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If you’re looking for a snack that brings a burst of fun, sweetness, and just the right amount of crunch, this Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine crisp Rice Chex cereal coated in luscious white chocolate flavored with real freeze-dried strawberry powder, dusted with powdered sugar, then studded with Valentine’s-red M&Ms and charming sprinkles. It’s vibrant, festive, and utterly addictive—perfect for parties, snack bowls, or just treating yourself when you need a cheerful pick-me-up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe relies on simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create an extraordinary flavor and texture sensation. Each component plays an important role, adding layers of sweetness, color, and crunchiness that make this mix truly memorable.
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal: The crunchy, light base that soaks up the sweet coating without getting soggy.
- 12 oz white chocolate chips or melting wafers: Adds a creamy, sweet coating that carries the strawberry flavor perfectly.
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries: When ground into powder, this delivers an intense, natural strawberry taste and a lovely pink hue.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Gives a delicate sweetness and helps create that irresistible dusted look.
- â…” cup red or pink/Valentine M&Ms: Adds pops of color and a chocolate crunch that complements the white chocolate beautifully.
- 2 Tbsp red, pink and white sprinkles: For a festive touch that makes this mix look as joyful as it tastes.
- Optional add-ins (mini pretzels, crushed Golden Oreos, mini marshmallows): Customize your mix with salty, crunchy, or melt-in-your-mouth extras for added fun.
How to Make Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Cereal
Start by pouring your 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large, roomy bowl. This is the crunchy canvas you’ll be coating with that irresistible strawberry white chocolate.
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Powder
Place 1 cup of freeze-dried strawberries into a food processor and pulse until they become a fine powder. It’s normal to end up with tiny bits of seeds—don’t sweat it. If you don’t have a food processor, simply place the strawberries in a sturdy plastic bag and crush them with a heavy spoon. This powder packs all the concentrated berry flavor you’ll want!
Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 12 ounces of white chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring each time. When mostly melted, stir gently to finish melting without overheating—white chocolate is delicate and can seize if overcooked.
Step 4: Incorporate Strawberry Flavor
Stir two tablespoons of your freshly made strawberry powder into the melted white chocolate. This pink-hued mix is about to transform your Chex cereal into a deliciously fruity treat.
Step 5: Coat the Cereal
Pour the strawberry white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and carefully fold it in with a spatula or spoon, making sure every piece is coated evenly without crushing the cereal.
Step 6: Add the Powdered Sugar Mix
Combine the remaining strawberry powder with one cup of powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag. Transfer the coated cereal into the bag, seal it, and shake vigorously. This ensures the mix gets a beautiful dusting that adds an extra layer of sweetness and a festive pink tint.
Step 7: Cool and Add Final Touches
Once coated, spread the Chex mix out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or into a large bowl to cool completely. After it’s set, stir in your colorful M&Ms, sprinkles, and any other add-ins you chose to include. Now it’s ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe extra eye-catching, sprinkle a few whole freeze-dried strawberries or small edible rose petals on top. They add a beautiful pop of color and a hint of elegance that’s sure to impress.
Side Dishes
This sweet and crunchy mix pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing drinks like sparkling lemonade or a fruity iced tea. It’s also a fun complement to creamy desserts, such as vanilla yogurt or strawberry ice cream, to keep the flavor theme consistent and delightful.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider presenting your Chex mix in decorative jars or themed treat bags for parties and gift-giving. Layering it in clear containers shows off the vivid colors. You can also serve it alongside popcorn at movie night for a fun sweet-and-salty combo that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe fresh and crunchy by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, it will stay delicious for up to a week—perfect for meal prepping or casual snacking.
Freezing
If you want to extend the shelf life even more, freezing is an option. Place the mix in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty ziplock bag. When thawed at room temperature, it retains its crunch and flavor surprisingly well.
