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Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe
This Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe is a ridiculously fun, no-bake, sweet-and-salty Christmas snack mix that comes together in minutes and disappears even faster.
What Is Santa’s Trash Snack Mix, Anyway?
If you’ve never heard of Santa’s Trash snack mix, think of it as the cozy, Christmas sweater version of a classic trail mix—loud, colorful, crunchy, and full of personality. It’s a festive snack mix loaded with pretzels, potato chips, holiday M&M’s, crushed cookies, and salty peanuts (or whatever “trash” you have in the pantry), all coated in creamy white chocolate and finished with sprinkles.
Despite the funny name, this Christmas snack mix is absolutely gift-worthy. It’s a no bake Christmas recipe, which means no turning on the oven when your kitchen is already busy with cookies and casseroles. You just melt white chocolate, stir everything together, spread it out, and let it set. That’s it.
I like to make this holiday party snack the week before Christmas, divide it into little treat bags, and tuck them into stockings or gift baskets. It also makes the best Christmas movie snack—grab a big holiday snack bowl, pile it high with this crunchy Christmas mix, and you’re set for a cozy night with “Elf” or “Home Alone.”
From a health perspective, no, this is not a green smoothie. But it is a snack you can control a little: you can add whole-grain cereal, nuts, or lower-sugar add-ins if you want, and portion it into small bags for mindful munching. It’s all about balance and enjoyment, especially during the holidays.
And selfishly? As a 50-year-old mom who’s cooked through many Christmases, I love having a Christmas snack recipe that doesn’t stress me out, doesn’t demand perfect piping skills, and still feels completely magical.
Why You’ll Love This Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe
- No oven required – This is a true no bake Christmas recipe; great when every rack is full of cookies.
- Ready in about 20 minutes – Perfect for those “Oh no, I forgot the Christmas party food!” moments.
- Sweet and salty perfection – Classic salty sweet Christmas mix vibes with pretzels, chips, and white chocolate.
- Totally customizable – Turn it into a Christmas trail mix, a kids Christmas treat, or a more “grown-up” version.
- Amazing for gifting – This Christmas giftable snack looks adorable in jars, tins, or little cellophane bags.
- Crowd-pleaser for all ages – Kids love the candy and sprinkles; adults love the nostalgic, snacky crunch.
- Uses pantry ingredients – A true “use what you have” holiday candy mix, great for clearing out odds and ends.
- Easy to transport – Holds up well on buffet tables, potlucks, and holiday open houses.
- Scales up beautifully – Need a big batch of Christmas party food? Double or triple the recipe with no extra work.
- Perfect make-ahead treat – Stays crunchy for days, so you can prep ahead and relax later.
Ingredients For Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe
Think of this festive snack mix as a flexible road map. I’ll share my favorite combination, then give you suggestions along the way.
Dry Mix:
- 3 cups mini pretzel twists
- Use mini twists or sticks so they coat evenly and fit well in a handful.
- 2 cups ridged potato chips, lightly crushed
- Ridged chips stay a bit crunchier; gently crush them with your hands.
- 2 cups salted popcorn (air-popped or bagged, unflavored)
- Make sure it’s not too buttery or the chocolate won’t set as well.
- 1 ½ cups Christmas-colored M&M’s or similar candy-coated chocolates
- Red and green keep it very “Christmas snack mix,” but any colors work.
- 1 ½ cups broken Oreo cookies or chocolate sandwich cookies
- Roughly chop or break; big chunks are fun, crumbs just make it dusty.
- 1 cup salted peanuts (or mixed nuts)
- Add protein and extra crunch; leave them out for nut-free homes.
White Chocolate Coating:
- 16 oz (about 2 ⅔ cups) white chocolate chips or white candy melts
- Candy melts are a little more forgiving; white chocolate tastes richer but can be finicky.
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
- Helps the coating stay smooth and a bit easier to bite into.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Adds warmth and balances the sweetness.
Finishing Touches:
- ¼ cup red and green sprinkles or jimmies
- 2 tablespoons holiday nonpareils (optional, for extra crunch and sparkle)
- Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, but so good for that sweet and salty snack hit)
Ingredient Substitution Ideas:
- Gluten-free version – Use gluten-free pretzels and cookies, and check your candy labels.
- Nut-free version – Skip nuts and add extra pretzels, popcorn, or sunflower seeds.
- Lower sugar – Swap half the candy for unsweetened coconut flakes, nuts, or whole-grain cereal.
- Brand notes – Ghirardelli or Guittard white chips melt nicely; for candy melts, Merckens and Wilton are reliable.
Step-By-Step Directions (Zero Oven Needed)
-
Prepare your pan and workspace
Line a large baking sheet (or two smaller ones) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This keeps the Santa’s Trash snack mix from sticking and makes cleanup basically effortless. Clear a little counter space—you’ll be spreading this Christmas dessert mix in an even layer. -
Combine the dry ingredients
In a huge mixing bowl (I use my biggest salad bowl), add the pretzels, potato chips, popcorn, M&M’s, broken cookies, and peanuts. Gently toss with your hands or a large spoon. Be a little gentle here; you want a crunchy Christmas mix, not crumbs. -
Melt the white chocolate
Add your white chocolate chips and neutral oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each burst, until almost melted. This usually takes 1 ½ to 2 minutes total, depending on your microwave. When only small bits remain, stir until smooth and glossy.
