Name: White Trash Chex Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal; 3 cups Rice Chex; 3 cups Corn Chex; 16 ounces Mu0026amp;M’s plain chocolate candy; 2/12 cups salted mixed nuts; 2 cups small pretzels; 2-3 (11-ounce) packages of white chocolate chips or melting wafers

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White trash is a sweet and salty snack that’ll send your tastebuds straight to heaven. It’s full of Chex mix, nuts, pretzels, and M&M candies for a delicious combination.

Contrary to its name, white trash is actually a treasure.

Sweet and Salty White Trash in a Small Jar

There’s nothing I love more than the sweet and salty flavor profile. There’s just something irresistible about it.

Each piece of this mix is tossed in silky white chocolate. It provides a sweet, smooth coating that melts in your mouth.

It’s covered in white and has a festive look, making it perfect for the holidays. Stick to red and green M&M’s to add even more Christmas cheer.

White Trash

This chocolate-covered treat is perfect for any occasion. What’s not to love?

It’s ridiculously addictive (don’t tell me I didn’t warn you) and super easy to make. There’s no cooking needed (save for melting chocolate), and it takes less than 10 minutes.

It’s easy to customize, too! Plus, if you package it nicely, it’s a wonderful holiday gift for family and friends.

What Is Trash Candy?

Trash candy is a mix of crunchy things covered in white chocolate.

The ingredients can be anything from breakfast cereals to marshmallows to nuts. The goal is to dump together sweet and salty treats to make a delicious combination of flavors.

For this white trash recipe, you need Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, nuts, M&M’s, and white chocolate for the coating. Feel free to make it your own, though.

White Trash Ingredients: Cheerios and Chex, M & M's, White Chocolate, Salted Mixed Nuts and Pretzels

What is White Trash Made Of?

Cheerios and Chex – The cereals that make up the base of the mix.
M&M’s – They liven up the mix with their fun colors.
Salted Mixed Nuts and Pretzels – The salty components contrast the sweet chocolate.
White Chocolate – The sweet coating that binds all the ingredients together. Using white chocolate gives the mix a festive feel.

How Do You Melt White Chocolate Chips?

Dark chocolate has a melting point of 115 degrees Fahrenheit. But white chocolate can’t handle temperatures higher than 110.

Because white chocolate has a lower melting point than other chocolate, working with it can be challenging.

I’ve had my fair share of seized white chocolate, which results from overheating. This gritty, grainy chocolate is almost impossible to fix.

But don’t worry, as long as you follow these tips, melting chocolate will go smoothly.

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You can use the microwave or the double boiler when melting white chocolate. Whichever method you choose, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Melt the chocolate over low heat. In the microwave, this translates to 50% power. This will lower the risk of scorching the chocolate.
Add some fat. I like to use either coconut oil, vegetable oil, or butter here. The fat will add moisture to the chocolate, keeping it from burning.

White Trash Snack Party Mix in a Small Jar

Microwave Method:

Melt the chocolate at 50% power in 30-second increments. Stir vigorously in between each round.

Double Boiler Method:

1. Fill the pot with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water. Be sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the top bowl

2. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Add the chocolate to the top bowl and stir it gently until it’s smooth and melted.

Tips for Making the Best Snack

White trash is a super easy snack to make, but check out these tips for guaranteed success.

Prevent stickiness. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper before you begin. The melted white chocolate will firm up fast. Work quickly, or the white trash will set in the bowl.
Go big with the bowl. The bowl has to be big enough to fit all the ingredients and then some. There must be enough room to toss all the mix in chocolate.
Stick to good-quality chocolate. It’s smooth, glossy, and silky when melted. Low-grade chocolate won’t melt properly and is prone to seizing. I always use Ghirardelli, Lindt, or Belcolade when making snack mixes.
Ditch the white chocolate. As I’ve said, white chocolate is tricky to melt. If you don’t want to go through the trouble, you can use almond bark instead. While this confection isn’t made of real chocolate, it has similar properties, making it a great alternative. More importantly, it’s a lot less tricky to melt.
Wait to add the M&M’s until the very end. The hot, melted chocolate will cause the M&M’s coating to melt, and it won’t be pretty. Coat the cereal and nuts first, then add the M&M’s.

Homemade White Trash Snack Party Mix in a Baking Tray

Add-ins and Variations

Try these variations to make this mix your own!

Mix and match the Chex cereal. Try wheat, honey nut, chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, you name it!
Get cheery! Cheerios have different variants too, such as chocolate, honey nut, toasted coconut, and chocolate. Go ahead and experiment.
Give other cereal a whirl. Try Cap’n Crunch, Fruit Loops, or Cocoa Puffs. The sky’s the limit.
Have fun with themes. Use different-colored M&M’s to adhere to a theme. Use pink and red for Valentine’s Day, red and green for Christmas, orange for Halloween, you get the idea.
Experiment with other candies. It also doesn’t have to use just M&M’s. You can try any of your favorite chocolate-coated candies, like Reese’s Pieces or Smarties.
Give it a dark twist. White trash calls for white chocolate. But you can also use dark or semi-sweet to make classic puppy chow.
Sweeten it up even more. Make it more chocolatey with chocolate morsels or chips. Try caramel, butterscotch, and toffee bits, too.
Give it an island vibe. Give it a tropical twist with toasted coconut flakes.
Add some softness. How about something soft and pillowy to contrast the crunchy? You can’t go wrong with mini marshmallows.
Get fruity with it. Add a chewy textural contrast by mixing in dried fruit, such as craisins, apricots, and cherries.

Storage Instructions

You can store white trash either at room temperature or in the fridge. Placing it in an air-tight container is crucial to prevent it from being exposed to moisture.

White trash will keep well for 4 days at room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Want a longer shelf-life? Pop white trash in the freezer for up to 3 months. However, expect the pretzels to go stale over time.

Serving Suggestions

Snack on it, serve it at a party, or place it in festive bags or jars as gifts.

If you’re serving it to a crowd, don’t just put all of it in one bowl. Instead, place the mix in muffin liners or disposable cups to make individual servings.

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