Reheating
This snack is best enjoyed as is, so reheating isn’t necessary. If the mix loses a bit of its crispness after storage, simply spread it on a baking sheet and warm it briefly in a low oven (around 250°F) for 5-7 minutes to freshen the crunch before serving.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried in this recipe?
Fresh strawberries contain too much moisture and won’t create the powdery, concentrated flavor needed here. Freeze-dried strawberries are ideal because they add intense flavor without soggy textures.
What if I don’t have a food processor to make strawberry powder?
You can place the freeze-dried strawberries in a sturdy plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or heavy spoon until finely ground. It takes a little longer, but still works great.
Can I substitute the white chocolate for another type of chocolate?
Absolutely! While white chocolate pairs wonderfully with strawberry, you can try milk or even dark chocolate for a richer twist. Keep in mind this will change the overall taste profile.
Is it okay to add salty mix-ins like pretzels to this recipe?
Yes! Adding mini pretzels or even nuts can create a lovely sweet-and-salty contrast that enhances the flavor experience of this Chex mix.
How long does the Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe take to prepare?
It’s a quick treat—about 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish—so you can whip it up effortlessly whenever a snack craving hits.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the playful sweetness and vibrant colors of this Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe to brighten your day. It’s simple to make, endlessly customizable, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether for special occasions or everyday indulgence. I encourage you to give it a try and watch it disappear fast as everyone digs in for more!
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Print
Strawberry White Chocolate Chex Mix Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Chex Mix is a fun and festive snack perfect for parties or anytime you want a sweet and crunchy treat. Combining crispy rice Chex cereal with luscious strawberry-infused white chocolate, freeze-dried strawberry powder, powdered sugar, and colorful Valentine’s themed M&Ms and sprinkles, this mix offers a delightful burst of fruity sweetness and texture. It’s easy to make in just 17 minutes and serves 12, making it perfect for sharing.
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
- ⅔ cup red or pink Valentine’s M&Ms
- 2 tablespoons red, pink, and white sprinkles
Optional Add-ins
- Mini pretzels
- Crushed Golden Oreos
- Mini marshmallows
- Extra white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the base cereal: Add the 6 cups of rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl, setting the foundation of your Chex mix.
- Make strawberry powder: Place 1 cup of freeze-dried strawberries into a food processor. Pulse until the strawberries break down into a fine powder, noting that some tiny seeds may remain. Alternatively, you can manually crush the freeze-dried strawberries in a plastic bag with a heavy spoon if a food processor is not available.
- Melt the white chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 12 oz of white chocolate chips or melting wafers by heating in 20-second increments. Stir gently between each increment to ensure even melting. When the chocolate is almost melted, continue stirring to completely melt the remaining chunks, avoiding further microwaving to prevent burning.
- Add strawberry powder to the chocolate: Stir 2 tablespoons of the strawberry powder made previously into the melted white chocolate until fully combined and evenly infused with strawberry flavor.
- Coat the cereal: Pour the strawberry white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in the large bowl. Gently stir to thoroughly mix and coat the cereal pieces evenly with the chocolate.
- Coat with powdered sugar and strawberry powder: In a large ziplock bag, combine 1 cup powdered sugar and the remaining strawberry powder from step 2. Transfer the coated cereal mixture into the bag, seal tightly, and shake well to cover every piece in the powdered sugar mixture evenly.
- Cool and add finishing touches: Spread the coated Chex mix out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or transfer it to a bowl to cool completely, allowing the coating to set. Once cooled, add ⅔ cup red or pink Valentine’s M&Ms, 2 tablespoons sprinkles, and any optional add-ins like mini pretzels or mini marshmallows. Toss gently and serve.
Notes
- The freeze-dried strawberries add natural strawberry flavor and vibrant color but contain tiny seeds that won’t fully break down.
- Use melting wafers if you prefer a smoother melting process for white chocolate.
- Shake gently when coating with powdered sugar to avoid breaking the cereal pieces.
- Feel free to customize with add-ins such as crushed cookies or marshmallows for extra texture and flavor.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the Chex mix crisp for up to a week.
