We’ve all given up the pretense that we’re wearing, like, actual pants at this point in 2020, right? How will we ever go back to – gasp – buttons? ZIPPERS? It’s practically unthinkable! In the meantime, me and my tie front joggers are enjoying our freedom and eating copious amounts of Christmas Crunch Treat Mix!
Say hello to the most addicting little treat to come out of my kitchen in ages. Christmas Crunch is crispy, crunchy, salty, and perfectly sweet. Ben said I’m no longer allowed to make it. Translation: it does not get much better than this!
I’ll never forget a moment from the first holiday season we spent at our last house. The children of one of our neighbors ran over with a big tin of holiday snack mix and while I don’t remember exactly what was in the mix, I DO remember their contagious excitment in delivering homemade goodies to their neighbors. So welcoming, SO sweet. I’ll never forget that warm and fuzzy feeling.
That said, those sweet kids are who I thought of while making this Christmas Crunch Treat Mix. I can’t wait to package it up and spread some holiday cheer to our new neighbors. This is a fabulous treat to share!
So what is it? Well, PUFFCORN, mmkay. If you’ve never had puffcorn, prepare to have your mind blown. It’s like buttery tasting, cheese-less cheetos puffs, and is honest to goodness one of the tastiest little snacks. The puffcorn is paired with gluten free pretzels, peanuts, melted white chocolate, holiday M&M’s, and more sprinkles than you can shake a stick to create this crunchy Christmas snack mix with the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
SO festive.
SO fun.
SO DANG DELICIOUS. I had to ship the first batch off to my in-laws’ house to get it out of my house. Literally hid the second batch from myself in the pantry (where Ben found it,) and the third batch is going straight to our neighbors and more family members. Oh my goodness, so yummy and takes like, 10 minutes to make.
Let’s do this!
How to Make Christmas Crunch Snack Mix
Start with a bag of puffcorn. At the time of this writing, 12/20, this brand is gluten free (and amazing!)
Measure out 8 cups puffcorn then add to an extremely large bowl with gluten free pretzels and peanuts. If you don’t have an XL bowl then divy the ingredients into two large bowls.
Next melt white chocolate chips with a thwack of coconut oil until smooth and melted. If you have a coconut allergy, or don’t have it in the house, vegetable oil is a great swap.
Pour the melted chocolate over the puffcorn mixture then use a spatula to fold until everything is evenly coated. Now comes the fun part! Spread the mixture onto parchment or wax paper, or a couple of silpats, then sprinkle on holiday M&Ms and sprinkles. This is the super fun, mad scientist part – add as little or as much as your heart desires!
Let the chocolate set then dig in! Like I said, Christmas Crunch is a great treat to deliver to friends and family. Scoop into treat bags or tins then share the holiday magic. I hope you love eating this spectacular Christmas treat as much as you like making it! Enjoy!
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Christmas Crunch Treat Mix
Description
Christmas Crunch Treat Mix is irresistibly crunchy, sweet, and salty! This gluten free treat takes minutes to prepare, and even less time to devour.
Ingredients
- 8 cups gluten free puffcorn (I use Old Dutch brand)
- 2 cups gluten free pretzels
- 1-1/2 cups peanuts
- 12oz bag gluten free white chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 11oz bag Holiday M&Ms
- gluten free holiday sprinkles
Directions
- Spread a couple sheets of parchment paper, wax paper, or two silpats on the countertop then set aside.
- Add puffcorn, pretzels, and peanuts to a very large bowl - if you don't have an XL bowl, use two large bowls - then set aside.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir. If chocolate chips aren't completely smooth, continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments, stirring between increments, until completely melted.
- Drizzle chocolate over puffcorn mixture then gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread mixture out onto prepared surface then sprinkle with M&Ms (may not use whole bag) and press gently so they adhere to the warm chocolate. Add sprinkles then let cool completely. Transfer to treat bags or an airtight container.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
What a fun treat!! Thank you! What brand of sprinkles have you found to be gluten-free?
SO fun, thank you, Istuke! I use Brother♥Sister Design Studio sprinkles sold at Hobby Lobby!
Hi. I can’t find the puff corn…is there anything you could substitute or would that totally ruin it?
You can use 12 cups of air popped popcorn instead! (Different than the 8 cups puffcorn called for in this recipe.)
I’m a Midwesterner (raised in Indiana, have lived in Michigan and Minnesota, now live in Ohio) and I had never heard of puffcorn! A search on Kroger shows they have it. I thought the photo was Pirates Booty at first!
Let me know what you think if you give it a try!!
I thought I was seeing crushed candy canes or peppermints with the white coating! Wonder how that would taste?!
I bet it’d be amazing!! White chocolate + peppermint is a fabulous combo! Dark chocolate too – have you tried either of these recipes?
https://iowagirleats.com/chocolate-peppermint-puppy-chow/
https://iowagirleats.com/dark-chocolate-peppermint-bark-recipe/
The recipe on the back of the puffed corn bag for Carmel corn is excellent is excellent!
I saw it and am dying to try!
I am wanting to make this for myself and a friend who has celiac. What brand of white chocolate chips and pretzels do you use? Some reviews of gluten free white chocolate chips say they have no flavor. I want to get something that will taste good! Thanks!
I use Hershey’s Premier White Chocolate Chips (double check packaging for the gluten free claim where you live,) and Glutino pretzel twists! :D
Honestly, the best is Choc-zero white chocolate chips. They do have dairy though, but gf & delicious!
Hi Kristen! We are gf and dairy free. I know you can relate. Do you have any ideas on a white chocolate substitute?
Ugh, I can relate! Unfortunately I don’t know of any DF “white chocolate” substitute, but you could make this recipe with dairy free milk/semi/dark chocolate if you like (Enjoy Life chocolates are GF/DF/).
Never responded to posts online before but love your blog. As an Iowan (Go Hawks!!!!) living in North Carolina since 2004 I miss so much “Iowa Stuff” — although we do get back around July 4 every year (YAAAY Kalona Cheese Curds). I haven’t made this yet but am going to try. I know some people have trouble finding puffcorn here in NC and other places but Cheetos has a Butter Puffcorn and a Cheese Puffcorn. I’m going to try the butter and see if that works. How can you go wrong with more butter? I used to make the caramel puffcorn at home when I lived in Iowa with the Old Dutch and seriously had an addiction to it. It’s hard to stop eating.
Yes! That’s exactly the one – the butter Chester’s brand! And oh my gosh, I’m scared to make the caramel corn on the back of the Old Dutch bag – looks INSANE!
Yum…went to top priority for family gifts with DVD Christmas movie and water bottles.
Oh I’m so happy to hear it! I hope your family loves it!
I was skeptical at first about this treat, but shouldn’t have been. Insanely addictive and delicious. I brought 2 bags to family Christmas and they were gone in a flash. So easy, so delicious, and my new go to treat for every holiday with colored sprinkles.
Wooo! So glad to hear that, Michelle! Love seeing a new tradition being born. :)