My white trash recipe is festive, nostalgic, and full of sweet and salty flavors! I make it with classics, like Chex, M&Ms, and white chocolate for a fun, no-bake recipe that even my kids can put together.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
My Kids’ Favorite Recipe for White Trash
When I say that this is the best white trash recipe in my children’s humble opinions, I am not exaggerating! Not only do they love snacking on it throughout the holidays, but they love helping me make it.
I remember the first time I told my kids I was making a white trash recipe, and they said, “Ew! I’m not eating trash!” Then they saw me take out the M&Ms and white chocolate chips and they started sneaking into the kitchen.
Now, my daughter asks me to make it all year round, so I change up the M&M colors depending on the holiday. For Christmas, I will use red and green M&Ms, and for random times, I use the typical rainbow-colored ones!
She even helps me pour all of the ingredients into the bowl while, of course, eating extras on the side. I’m starting to think that could be her incentive for helping out, but hey, she’s learning so I will allow it.
And, if you love a good Christmas treat, you will love my recipes for Christmas crack, saltine cracker toffee, peanut butter balls, Christmas marshmallow treats, and buckeyes.
What is White Trash?
White trash candy is an old-fashioned homemade sweet and salty treat made with a mixture of cereals, pretzels, M&Ms, and white chocolate, plus some other extras. It’s called “white trash” because it’s made with inexpensive and easy-to-find ingredients that almost anyone can afford.
We also call it white chocolate trail mix in my house!
Ingredients for White Chocolate Chex Mix
- Original Chex rice cereal
- Kix cereal – I’ve also used Cheerios if my store is out of Kix
- Mini pretzels
- M&Ms
- Peanuts – salted
- White chocolate chips – or wafers
- Coconut oil
How to Make White Trash Recipe
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.
STEP TWO: Combine the cereals, pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms in a large bowl.
STEP THREE: Add the white chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on 50% powder in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one. Repeat for 1.5 minutes, then move onto 15-second intervals if needed until the chocolate is melted.
STEP FOUR: Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until everything is well coated.
STEP FIVE: Spread the candy on the prepared baking sheets in an even layer and let sit for 1-2 hours until hardened. Use your hands to break it apart and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Recipe for White Trash
- Use coconut oil to melt the chocolate chips. I find adding coconut oil helps the chocolate stay smooth and shiny. It can be made without it, but the chocolate can clump and not stay as smooth.
- Melt the chocolate chips slowly and carefully. I’ve overheated them one time and I will never make that mistake again as they become grainy and take on a burnt taste.
- Stir gently when adding the melted chocolate to the dry ingredients. The pretzels and other dry ingredients can break if stirred too quickly.
- Have some patience as it cools and sets. The longer the candy has to set, the crunchier it will be! I try to move it out of site from my kids (and myself) so we’re not tempted.
- Don’t store leftovers in the fridge. I tried doing this to preserve it longer, but the cold air will also cause the cereal to become soft and stale.
Christmas Trash Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Use Chex cereal as the base, then choose any other kinds of cereal. I’ve also used Cheerios, Cap’n Crunch, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Froot Loops, and even Reese’s Puffs. They all work great, but I just
- Fruity cereals add a nice twist of flavor and would add a pop of color to the mix.
- To make this nut-free simply leave the peanuts out. I’ve made the recipe without them and it still tastes great and the pretzels still add the saltiness.
- Dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate with fruit and nuts are a few other chocolate options. I am a huge fan of dark chocolate and it fits this recipe perfectly.
- Add a tablespoon (or two) of peanut butter to the melted chocolate for even more nutty flavor.
- Incorporate some unmelted chocolate chips into the dry ingredients for double the chocolate.
White Trash Recipes FAQs
How Do I Store White Trash?
I store my Christmas white trash recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days. Any longer and the cereals start to taste stale.
Easy White Trash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups Kix cereal
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups M&Ms
- 1.5 cups salted peanuts
- 24 ounces white chocolate chips or wafers
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cereals, pretzels, peanuts and M&M candy.
- In a large microwaveable bowl, add the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds. Do this for one and a half minutes and then go to 15-second intervals if needed. Only go until the chocolate is just melted, so it doesn’t scorch.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients, using a rubber spatula to gently stir, until all the ingredients are coated.
- Spread the ingredients out on the lined baking sheets into an even layer. Allow to sit for 1-2 hours until it is hardened and then break apart and enjoy.
Notes
- Use coconut oil to melt the chocolate chips to help the chocolate stay smooth and shiny.
- Melt the chocolate chips slowly and carefully. They will become grainy and take on a burnt taste if overheated.
- Stir gently when adding the melted chocolate to the dry ingredients. The pretzels and other dry ingredients can break if stirred too quickly
- Have some patience as it cools and sets. The longer the candy has to set, the crunchier it will be!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Cold temperatures can make the cereal taste stale.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
