If you’re looking for a snack that bursts with fruity sweetness and a creamy, dreamy twist, you simply must try this Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe. It’s the perfect combination of crunchy rice Chex cereal, luscious white chocolate, and the vibrant zing of real strawberry powder—all coming together for a playful and addictive treat. Whether it’s for a party, a cozy night in, or just because your taste buds deserve a little spark, this mix is sure to brighten your snack time and put a big smile on your face.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem straightforward, but each one plays an essential role in creating the magical balance of flavors and textures you’ll love in this Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe. From the crispy base to the sweet coating and colorful extras, every element comes together effortlessly.
- 6 cups rice Chex cereal: The crunchy foundation that adds lightness and texture to your mix.
- 12 oz white chocolate chips (or melting wafers): Brings creamy sweetness that perfectly contrasts the tartness of strawberries.
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries: Fresh strawberry flavor intensified by drying, which when powdered, infuses the mix with vibrant color and taste.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Adds a delicate dusting of sweetness and helps bind flavors.
- â…” cup red or pink/Valentine M&Ms: Fun bursts of chocolate and color that make the mix visually inviting.
- 2 Tbsp red, pink and white sprinkles: Adds a festive, playful look and a tiny crunch.
- Optional add-ins: Mini pretzels, crushed Golden Oreos, mini marshmallows, or extra white chocolate chips for even more flavor and texture variety.
How to Make Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Base
Start with a large bowl and pour in the rice Chex cereal. This crispy cereal is the perfect canvas for all the delicious coating and mix-ins that come next, giving you a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Step 2: Turn Strawberries Into Powder
Grab your freeze-dried strawberries and use a food processor to blitz them down into a fine powder. Don’t worry if tiny seeds remain – that just means you have real fruit flavor! If you don’t have a processor handy, you can crush the berries by placing them in a plastic bag and using a heavy spoon or rolling pin, but the processor is way faster.
Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate
Place the white chocolate chips (or melting wafers) in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in short 20-second bursts, stirring between intervals. When the chocolate is mostly melted, use the heat from stirring to finish the process. This prevents overheating and keeps your chocolate silky smooth instead of grainy.
Step 4: Add Strawberry Powder to Chocolate
Mix in 2 tablespoons of the strawberry powder right into the melted white chocolate. This step infuses the chocolate with that fresh, fruity punch, giving it a beautiful pink hint and irresistible flavor.
Step 5: Coat the Cereal
Pour the strawberry-infused white chocolate over the Chex cereal and gently fold the mixture together. Your goal is to coat every piece without breaking the cereal, so take your time with this to get a nice even spread.
Step 6: Sugar and Strawberry Powder Dusting
In a large ziplock bag, combine the powdered sugar with the remaining strawberry powder. Transfer your chocolate-coated Chex cereal into the bag, seal it tightly, and give it a good shake. This step adds a beautiful, sweet finish and enhances that strawberry flavor throughout the mix.
Step 7: Cool and Add Final Touches
Spread the coated cereal out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or place it in a bowl to cool completely. Once cool, stir in your M&Ms, sprinkles, and any of those optional add-ins you love. Now your Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
Garnishes
Top your bowl of Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe with a few fresh strawberry slices or a sprinkle of extra freeze-dried strawberry powder just before serving. It’s a simple touch that makes the mix feel a bit more special and fresh.
Side Dishes
This chex mix pairs beautifully with a cup of rich hot chocolate or a refreshing glass of cold milk. It also makes a fun contrast next to salty finger foods or a cheese platter for a sweet-salty snack spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try portioning the mix into colorful paper cones or festive mason jars for party favors or holiday gifts. Layering the mix in clear containers before sealing makes a stunning visual display, especially with all the reds, pinks, and whites shining through.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keeping it sealed preserves that crisp texture and ensures the chocolate stays luscious without melting or sweating.
Freezing
If you want to keep this mix longer, you can freeze it in a sealed freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, just thaw it out at room temperature to avoid condensation that can make the mix soggy.
Reheating
While reheating isn’t necessary, if the chocolate feels a little firm after storage, a brief 5-10 second zap in the microwave can soften it just enough to bring back that fresh-from-the-moment texture without melting the M&Ms or sprinkles.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
Fresh strawberries have too much moisture, which will make the mix soggy and not coat well. Freeze-dried strawberries are the best choice to lock in flavor without adding moisture.
What if I don’t like white chocolate?
While white chocolate really completes the flavor here, you could experiment with milk or dark chocolate chips. Just keep in mind the distinctive strawberry taste may be less pronounced with other chocolates.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Rice Chex cereal is naturally gluten-free, so as long as your add-ins like sprinkles and M&Ms are gluten-free, your mix will be safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
How long does it take for the mix to set?
It typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature for the white chocolate coating to harden fully and set, so you’ll want to be patient before digging in.
Are there any fun alternatives to M&Ms?
Absolutely! You can swap M&Ms for dried raspberries, candy-coated chocolate pieces in other colors, or even small gummy candies for a whimsical twist.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about this Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe that makes it an instant favorite whenever I whip it up. It’s easy, colorful, and filled with a balance of sweetness and crunch that just hits the spot. Give it a try and watch it disappear faster than you can say ‘snack time’!
Print
Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Chex Mix is a delightful, sweet snack mix featuring crispy rice cereal coated in a luscious strawberry-infused white chocolate, then dusted with powdered sugar and freeze-dried strawberry powder for an extra burst of flavor. Perfect for parties, holidays, or a festive treat, it combines the crunch of Chex cereal with the sweetness of white chocolate and vibrant bursts of real strawberry.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups rice Chex cereal
- 12 oz white chocolate chips (or melting wafers)
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- â…” cup red or pink/Valentine M&Ms
- 2 Tbsp red, pink and white sprinkles
Optional Add-ins
- mini pretzels
- crushed Golden Oreos
- mini marshmallows
- additional white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the Cereal: Pour the 6 cups of rice Chex cereal into a large bowl, ensuring enough space for mixing later.
- Process Strawberries: Place the 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries into a food processor and blend until a fine powder forms. Some tiny seeds may remain, which is normal. Alternatively, you can crush them by placing them in a plastic bag and pressing with a heavy object, though this may take longer.
- Melt White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the 12 oz white chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each session. When mostly melted, keep stirring the residual heat to completely melt the chocolate without overheating, which can ruin its texture.
- Mix Strawberry Powder and Chocolate: Stir 2 tablespoons of the powdered freeze-dried strawberries into the melted white chocolate until fully combined, creating a strawberry white chocolate coating.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the strawberry white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in the large bowl. Gently stir to ensure every piece of cereal is evenly coated with the strawberry chocolate.
- Prepare Powdered Coating: In a large ziplock plastic bag, combine the 1 cup powdered sugar with the remaining strawberry powder from step 2. Transfer the coated cereal mixture into this bag, seal tightly, and shake well to evenly coat the cereal pieces with the powdered sugar and strawberry mixture.
- Cool and Add Toppings: Spread the coated Chex mix onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet or back into a bowl to cool completely. Once cooled, mix in the â…” cup red or pink/Valentine M&Ms, 2 tablespoons of red, pink, and white sprinkles, and any optional add-ins you prefer such as mini pretzels or mini marshmallows. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use white chocolate melting wafers as a substitute for white chocolate chips for easier melting.
- The tiny seeds from freeze-dried strawberries won’t fully pulverize but add texture and flavor — this is expected.
- Be careful not to overheat white chocolate to prevent clumping or burning.
- Optional add-ins like mini pretzels or crushed cookies provide a nice salty or crunchy contrast.
- Store the finished mix in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crunchy.
