Santa’s Favorite Snack Mix: Peppermint, Popcorn & Pretzels
Posted by Ola Griffin on Dec 3rd 2025
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn & Pretzel Holiday Mix
A sweet, crunchy Christmas treat that’s perfect for gifting!
There’s something magical about the holidays — twinkling lights, warm kitchen smells, and treats that somehow taste even better when they’re shared. This White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn & Pretzel Mix is one of those holiday gems. It’s easy, ridiculously festive, and the perfect balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and peppermint-cool.
Every year, I love makes a big batch “just to gift,” but let’s be honest… half the bowl mysteriously disappears before packaging even begins. It’s that good!
Whether you’re filling stockings, treating co-workers, surprising neighbors, or adding a little sparkle to holiday dessert tables — this treat is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
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Freshly popped popcorn (air-popped is great) (10 cups)
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Pretzel twists or mini pretzel sticks
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White chocolate chips or vanilla melting wafers
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Peppermint candies or candy canes, crushed
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Holiday M&Ms
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Holiday sprinkles (peppermint, red/green jimmies, or snowflakes!)
Instructions
1. Prep your base
Spread popcorn and pretzels on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Try for an even layer so every bite gets coated with chocolate.
- Extra special: you can dip the pretzels in chocolate
- I used red colored chocolate and then dipped in the crushed peppermint
- If you do chocolate dip the pretzels then add them later to keep that beautiful color.
2. Melt the white chocolate
Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth and glossy.
3. Pour & mix
Drizzle the warm white chocolate over your popcorn/pretzels.
Use a spatula to gently fold everything so it’s evenly coated.
4. Add the festive goodness
While the chocolate is still warm:
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Sprinkle crushed peppermint
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Add holiday M&Ms
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Shower with your favorite Christmas sprinkles
It looks like edible snowfall — and smells like Christmas morning!
5. Let it set & break apart
Allow to cool completely, then break it into snackable clusters.
Perfect for Gifting
This treat looks gorgeous in holiday packaging — especially in PackFreshUSA's Stand Up Pouches for cute single-serve gifting stocking stuffers use the small size Stand Up Pouches. They come in a variety of colors to choose from.
Suggested packaging ideas:
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Medium Stand-Up Pouches → coworker gifts, school treats
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Large Stand-Up Pouches → family-size share bags
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Add a bow or a peppermint-striped ribbon for a professional finish!
Tip: Make extra. You’ll need it. Every batch mysteriously shrinks before it ever reaches the bags.
Why This Treat Works
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Quick to make
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Budget-friendly
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Kid-approved and adult-approved
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Pretty enough for gifting
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Easy to customize (add pretzel rods, freeze-dried marshmallows, crushed Oreos… anything goes!)
Other holiday treat blogs
Chex Mix: The Perfect Holiday Crunch - PackFreshUSA
Spread the Cheer, it's Holiday Caramel Corn Time! - PackFreshUSA
PINK TREATS to support Breast Cancer Awareness - PackFreshUSA (there are 3 different popcorn recipes here)
Closing
The holidays are all about joy — and this treat delivers it in every sweet, crunchy bite. Whether you're gifting it, snacking on it while wrapping presents, or packaging it up in your favorite PackFreshUSA bags for neighbors, it’s sure to spread a little Christmas cheer.
Go ahead… stir up a batch, sprinkle some holiday magic over it, and enjoy every delicious moment.
Happy Holidays,
Ola D Griffin
Long-term Food Storage Expert
Customer Service, Safeguard Brands, Inc. dba PackFreshUSA
YouTuber Pandemic Prepsters - YouTube
Instagram - Ola Dee Griffin (@Preparedness101) • Instagram Photos And Videos
Tiktok - Oladeegriffin (@Oladeegriffin) | TikTok
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