Puppy Chow {Muddy Buddies}

No matter if you call this sweet snack mix Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies you won’t be able to stop munching on this dangerous combination of chocolate, peanut butter, Chex cereal and powdered sugar! This combination is always a hit for a sweet snack, parties or holiday gifts.

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

Oh, how l loved Puppy Chow growing up! The addictive combo of chocolate and peanut butter coated cereal dusted with powdered sugar was one I couldn’t resist. It’s one of those recipes that just brings up so many memories when I make now for my family. It’s a sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for parties and holidays.

There are lots of versions out there, like my reindeer chow recipe, but it’s this classic version I’m sharing today is the only I really love. It’s just like the version I loved as a kid. We make it a lot during the holidays, but it’s great all year round!

Plus, it only takes 10 minutes to make and it’s so easy that the kids can even make it.

Why is it Puppy Chow?

It’s a funny name, but it’s called Puppy Chow because it resembles dry dog food! I know, it’s weird, but don’t let that freak you out because this is a dangerously delicious snack! Despite its name, it’s definitely not a dog-friendly treat – it’s for people only!

Or is it Muddy Buddies?

I guess it depends on where you’re from! Here in Minnesota, we call it Puppy Chow, but I’ve seen other recipes that are called Muddy Buddies. Both are made with the same ingredients and there really isn’t a difference between the two.

Ingredients Needed

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

• Crispy rice cereal squares – Rice Chex is my go-to cereal for this recipe, but you could use the Corn Chex, too. A lot of people use Crispix if you prefer that.
• Butter – Either salted or unsalted will work. I always use salted butter.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – I always use the Semi-Sweet chocolate chips, but you can use a dark chocolate, milk chocolate or even allergy-friendly options like Sunspire and Enjoy Life Foods.
• Peanut butter – Skip the natural version, this is not the time to be healthy! Mix it up and use Chunky Peanut Butter if you’d like.
• Vanilla extract
• Confectioner’s sugar – Use as little or as much as you want to make it less sweet or sweeter. This is an ingredient that is easily adjustable.

Steps to Prepare

• Pour the cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
• Melt the chocolate with the butter. You can do this on the stove in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the peanut butter and stir until smooth. Or, you can melt the chocolate, peanut butter and butter together in a bowl in the microwave. Microwave it for 1 minute, stir, and then cook it for another 30 seconds or until you can stir it and the mixture is smooth.
• Add the vanilla to the chocolate mixture and stir. Pour the mixture over the cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated. Transfer the coated cereal to a 2-gallon resealable food storage bag. Add the sugar to the bag, seal the bag, and then shake it to coat the cereal evenly with the sugar.
• Spread the sugar-coated cereal in an even layer on a sheet of wax paper to cool. Store it in an airtight container.

Pro Tips!

• Make sure you melt the chocolate slowly. If you try to rush this it will seize.
• Line your measuring cup with saran wrap before measuring the peanut butter. It will slide right out with no messy clean up
• Spread it out in a single layer on the parchment paper so it can cool and not stick together.
• If you’d like to speed up the cooling process stick the pan in the refrigerator.

Storage Tips!

You can store it at room temperature for a few days, but you can also refrigerate it and it will last for up to a week.

Another option is to freeze it! Store it in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. You can leave it out at room temperature to thaw it, but I know people who actually like it straight from the freezer!

It will keep for up to three months in the freezer.

More Snack Recipes!

• This quick and easy Microwave Caramel Corn is always a party please and perfect to make when you are short on time.
• Classic Chex Mix is a favorite treat around the holidays, but great all year around for those parties.
• If you love the peanut butter + chocolate combination these Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzels are to-die over!
• One of those people that can’t get enough of that Ranch flavor? Ranch Snack Mix is calling your name!

Try it and love it? Rate it, please! Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

4.72 from 7 votes

Puppy Chow Recipe

Easy Puppy Chow recipe just like you remember from childhood! This peanut butter and chocolate chex mix recipe is irresistible and so easy!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:2 minutes mins

Cooling time:30 minutes mins

Total:47 minutes mins

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

• Pin

Save RecipeSaved!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

Video

18

Ingredients

• ▢ 9 c. crispy rice cereal squares
• ▢ 1/2 c. peanut butter
• ▢ 1/4 c. butter
• ▢ 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar

Instructions

• In a large bowl add cereal and set aside.

Stove Top Directions

• In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter; add peanut butter and mix until smooth or in a microwavable bowl add chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.
• Stir vanilla extract into chocolate mixture. Pour over cereal in bowl. Stirring until evenly coated. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable food storage plastic bag.
• Add powdered sugar to cereal and gently stir or cover and shake until well coated.
• Spread onto parchment or waxed paper in single layer and let cool until chocolate is set.
• Store in airtight container.

Microwave Directions

• In a medium-sized bowl that's microwave safe combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Place in microwave and heat for 30 seconds, remove and stir. Repeat until all the chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.
• Mix vanilla into melted chocolate in the bowl until combined.
• Pour chocolate over cereal in bowl. Stirring until evenly coated.
• Add powdered sugar to cereal and gently stir or cover and shake until well coated.
• Spread onto parchment or waxed paper in single layer and let cool until chocolate is set.
• Store in airtight container.

Tips

Here's a tip, line your measuring cup with saran wrap before measuring the peanut butter. It will slide right out with no messy clean up

Does Puppy Chow need to be refrigerated?

You can store Puppy Chow at room temperature for a few days, but you can also refrigerate it and it will last for up to a week.

Can you freeze Puppy Chow?

Yes, you can freeze it! Store it in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. You can leave it out at room temperature to thaw it, but I know people who actually like it straight from the freezer!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 624kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 125g (42%), Protein: 14g (28%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Cholesterol: 8mg (3%), Sodium: 730mg (32%), Potassium: 554mg (16%), Fiber: 16g (67%), Sugar: 37g (41%), Vitamin A: 1347IU (27%), Vitamin C: 15mg (18%), Calcium: 264mg (26%), Iron: 37mg (206%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.