Tip: If you’re nervous about scorching, use a double boiler on the stove and melt slowly. -
Flavor the chocolate
Stir the vanilla extract into the melted white chocolate. It might seize very slightly for a second, but keep stirring and it’ll smooth back out. Smell that? Instant Christmas. -
Coat the snack mix
Pour the warm white chocolate over the dry mix. Use a large spatula to fold and stir until every piece has at least a light coating. You don’t need everything drenched; a thin, even coating gives a nice balance and keeps it from clumping too hard.
If some pieces at the bottom are still dry, scoop from the bottom up and keep turning. -
Spread and sprinkle
Quickly transfer the coated mix to your prepared baking sheet. Spread it into an even-ish layer—no need for perfection, just avoid big piles. While the coating is still wet, sprinkle on your holiday sprinkles, nonpareils, and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt if using. That salty sweet Christmas mix magic happens right here. -
Let it set
Leave the baking sheet at cool room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or pop it in the fridge for about 15 minutes if your kitchen is warm. The white chocolate should harden so the snack mix feels dry to the touch. -
Break into pieces
Once the Santa’s Trash snack mix is set, break it into bite-size clusters with your hands. You can make big chunks for snacking bowls or smaller ones for Christmas giftable snack bags. Don’t overthink it—messy, irregular pieces are part of the charm. -
Serve or store
Enjoy some right away (you deserve it), then store the rest in an airtight container. Fill a holiday snack bowl for parties, pack small bags for kids Christmas treats, or stash a “secret” container in the pantry for yourself. I won’t tell.
Servings & Timing
- Yield: About 10–12 cups of snack mix (enough for 10–14 snack-size servings or several gift bags)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill/Set Time: 15–30 minutes
- Total Time: Around 30–40 minutes, including cooling
If you’re making this as Christmas party food for a big crowd, plan on about ¾–1 cup per person, especially if you’re serving other desserts and snacks too.
Fun Variations On This Festive Snack Mix
You know what? Once you make this once, you’ll start seeing endless ways to play with it.
- Peppermint Crunch Version – Add ½ cup crushed candy canes and use half white, half milk chocolate for a peppermint bark-style festive snack mix.
- Grinchy Green Mix – Use green candy melts, green M&M’s, and add mini marshmallows for a playful kids Christmas treat.
- Salty Extra-Crunch Mix – Add pretzel sticks, extra chips, and roasted cashews for an ultra-crunchy Christmas trail mix with big snack energy.
- Peanut Butter Drizzle – After the white chocolate sets, drizzle with melted peanut butter chips or warm peanut butter and let it set again.
- Cookie Lover’s Mix – Use a mix of broken Oreos, graham crackers, and vanilla wafers for a heavier Christmas dessert mix.
- “Healthier-ish” Version – Swap half the chips and cookies for whole-grain cereal (like Chex or Cheerios) and almonds or walnuts.
How To Store & Make Ahead
One of my favorite “secret weapons” of this Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe is how well it stores. It’s the snack that keeps on giving.
Room Temperature:
- Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 5–7 days.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight or the oven, or the white chocolate can soften.
Refrigerator:
- If your house runs warm or you’re in a humid climate, you can store the mix in the fridge for 1–2 weeks.
- Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving so it’s not rock hard.
Freezer:
- Yes, you can freeze this! Place in a freezer-safe container or bag, remove as much air as you can, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the container at room temperature—this keeps condensation from making it soggy.
Make-Ahead Tip:
- Make this Christmas snack mix 2–3 days before parties or gifting. The flavors settle, the texture stays crunchy, and you don’t have to scramble the morning of the event.
- If you’re packing this as a holiday candy mix in jars or bags, fill them close to the gifting day so they look extra fresh and festive.
Notes From My Kitchen (And My Holiday Chaos)
- Don’t crush everything too small. It’s tempting to over-crush chips or cookies, but bigger pieces give you that really satisfying bite in this pretzel and chocolate mix.
- Be kind to the chocolate. White chocolate scorches easily. Short bursts in the microwave at reduced power are your friend here. If you see it getting grainy, stop and stir well.
- Work fairly quickly. Once the melted chocolate hits the cooler snacks, it starts setting. Have your baking sheet lined, sprinkles ready, and distractions out of the kitchen for 10 minutes.
- Balance your mix. If you look at the bowl and think, “Wow, that’s a lot of candy,” toss in another handful of pretzels or popcorn. If it looks too beige, add more M&M’s or colorful sprinkles.
- Think about your audience. For little ones, go lighter on nuts and use more cereal and marshmallows. For adults, I sometimes add salted pistachios and dark chocolate chunks for a more “grown-up” holiday snack mix.
- Batch strategy. I like to make a double batch—one for gifting, one for home. Somehow, the “gifting” batch always starts shrinking. Funny how that works.
