Oh, what fun it is to nibble on delightful Christmas treats! I’ve had so much fun making this recipe over the last few years. It’s a take on a classic holiday chex mix, sweet and salty, crunchy and irresistibly good, so good it might have to be on the naughty list, but too good not to be on the nice list. North Pole Nibbles are the perfect snack for a hard-working Santa and his crew.

Chocolate and peanut butter (and peanuts) are an ideal pair. Peanut butter’s natural creaminess, slight savory, and definitely sweet flavor work beautifully with semi-sweet chocolate. I’ve purposefully chosen semi-sweet chocolate because it’s slightly bitter, alleviating the risk of being overly sweet, especially once the powdered sugar is added.

The creamy-sweet coating is balanced with two crunchy-salty ingredients: pretzel sticks and cocktail peanuts. Both add texture to the nibbles, and for a little more texture, I add M&Ms. It’s ok to be creative here; peanut, peanut butter, or classic M&Ms are all ideal options to add. The cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms are tossed in the peanut butter-chocolate mixture. Once evenly coated, the powdered sugar is added to coat everything in a winter wonderland of sweetness.

North Pole Nibbles are a mashup of Puppy Chow and Reindeer Munch, the remix we all needed this holiday season. Store what you’ve managed not to eat in snack-sized Ziploc bags and bring them out for any festive celebration. North Pole Nibbles are also a delightful host gift or cookie exchange alternative. And a bowlful beside the fireplace on Christmas Eve is always a good idea!