red and green.
07 1/2 cup of festive sprinkles.
08 1 cup of crushed pretzels.

Instructions

Step 01

Lay parchment paper on an 11x17 baking pan. Pop your popcorn and spread it out on the pan.

Step 02

Heat up butter, marshmallows, and white chocolate together until you get a smooth mix.

Step 03

Drizzle most (about three-fourths) of the melted coating over the popcorn and mix it up gently.

Step 04

Pour the last of the coating over and toss on M&Ms, pretzels, and sprinkles.

Step 05

Wait until it fully cools, then break it into pieces.

Notes

  1. You can double the quantity without issue.
  2. Stays fresh if stored in a sealed container.

Tools You'll Need

  • A baking pan, about 11x17 in size.
  • A saucepan, medium-sized.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains peanuts.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 212
  • Total Fat: 11 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
  • Protein: 2 g