Easy No-Bake Christmas Trash Recipe

Updated on: December 17, 2025

A close-up of a festive christmas trash recipe in a white bowl, featuring white chocolate-covered pretzels, M&M's, and cereal.

Welcome to the ultimate festive snack! This Christmas Trash recipe is a holiday lifesaver, blending sweet and salty flavors into an irresistible mix. It is incredibly simple to make, requires no baking, and comes together in mere minutes. Perfect for busy parents and beginners, this crowd-pleasing treat will quickly become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Get ready to create a delicious and easy Christmas Trash everyone will adore.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Trash Recipe

Quick & Easy: This no-bake recipe is ready in minutes, making it perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings.
Holiday Party Ready: It is an ideal snack for festive parties, potlucks, or a cozy night in.
Perfect for Gifting: Package this delightful Christmas Trash in jars or bags for thoughtful homemade presents.
Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Kid-Friendly: Children love helping to mix the colorful components, and everyone enjoys eating it.
Large Batch: This recipe yields a generous amount, ensuring there is enough for sharing and snacking.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your festive Christmas Trash mixture. Each item plays a role in building the perfect balance of crunch, saltiness, and sweet delight that makes this snack so popular.

3 cups Rice Chex Cereal
3 cups Corn Chex Cereal
3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios toasted oat cereal
2 cups small pretzels
2 cups salted peanuts
1 (12 ounce) bag holiday M&M’s plain chocolate candy (red & green)
1 (12 ounce) bag holiday M&M’s peanut chocolate candies
2 (12 ounce) bags white chocolate chips

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this delightful holiday mix to fit your preferences. For different textures, try Wheat Chex or other favorite cereals. Swap small pretzels for mini pretzel twists or rods. If you need a nut-free option, replace peanuts with roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Feel free to incorporate other candies like gumdrops, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles. For the coating, white almond bark makes an excellent alternative to white chocolate chips.

Equipment

Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the assembly process smooth and efficient. You will only need a few basic kitchen tools for this easy, no-bake recipe.

Very large mixing bowls (at least one)
Baking sheets or large trays
Parchment paper or wax paper
Microwave-safe bowl
Sturdy spatula or large spoon

Instructions

Creating this festive Christmas Trash is incredibly straightforward, perfect for a stress-free holiday project. Follow these simple steps for a delicious outcome.

Prepare dry mixture: Start by combining your cereals, pretzels, peanuts, and both types of M&M’s in a very large mixing bowl. Make sure to use the largest bowl you own to allow for easy tossing later. Gently stir these ingredients together until they are evenly distributed throughout the bowl.
Melt white chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval. Continue this process until the white chocolate is completely smooth and melted, with no lumps remaining. Be careful not to overheat it.
Coat mixture: Carefully pour the melted white chocolate over the dry cereal and candy mixture in the large bowl. Ensure you get all the melted chocolate from the bowl.
Toss until evenly coated: Using a sturdy spatula or large spoon, gently toss the entire mixture. Work quickly but carefully to ensure every piece of cereal, every pretzel, and every peanut is thoroughly coated with the melted white chocolate. Continue tossing until everything looks nicely covered. This ensures a consistent flavor and texture in your Christmas Trash.
Spread and set: Line your baking sheets or large trays with parchment paper or wax paper. Spread the coated Christmas Trash mixture in a single, thin layer over the prepared surface. Try to avoid big clumps so it can set evenly.
Allow to harden: Let the mixture sit undisturbed at room temperature. Depending on your room temperature and humidity, this can take 1 to 2 hours for the white chocolate to fully harden. If you are in a hurry, you can place the trays in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes, but room temperature setting often yields a better texture.
Break apart: Once the white chocolate has completely hardened and is no longer sticky, gently break the large slab of Christmas Trash into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Use your hands to crumble it into appealing chunks.
Store properly: Transfer your finished Christmas Trash to an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and delicious for future snacking.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving perfect Christmas Trash is simple with a few helpful hints. Always use your largest mixing bowl to give ingredients plenty of room to toss without spilling. When melting chocolate, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent scorching or seizing. Toss the mixture gently to avoid crushing delicate cereal pieces, maintaining a good crunch. To prevent sticky trash, allow it to cool and harden completely before breaking it apart. For an even coating, use two spatulas to lift and fold the mixture, ensuring all components are covered. Add festive sprinkles immediately after spreading the mixture and before it sets for an extra touch of holiday cheer.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile Christmas Trash is perfect for many occasions during the festive season.

Serving Suggestions: Present this colorful snack in large festive bowls for a party centerpiece, or divide it into charming gift bags and decorative tins for neighbors, teachers, and friends. It also makes a wonderful addition to a holiday dessert platter.

Storage Instructions: To keep your Christmas Trash fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. A cool, dry pantry is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight or warm spots, which can cause the chocolate to melt or become sticky.

When preparing homemade food gifts, the University of Minnesota Extension provides guidelines for safe handling and storage to ensure they are safe to eat.

Shelf Life: When stored properly, this delightful holiday mix will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 weeks.

Variations:

Chocolate: Experiment with semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips. You can also use chocolate almond bark for a smoother coating.
Nuts: Substitute salted peanuts with pecans, walnuts, cashews, or a mixed nut blend for different flavors and textures.
Add-ins: Enhance your mix with dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, butterscotch chips, or even some crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
Flavor Boost: Stir a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a few drops of peppermint extract into your melted white chocolate before pouring for an extra layer of flavor.
Shaping: Press the coated mixture into a festive mold or arrange it on parchment paper in the shape of a Christmas tree before it sets.

Nutrition

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate. It is calculated based on the ingredients listed and general food data, but actual values can vary depending on specific brands, preparation methods, and ingredient substitutions. This Christmas Trash recipe is a treat, so enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.

Component	Per Serving (Estimate)
Calories	Varies
Total Fat	Varies
Carbohydrates	Varies
Protein	Varies
Sugar	Varies

FAQ

Can I freeze Christmas Trash?
Yes, you can! Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw it at room temperature before serving.
How long does Christmas Trash last?
This delicious snack stays fresh for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Keeping it cool and dry helps preserve its texture and flavor.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
Absolutely! Simply omit the salted peanuts and substitute them with an equal amount of roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a delicious nut-free Christmas Trash.
What if my chocolate seizes?
If your white chocolate becomes thick and clumpy, it likely seized from overheating or getting moisture into it. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix; you will need to start over with fresh chocolate.
Can I use other cereals?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite plain or slightly sweetened cereals like Rice Krispies, Golden Grahams, or even other Chex varieties to customize your mix.

Conclusion

This Easy No-Bake Christmas Trash recipe truly embodies the spirit of the holidays with its simplicity and deliciousness. It is the perfect blend of sweet and salty, offering a satisfying crunch that makes everyone reach for more. Whether you are whipping up a quick snack for your family, creating thoughtful homemade gifts, or preparing for a festive gathering, this recipe delivers. Make this delightful Christmas Trash a cherished part of your holiday traditions, bringing smiles and delicious moments to all.