White Trash Recipe (White Chocolate Christmas Trash Mix)

This festive white trash snack mix (also known as white chocolate party mix) is the kind of holiday treat you’ll find yourself making on repeat all December long. It’s loaded with crunchy rice cereal, mini pretzels, M&M’s, peanuts, and holiday sprinkles, all coated in melted white chocolate so every bite is salty, sweet, and ridiculously addictive. The best part is how simple and flexible it is—no baking, no special equipment, and you can easily swap in your favorite cereals, candies, or nuts.

Why You'll Love This White Trash Recipe

This white trash snack mix is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward holiday recipe. It comes together in about 5 minutes with no baking and no fuss—just melt the white chocolate, toss everything in a bowl, and spread it out to set. That makes it perfect for busy December nights, last-minute party invites, classroom treats, or an easy Christmas snack to make with kids. It’s salty, sweet, crunchy, and colorful, which means it always disappears fast at holiday parties and potlucks.

You’ll also love how flexible and gift-friendly this recipe is. You can stick with the classic combo of rice cereal, pretzels, M&M’s, peanuts, and sprinkles, or customize it with different cereals, candies, or nuts based on what you have in the pantry. Once it sets, it keeps well in airtight containers and cute treat bags, so it’s ideal for edible gifts, cookie trays, and snack bowls for holiday movie nights. It’s one of those recipes you can rely on year after year because it’s easy, festive, and always a hit with both kids and adults. Just check out what this reader said about this white trash recipe:

My daughter had mentioned white trash around Christmas, but I had already baked alot of cookies. Anyway, I just made some today w/valentine and holiday sprinkles (red /green). I'm calling it Eagles game day /Valentine Day trash. Used regular Chex Mix , m and m s, and some extra nuts and pretzels. I can't stop eating it ! Help !! 🙂 -Sharon

Ingredients You'll Need

One of my favorite things about this white trash recipe is that you only need about a handful of ingredients to make it. What's even better about this recipe is that if you don't have one of the ingredients on hand, you can easily swap it out for one that you do. 

Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make it:

• 1 cup white chocolate, chopped 
• 2 cups Rice Cereal (I used Chex Mix cereal)
• 1 cup mini Pretzels 
• 1 cup Red and Green M&Ms
• 1 cup Peanuts 
• ¼ cup Holiday Sprinkles

Now, to make this white chocolate trail mix extra festive, I went the extra mile and used red and green M&Ms to compliment the holiday sprinkles. But, you don't have to go as far as I did with the holiday cheer.

As for the white chocolate, feel free to swap the white chocolate chips with white chocolate melting wafers or even a chopped white chocolate bar. Oh, and if you end up with some extra white chocolate you can use it to make my Christmas crack recipe. It's just as addicting as this one.

Also, if anyone in your group has a peanut allergy, feel free to take out the peanuts and swap them with something below.

By the way, if you're looking for another chocolate snack mix, you have to give this puppy chow recipe a try! It's another really tasty holiday recipe.

White Trash Additions & Substitutions

One of the best things about white trash snack mix is how flexible it is. I usually make mine with rice cereal (like Rice Krispies), mini pretzels, M&M’s, and peanuts, but you can easily swap in whatever crunchy, salty, or sweet snacks you have in the pantry.

Some great additions or substitutions include Chex cereal, Corn Flakes, Golden Grahams, Ritz crackers, pretzel sticks, raisins, mini marshmallows, Biscoff cookies, Chips Ahoy pieces, or Mini Oreos. You can mix and match based on what you like—just aim for a good balance of salty (crackers, pretzels, nuts) and sweet (cereal, cookies, candy).

That’s the beauty of this white trash recipe: it’s more of a template than a strict formula. Any sweet-and-salty, bite-sized snacks you have on hand will usually work. Feel free to get creative and add your favorites to make the mix your own.

How To Make White Trash

Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate

Add the white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate) to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well after each round, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat—white chocolate scorches easily, so stop as soon as it’s fully melted and glossy.

Step 2: Coat the mix-ins in chocolate

Once the chocolate is melted, add the cereal, mini pretzels, and peanuts directly into the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until all the pieces are evenly coated in white chocolate. Then mix in some of the red and green M&M’s and a handful of sprinkles so you get pops of color throughout the mix.