And just as a friendly reminder from someone who’s been through more than a few holiday seasons: this snack is meant to be fun, not fussy. If your ratios aren’t exact, or you ran out of one ingredient, you’re still going to end up with a bowl everyone inhales.
FAQs About Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe
Can I make this Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe nut-free?
Yes. Just leave out the peanuts (or any nuts) and replace them with more pretzels, popcorn, or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
What if my white chocolate seizes or gets grainy?
You can sometimes rescue it by stirring in 1–2 teaspoons of warm neutral oil and mixing very well. If it’s still lumpy, start fresh with new chocolate and lower power settings on your microwave.
Can I use almond bark or candy melts instead of white chocolate chips?
Absolutely. Almond bark and candy melts are more forgiving and melt very smoothly. The flavor is a bit different but still delicious in this Christmas snack mix.
How far ahead can I make this for a holiday party?
You can comfortably make it 3 days ahead if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For peak crunch, I like 1–2 days ahead.
Is this safe for kids with braces?
Most of it is, but be careful with very hard pieces like big nonpareils or thick candy canes. You can skip harder add-ins and stick with pretzels, popcorn, M&M’s, and cookies for a braces-friendly kids Christmas treat.
Can I halve or double the recipe easily?
Yes. This Christmas snack recipe scales up or down very easily—just keep the ratios similar and use a big enough bowl and baking sheet.
What else can I serve with this at a Christmas movie night?
Pair it with hot cocoa, sliced fruit, and maybe a plate of simple sugar cookies. If you like planning, you can also check out cozy recipes like homemade hot chocolate, peppermint brownies, or gingerbread cookies to round out your snack table.
Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white?
You sure can. You’ll lose that classic white, snowy look, but a mix of dark and milk chocolate makes a rich, candy-bar-style salty sweet Christmas mix that adults adore.
Conclusion: A Festive Little “Trash” Tradition
This Santa’s Trash Snack Mix Recipe is playful, nostalgic, and wonderfully low-stress—a sweet and salty Christmas snack that feels special without asking much from you. It’s colorful enough for a kids’ party, sturdy enough for a holiday snack bowl at game night, and pretty enough to tuck into jars and gift bags.
Give it a try this season, and make it your own with whatever “trash” you have in the pantry. When you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out—leave a comment, share your favorite mix-ins, or experiment with more easy Christmas treats and holiday party snacks. Here’s to a Christmas filled with good food, loud laughter, and bowls of crunchy snack mix on every table.
Santa's Trash Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups mini pretzel twists mini twists or sticks so they coat evenly and fit well in a handful
- 2 cups ridged potato chips lightly crushed; ridged chips stay a bit crunchier
- 2 cups salted popcorn air-popped or bagged, unflavored; not too buttery
- 1 1/2 cups Christmas-colored M&M's or similar candy-coated chocolates
- 1 1/2 cups broken Oreo cookies or other chocolate sandwich cookies; roughly chopped or broken
- 1 cup salted peanuts or mixed nuts; omit for nut-free
- 16 oz white chocolate chips or white candy melts (about 2 2/3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as canola or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure, if possible
- 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles or jimmies
- 2 tablespoons holiday nonpareils optional, for extra crunch and sparkle
- flaky sea salt pinch, optional, for finishing
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet (or two smaller ones) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Clear some counter space so you can spread the snack mix out in an even layer.
- In a very large mixing bowl, add the mini pretzel twists, lightly crushed ridged potato chips, salted popcorn, Christmas-colored M&M's, broken Oreo cookies, and salted peanuts. Gently toss with your hands or a large spoon until evenly combined, being careful not to crush everything into crumbs.3 cups mini pretzel twists, 2 cups ridged potato chips, 2 cups salted popcorn, 1 1/2 cups Christmas-colored M&M's, 1 1/2 cups broken Oreo cookies, 1 cup salted peanuts
- Add the white chocolate chips and neutral oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each burst, until almost fully melted, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes total. When only small bits remain, remove from the microwave and stir until completely smooth and glossy. (Alternatively, melt slowly in a double boiler on the stove.)16 oz white chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- Stir the vanilla extract into the melted white chocolate until fully incorporated. If the mixture thickens slightly, continue stirring until it smooths out again.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the warm melted white chocolate mixture over the bowl of dry ingredients. Use a large spatula to fold and stir until everything has at least a light, even coating. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure no dry pockets remain.
- Transfer the coated snack mix to the prepared baking sheet. Spread it into an even layer, breaking up any large clumps. While the coating is still wet, immediately sprinkle the red and green sprinkles, holiday nonpareils (if using), and a pinch of flaky sea salt evenly over the top.1/4 cup red and green sprinkles, 2 tablespoons holiday nonpareils, flaky sea salt
- Allow the snack mix to sit at cool room temperature for 20–30 minutes, or place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes, until the white chocolate is firm and dry to the touch.
- Once fully set, break the snack mix into bite-size clusters with your hands. Make larger clusters for snack bowls or smaller pieces for gift bags, as desired.
- Serve immediately in a large bowl or divide into jars or treat bags for gifting. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at cool room temperature for 5–7 days.
