Holiday Hash is a holiday lifesaver! With just a few simple ingredients and an hour of your time, you can create a festive treat that’s perfect for snacking and gifting. This recipe makes a generous batch, so you’ll have plenty to share with loved ones—or keep for yourself. Add holiday sprinkles or red and green M&Ms to make it extra festive.

Holiday Hash is the ultimate festive snack that combines the perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite. Think of it as a holiday mix that’s way more exciting than your average snack mix. With crispy cereals, crunchy pretzels, salty peanuts, and a generous coating of rich white chocolate, this treat is a crowd-pleaser for sure. You can even make it extra festive with red and green M&Ms or sprinkles.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Holiday Hash

Here’s what you’ll need to make it just right:

Rice Chex: These crispy little squares are the foundation of your hash, providing that signature crunch and texture that holds everything together.
Corn Chex: Corn Chex adds a bit of a lighter, sweeter flavor, perfectly balancing the Rice Chex while giving your hash a variety of shapes and textures.
Cheerios: Don’t overlook these tiny circles! Cheerios contribute a mild, oat flavor and the perfect little bite-sized crunch.
Small Twist Pretzels: I love using small twist pretzels for a pop of salt and extra crunch. You could swap in mini pretzel sticks if that’s what you have on hand.
Peanuts (dry roasted, plain, or honey roasted): Peanuts bring protein, a savory bite, and that wonderful contrast of flavor. If you’re not a fan of peanuts, you can easily substitute with almonds or cashews, depending on your preference.
Plain M&Ms: Feel free to get creative and swap out for peanut or almond M&Ms if you like a little extra bite.
White Melting Wafers or White Chocolate Chips: This is what makes everything stick together. White chocolate provides that smooth, creamy coating. Melting wafers are made for candy-making, and they’re super easy to work with. You can find them at most grocery, cake, or craft stores. If you prefer using chocolate bars or baker’s chocolate, that works great too. Just be cautious with regular chocolate chips—because they’re designed to resist melting, they can be a bit trickier to work with.
Sprinkles (optional): Sprinkles add a touch of festive fun and whimsy to your Holiday Hash. Whether you’re using red and green for the holidays or a mix of your favorite colors, sprinkles are totally optional, but they do make it extra special.

These ingredients come together to make the perfect holiday snack mix that’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and totally addictive. And don’t worry if you don’t have every ingredient on hand—you can play around with different cereals, nuts, or chocolates to make this your own.

Pro Tip

If you’re using chocolate chips (which can be trickier to melt), try adding 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil per ounce of chips. This helps them melt smoothly without clumping. Microwave in 30-second intervals at medium power and stir well after each.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Holiday Hash

Here’s how to make your own batch of Holiday Hash:

Mix the Dry Ingredients: Start by pouring all the dry ingredients—Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms—into a huge mixing bowl or bin. You need plenty of space to toss everything around later.
Melt the White Chocolate: Now, let’s get to the fun part! Melt your white chocolate chips or melting wafers according to the package instructions. Be extra careful here—these chips burn quickly, so you don’t want to rush. Stir regularly as you melt, and keep an eye on them to avoid any mishaps.
Coat the Dry Mix: Once your white chocolate is ready, pour it over the dry ingredients. Use a strong, long-handled wooden spoon to gently toss everything together until each piece is well-coated. If you’re feeling festive, toss in some sprinkles for that extra holiday sparkle!
Let It Set: Spread the mixture out on some waxed paper and let the chocolate harden. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
Break It Into Pieces: Once the chocolate is set, break your Holiday Hash into bite-sized pieces.
Store or Gift: Store your Holiday Hash in an airtight container, or divide it into cute gift bags for a delicious homemade gift. It’s that easy!

Perfect Packaging Ideas for Holiday Hash Gifts

Here are some fun and creative ways to package your Holiday Hash for gifting:

Glassine Bags: These translucent, waxed bags are an affordable and charming way to package your Holiday Hash. You can find them in a variety of sizes, and their slightly frosted finish gives the treats a beautiful, soft glow. Tie them up with a festive ribbon or twine for a classic look.
Mason Jars: For a rustic touch, pack your Holiday Hash into mason jars. They’re great for showcasing the colorful M&Ms and sprinkles, and the lid keeps everything fresh. Add a little gift tag or a holiday sticker to personalize it, and you’ve got an Insta-worthy gift!
Cellophane Bags: If you want to go for a more classic, “store-bought” look, clear cellophane bags are a great choice. You can fill them to the brim with Holiday Hash, then tie them with a big bow or add some cute holiday-themed tags.
Tin Tie Bags: If you want something that looks more professional, tin tie bags are a fabulous option. These resealable bags come with a handy metal tie, so your gift stays secure while still being stylish. They’re especially great for giving in bulk to a group of people or at a holiday gathering.

The beauty of gifting Holiday Hash is that it’s not only delicious but also thoughtful. With a little creativity, you can turn this sweet treat into a memorable gift that shows just how much you care. Whatever packaging you choose, don’t forget to add a handwritten note or a sweet message to make it even more personal!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Heavenly Holiday Hash

A quick and easy holiday treat that's perfect for snacking or gifting. This festive mixture is packed with crunchy cereals, pretzels, peanuts, M&Ms, and white chocolate. With a colorful blend of red and green M&Ms, you'll have a treat that looks as festive as it tastes. Makes 10-15 gifts depending on your container size.

Prep Time1

Total Time1

Course: Candy, Gifts

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 519kcal

Ingredients

3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Cheerios
2 cups small pretzels
2 cups dry roasted peanuts plain or honey roasted
24 oz plain M&Ms red and green for a festive touch
24 oz white melting wafers or white chocolate chips*
Sprinkles optional

Instructions

Prep the Base: In a large mixing bowl (or container), combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms.
Melt the White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate or melting wafers according to package instructions. Note: Be sure not to overcook as chocolate burns quickly. If using chocolate chips, add 1 tsp of vegetable oil per ounce of chips to help them melt smoothly.
Coat the Mixture: Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and gently stir with a long-handled spoon until everything is well coated.
Optional: Toss in sprinkles for a festive touch.
Let It Set: Spread the mixture out on wax paper and allow the chocolate to harden (about 30 minutes).
Break and Store: Once set, break the Holiday Hash into pieces. Store in an airtight container or pour into gift bags.

Notes

Chocolate Melting Tips: Melting wafers are the easiest to work with for candy-making, and they set up nicely once hardened. You can also use chocolate bars or baker's chocolate, but avoid using regular chocolate chips unless necessary—they tend to resist melting. If using chips, stir in a little vegetable oil and microwave in intervals, stirring frequently.

Gift Idea: This recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect for holiday gifting. You can package it in mason jars, clear gift bags, or festive tins for a personalized touch.

Nutrition

Question: Have you ever made homemade gifts for the holidays? What’s your go-to treat to share with friends and family? Let me know down in the comments below.