Step 3: Spread onto a baking sheet

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the coated mixture onto the sheet and spread it out into an even layer, breaking up any very large clumps. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle more M&M’s and sprinkles over the top, pressing them in very lightly so they stick as the chocolate sets.

Step 4: Let the chocolate set

Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill until the white chocolate is firm to the touch, usually about 20–30 minutes. Once set, remove the sheet and break the white trash into bite-size clusters. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for holiday snacking, gift bags, or party bowls.

Expert Tips For The Best White Trash Snack Mix

• Use the right white chocolate (or almond bark).
  White chocolate can be finicky—some brands melt silky smooth, others seize or turn grainy. For the most reliable result, use good-quality white chocolate chips or white almond bark/candy coating. Almond bark and candy melts are more forgiving and less likely to scorch or seize, especially if you’re making a big batch of white trash snack mix for the holidays.
• Melt low and slow to avoid scorching.
  White chocolate burns faster than milk or dark chocolate, so it’s important to microwave in short 20–30 second bursts, stirring well between each. Stop heating as soon as it’s melted and smooth. If you see it getting thick, dull, or grainy, it’s starting to overheat. You can sometimes rescue it by stirring in a teaspoon of neutral oil, but it’s much better to prevent overheating in the first place.
• Use a big bowl for plenty of mixing room.
  Once you add cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and candies, the volume increases quickly. Using a large mixing bowl gives you room to fold everything together gently without crushing the ingredients. This helps get an even white chocolate coating on your white trash mix instead of ending up with chunks of plain cereal at the bottom.
• Add mix-ins in stages.
  Stir the cereal, pretzels, and peanuts into the melted chocolate first to get them evenly coated. Then add part of your M&M’s and sprinkles to the bowl so you get pops of color throughout the mix. Save some candy and sprinkles to scatter over the top after you spread it on the baking sheet—this gives you a more festive look and ensures the decorations are visible.
• Don’t overpack the mix on the baking sheet.
  When you spread the chocolate-coated mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, aim for an even layer that isn’t too thick. If it’s piled up in one big mound, the center will take longer to set and you’ll end up with a giant slab that’s harder to break into bite-size pieces. A relatively even layer helps everything set at the same rate and gives you nicer clusters.
• Chill just until set—don’t leave it too long.
  Refrigerating the tray helps the white chocolate set quickly, usually in about 20–30 minutes. Once it’s firm, take it out and break it into pieces. If you leave it in the fridge for a long time, it can pick up moisture when it comes back to room temperature and feel slightly tacky. Chilling just until set gives you the cleanest, snappiest texture.
• Break into various sizes for better snacking.
  When you break the white trash mix apart, aim for a mix of small, bite-size clusters and slightly larger pieces. The variety makes it more fun to snack on and looks great in bowls or treat bags. If you’re gifting it, you can pick out some especially pretty clusters with lots of visible M&M’s and sprinkles for the top of the bag or tin.
• Adjust the sweet-salty balance to your taste.
  If you like your snack mix on the sweeter side, lean heavier on sugary cereals, cookies, or extra M&M’s. For more salty crunch, add more pretzels, salted nuts, or even a handful of crushed crackers. The recipe is very flexible—you can adjust the mix-ins to fit whether you want more “candy-ish” or more “trail mix-ish.”
• Make it kid-friendly and allergy-aware.
  If you’re serving this at school parties or kid events, you may want to skip the peanuts and use extra cereal, pretzels, or seed-based snacks to keep it nut-free. You can also let kids help with the safe parts—pouring cereal, adding M&M’s and sprinkles, and breaking the set mix into pieces—while you handle the hot melted chocolate.
• Double or triple the batch for gifting.
  White trash snack mix is perfect for Christmas gifts because it stores well, looks festive, and travels easily. If you’re planning to make multiple gift bags or tins, it’s easy to double or triple the recipe. Just melt the chocolate in batches if your bowl or microwave is small, and use a couple of baking sheets so the mixture isn’t piled too thick.

White Trash Recipe FAQS

What is white trash snack mix made of?

