Quick white trash recipe with M&M’s, pretzels, peanuts, Cheerios, Chex cereal, and white almond bark. No baking. Just melt, mix, snack.
I’ll be real with you—I grew up thinking everyone knew what white trash mix was. It was just one of those things that showed up at holidays, baby showers, long car rides, and yeah… even funerals. Always in a recycled Cool Whip tub or a Ziploc bag that had seen better days. No one talked about it like it was a recipe—it just existed. And when it was around, you didn’t question it. You grabbed a handful and hoped no one saw how many M&M’s you picked out. (Don’t lie—you did it too.)
I remember my aunt—Aunt Deb, loud earrings, even louder voice—always made it for Christmas Eve. Her kitchen smelled like white chocolate and burnt popcorn (long story), and she’d shove a plastic bag of this stuff into your coat pocket on your way out like it was currency. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that it was basically just pantry chaos held together by melted almond bark. But you know what? It works.
Why You’ll Love This White Trash Recipe?
Look, I’m not here to lie to you. This white trash recipe is not healthy. It’s not gourmet. It’s not even all that pretty, if we’re being honest. But it hits that magical place in your brain that’s like “YES, EXACTLY THIS.” You know that combo of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy that somehow makes you keep snacking even when you meant to just taste it? Yeah. That’s this mix.
It’s quick—10 minutes, tops. It’s flexible—use what you have. And it’s the kind of recipe that makes people ask for it every single time you bring it to something. Which is equal parts flattering and annoying if I’m being totally honest.
Ingredient Notes:
You’re not gonna need a trip to a fancy grocery store for this one. In fact, if you’re like me, you probably already have most of this stuff shoved behind cereal boxes or hiding in your pantry.
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Rice Chex: The crunchy base. I’ve tried Corn Chex in a pinch. Still good.
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Cheerios: Regular ones. They add this nice little mellow crunch that balances the sweet.
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Mini Pretzels: The salty bite you didn’t know you needed until it’s missing.
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M&M’s: Obviously. And yes, I do pick through the batch for the red ones like a 10-year-old.
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Peanuts: Salted? Great. Unsalted? Also fine. Allergic? Leave ‘em out.
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White Almond Bark: Don’t let the name fool you—it has nothing to do with almonds and everything to do with being the easiest melting chocolate ever.
Some people throw in marshmallows or drizzle more chocolate on top. I don’t. But hey, it’s your snack.
How To Make White Trash?
You don’t need to be a chef for this. You barely need to be awake. I’ve made this while half-asleep before a bake sale. I’ve made it in a cabin with no electricity (thank you, gas stove). If you can stir, you can make this. Here’s how:
Step 1: Grab a huge mixing bowl. I mean it. Bigger than you think. Dump in the Chex, Cheerios, mini pretzels, M&M’s, and peanuts. Mix it up like you’re tossing confetti. Don’t be gentle. This isn’t the time.
Step 2: Break the almond bark into chunks and put it in a saucepan. Low heat only. No shortcuts here. Stir it constantly—like, don’t walk away to check your texts. Burned almond bark smells like sadness.
Step 3: Pour that dreamy melted white chocolate all over the mix. Then stir. Quickly. The bark sets faster than you think. Don’t worry about coating every single piece perfectly. Imperfect is the vibe.
Step 4: Spread it all out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Or two. Depends on how aggressive you were with your scoop sizes. Let it sit for about 30 minutes until it’s dry to the touch.
Step 5: Break it into chunks. Store it. Or eat it standing at the counter with the fridge door open. I won’t judge.
Storage Options:
Technically, this stuff keeps for about a week in an airtight container. In reality? It’s lucky to last 48 hours around here. I’ve hidden bags of it behind the flour to keep it safe from snacky hands and still found the container mysteriously empty. It’s snack magic, I swear.
If you’re gifting it, toss it in cute jars or treat bags. Or don’t. It’s also great eaten out of a crumpled paper towel while hiding from your kids.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Variations and Substitutions:
This white trash snack is low-pressure, high-reward. Seriously—feel free to wing it a little. That’s half the fun.
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No Rice Chex? Use Corn Chex, Crispix, or even Golden Grahams for a totally different (but still amazing) vibe.
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Peanut allergy? Skip ’em. Add sunflower seeds or just more pretzels.
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Want more chocolate? Add mini chocolate chips after it cools or swirl some milk chocolate on top.
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Make it festive: Swap in holiday M&M colors or themed sprinkles.
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No almond bark? Use white chocolate chips, but add a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to help them melt better.
What to Serve with White Trash?
Listen, this white trash mix doesn’t need a reason. But if you’re looking for one…
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Movie night: Just add popcorn and fuzzy blankets.
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Road trips: Pack it in snack bags for the car. No mess. Tons of crunch.
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Parties or potlucks: It disappears faster than the cheese dip. Trust.
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Holiday treat bags: Instant nostalgia in every bite.
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Ice cream topping: It’s chaotic but delightful. Try it once and you’ll understand.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yep. In fact, it’s better if you do. It gives the chocolate time to fully set and the flavors to hang out and become besties.
Is white almond bark the same as white chocolate?
Sort of? It’s not as fancy or creamy, but it melts easier and works perfectly here. That said, white chocolate will work—just go slow and don’t let it scorch.
Do I really need a recipe for this?
Not really. It’s more of a loose vibe than a strict formula. But it helps to have a base the first time, especially if you tend to pour like me—chaotically and with little regard for “exact measurements.”
And there you have it. My chaotic, delicious, nostalgia-soaked white trash recipe that somehow manages to be a hit every single time—even when I mess it up a little. Which I do. Often.
If you make this, let me know what you added (or left out). I’d love to hear if you made a peppermint holiday version or went rogue with peanut butter chips. Let’s trade notes, snack-lover to snack-lover.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
White Trash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups plain Cheerios
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups M&M’s
- 1 to 2 cups peanuts salted or unsalted
- 1 24-ounce package white almond bark
Instructions
Prepare the snack mix base
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Cheerios, mini pretzels, M&M’s, and peanuts. Stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the mix.
Melt the almond bark
- Break the white almond bark into smaller pieces and place them in a medium-sized saucepan. Set the pan over low heat and stir continuously until the bark has fully melted and the mixture is smooth and pourable. Avoid high heat to prevent scorching.
Combine and coat the mix
- Immediately pour the melted almond bark over the snack mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to fold the mixture carefully, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated with the melted bark.
Cool and set
- Spread the coated snack mix evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, or until fully set.
Break apart and serve
- Once the coating has hardened, gently break the mixture into bite-sized clusters. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
