This Santa Hat Party Mix Recipe is the perfect treat for your Christmas gathering. Learn how to make adorable edible Santa hats from Bugles and a tasty sweet-and-salty holiday snack mix that’s great for parties or gifting.
Christmas Party Mix Recipe
This Santa Hat Party Mix is a festive, crowd-pleasing snack that always draws compliments when you bring it to a party or package it as a gift. The Santa hats are simple to make—dip Bugles in red melting candy, coat the base in white sprinkles, and add a mini marshmallow on top for the pom-pom. They’re charming and fun to assemble.
The snack mix itself is very quick to prepare. If you prefer visual instructions, step-by-step photos and videos can help, but the written method below is straightforward and easy to follow.
What You’ll Need
- Bugles (Caramel Bugles recommended for sturdiness)
- Red melting disks or red candy melts
- Mini marshmallows
- White sprinkles or nonpareils
How to Make the Santa Hat Bugles
- Melt the red candy melts with 1 tablespoon of shortening to thin the candy. Heat in 30-second intervals on medium power, stirring between intervals, until smooth.
- Dip the narrow end of each Bugle into the melted red candy, covering the larger opening to create the hat shape. Place dipped Bugles on parchment or wax paper to set for about 10 minutes.
- Once the red candy has slightly set, dip the larger end (the brim of the hat) briefly into the white sprinkles so the sprinkles adhere to the candy edge.
- Flip the Bugle and dip the tip into the melted red candy again, then press a mini marshmallow onto the very top to form the pom-pom.
- Let the finished Santa Hat Bugles dry completely on wax or parchment paper.
Sweet and Salty Holiday Snack Mix (optional)
If you want to incorporate the Santa Hat Bugles into a larger holiday mix, try this easy, customizable combination. It’s perfect for serving in a big bowl or packaging in jars as gifts.
- 3 cups mini pretzels
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups holiday-colored M&M’s
- 8 oz white chocolate or white candy melts for drizzling
- Spread all ingredients except the M&M’s and Bugle Santa Hats on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.
- Melt the white chocolate or white candy melts according to package directions and drizzle evenly over the pretzel mixture.
- Toss the mix in a large bowl so the pieces are lightly coated with chocolate.
- Return the coated mix to the baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set fully.
- When the chocolate is set, sprinkle in the M&M’s and gently fold in the Bugle Santa Hats.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or portion into jars for gifting.
Tips and Variations
- Use caramel-coated Bugles if you’re worried about breakage—they’re slightly thicker and hold up better when dipped.
- Substitute colored sprinkles or different candy colors to match your party theme.
- Make the Santa hats a day ahead and store them in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
- Adjust mix ingredients—swap peanuts for almonds or add other cereals to suit dietary needs or preferences.
This festive Santa Hat Party Mix is ideal for holiday entertaining, gift jars, or as a fun addition to game nights. Enjoy making these cute edible hats and sharing a snack that balances sweet and salty flavors.
Happy holidays and happy snacking!