White trash snack mix is typically made from a combination of cereal (like Rice Krispies or Chex), mini pretzels, peanuts or other nuts, M&M’s or similar candies, and melted white chocolate. Everything is tossed together so the white chocolate coats the mix, then spread out to set and broken into bite-size pieces. It’s a sweet-and-salty, no-bake Christmas snack mix that’s great for parties and gifting.

Can I use almond bark or candy melts instead of white chocolate chips?

Yes, almond bark and candy melts work very well and are often more foolproof than regular white chocolate chips. They’re designed to melt smoothly and coat candy, so they’re a great choice if you’re worried about white chocolate seizing or if you’re making a big batch of white trash for the holidays.

How long does white trash snack mix last?

Stored in an airtight container at cool room temperature, white trash snack mix will keep well for about 1–2 weeks. If your house is very warm, you can store it in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from getting soft, but let it come back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Do I need to refrigerate white trash after making it?

You only need to refrigerate it initially to help the chocolate set quickly. After that, it can be stored at room temperature as long as your kitchen isn’t too warm. If it’s hot where you live and the chocolate starts to soften, you can keep it in the fridge and pull it out a few minutes before serving.

Can I freeze white trash snack mix?

You can freeze it, but it’s usually not necessary. If you do freeze it, make sure it’s fully set first and then store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw it at room temperature. Just be aware that freezing and thawing can sometimes cause slight changes in the white chocolate’s texture, so room temperature storage is usually preferred if you’ll eat it within a week or two.

Can I make white trash mix without peanuts or nuts?

Yes, it’s easy to make this recipe nut-free. Simply leave out the peanuts and add more cereal, pretzels, or a nut-free crunchy snack to keep the volume and texture. Many people use extra pretzels, Goldfish, or more M&M’s when making white trash for school or kid-friendly events.

Can I use different cereals or snacks in this recipe?

Definitely. One of the biggest perks of white trash is how customizable it is. You can use Chex, Corn Flakes, Golden Grahams, or other crunchy cereals, and swap or add snacks like pretzel sticks, Ritz crackers, mini Oreos, Biscoff pieces, or mini marshmallows. Just keep the overall ratio of dry mix to chocolate relatively similar so everything gets coated.

How do I keep the chocolate from getting clumpy or grainy?

White chocolate can become clumpy if it’s overheated or if even a small amount of water gets into it. Always microwave in short bursts and stir often, and make sure your bowl and utensils are completely dry. If it starts to thicken suddenly and look rough or grainy, it’s likely overheated and might not coat the mix smoothly. Using almond bark or candy melts is a good workaround if you’ve had trouble with white chocolate in the past.

Is white trash snack mix good for gifting?

Yes, it’s excellent for gifting. Once the mix is set and broken into pieces, you can portion it into cellophane bags, tins, or small boxes and tie them with ribbon. It holds its shape, doesn’t crumble easily, and looks festive with the colorful M&M’s and sprinkles. Just remind recipients to store it in a cool place to keep the chocolate from melting.

Wrapping Things Up

That’s all you need to make this Christmas white trash snack mix. It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolatey, and so festive—basically everything you want in an easy holiday treat. It comes together fast, looks great in bowls, tins, or gift bags, and it’s one of those recipes kids love helping with and then ask to make again every year. A little messy, a lot of fun, and the kind of thing that easily turns into a family tradition.

As long as you’ve got white chocolate, colorful sprinkles, and a mix of sweet-and-salty snacks like cereal, pretzels, peanuts, and candy, you’ve got everything you need to whip up a batch of this quick-and-easy Christmas snack mix. If you give this white trash recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it went—drop a comment and rating below and tell me what mix-ins you used.

Holiday Dessert Recipes To Try

Looking for some more delicious Christmas desserts to make? If you are, we have a ton on the blog just like this white trash Chex Mix!

Here are some of my favorites for the holidays:

• Fantasy fudge
• Christmas crack
• Christmas cookie fudge
• Peanut butter balls
• Chocolate Jello pudding pie
  
• No bake mini cheesecake bites
• Gingerbread cookies without molasses
• Small batch sugar cookies
• Fireball fudge

Oh, and for more easy holiday dessert recipes, visit our Youtube channel, Instagram, or TikTok. We post new ones on them almost every day.