We’ve all given up the pretense that we’re wearing, like, actual pants at this point in the holiday season, right? Me and my leggings are thoroughly enjoying our freedom by eating copious amounts of Christmas Crunch!
Say hello to the most addicting little treat to come out of my kitchen in ages. Christmas Crunch is a crispy, crunchy, salty, perfectly sweet snack mix that’s perfect for holiday parties or sharing with friends and family. Ben said I’m no longer allowed to make it…because we can’t stop eating it!
Watch How to Make It!
Christmas Crunch Puffcorn = the Ultimate Holiday Treat
Christmas Crunch is buttery, crispy puffcorn paired with gluten free pretzels, peanuts, melted white chocolate, holiday M&M’s, and more sprinkles than you can shake a stick at. The result is a gorgeous, totally addictive snack mix with the perfect balance of salty and sweet. It is totally irresistible!
Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving
Christmas Crunch makes for the most delicious and thoughtful holiday gift. This year the kids and I made a double batch then packaged the mix in clear bags, tied with a pretty ribbon, and delivered to the neighbors with our family Christmas card. It was so fun! The holidays are such a great time to show the treasured people in your life that you care, and nothing says it quite as well as a handmade treat.
Ingredients Needed
For as gorgeous as this snack mix is, it requires very few ingredients and can be made in just 10 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for the melted chocolate to set up. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Puffcorn: Puffcorn is a delicious and buttery tasting puffed corn snack that’s the perfect sturdy base for mixing and topping with lots of tasty goodies. I find it holds up way better than popcorn to stirring, and the buttery flavor compliments the sweetness of the white chocolate and candy.
- Pretzel Twists: I use Snyders Gluten Free Pretzel Twists for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite brand. If you don’t need to eat GF, you can use regular mini pretzel twists.
- Peanuts: I like roasted peanuts, which again, compliments the white chocolate and M&M candies. Peanut M&Ms are one of my favorite treats, and peanuts in the mix really drive home that flavor.
- White Chocolate Chips + Oil: I adore white chocolate, especially around the holidays. Such a beautiful, buttery vanilla flavor and color. I melt white chocolate chips with a thwack of vegetable oil or coconut oil which renders it nice and silky.
- Holiday M&Ms: the bold red and green candies add a festive holiday touch and chocolaty flavor to this snack mix.
- Gluten Free Sprinkles: Sweetapolita makes really pretty, gluten free red and green sprinkles that make this Christmas Crunch mix sparkle and shine like a Christmas tree!
How To Store Christmas Crunch
After mixing up the Christmas Crunch, there are several ways to store it. With a tight seal, it will last for days on the countertop.
- Store in a baking dish with a tight fitting lid.
- Store in gallon size Ziplock bags with the air pressed out.
- Scoop into treat bags then tie with a twist tie, and then a pretty ribbon.
Whether you serve this white chocolate coated treat at a holiday party, share with friends and family, or whip up to have as a tasty treat at home – just be sure to make it this holiday season!
How to Make Christmas Crunch
Start with a bag of puffcorn. At the time of this writing, Old Dutch brand is gluten free (and amazing!) We buy this all year round because it’s just so darn good.
Add the puffcorn 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 add white chocolate chips and a thwack of coconut oil or vegetable oil to a microwave safe bowl then heat and stir in 30 second increments until the chocolate is smooth and melted. If you have a coconut allergy, or don’t have it in the house, vegetable oil is a great swap.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the puffcorn mixture then use a spatula to fold and toss the ingredients until everything is evenly coated.
Now comes the fun part! Pour the mixture onto parchment paper, wax paper, or a couple of silpats, then spread out and sprinkle on holiday M&Ms and sprinkles. This is the super fun, mad scientist part, so add as little or as much as your heart desires. Kids love this part!
Let the chocolate set then dig in! Like I said, Christmas Crunch is a spectacular treat to deliver to friends and family. Scoop into treat bags or tins then share the holiday magic. I hope you love eating this special Christmas treat – enjoy!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
- Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Gluten Free Kiss Cookies
- Buckeyes
- Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow
- Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
- 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
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Christmas Crunch
Description
Christmas Crunch 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 like Old Dutch brand)
- 2 cups gluten free pretzels (I like Snyders GF)
- 1-1/2 cups peanuts
- 12oz bag gluten free white chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon coconut or vegetable 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.
Video
They loved them!
So glad to hear it!!
I made this for co-workers and it was a hit. I had to make several batches. I wonder if a trash bag could be used for mixing a large batch??
If you have a squeaky clean tub (like one for organizing) I think that would work well!
What peanuts do you use? We did the sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms for my annual baking day with grandkids. They loved them!! I have one grandson with celiac.
I’m so glad to hear they loved the cookies, Carrye! I use Fisher peanuts – the kind with just peanuts and salt in the nutrition label!
I looked up puff corn online and they want $42 for two bags. needless to say, I won’t be making this recipe, even though it looks delicious!
Walmart sells puffed corn snacks for $2.50 a bag.
Oh shoot! I want to say I saw a similar product at Trader Joe’s if you have one of these near you!