Puppy chow is one of my childhood favorite snacks. Made with Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and a powdered sugar coating, these muddy buddies are totally addictive. This easy snack mix recipe is made with just 6 simple ingredients. I love it as an after-school snack or party favor!
It couldn’t be easier to make this easy puppy chow recipe. I coat crunchy rice cereal in a smooth and creamy chocolate peanut butter mixture, then toss it in powdered sugar to create a sweet and craveable snack! These muddy buddies are one of my kids’ favorite treats!
What’s in This Puppy Chow Recipe?
- Rice Chex Cereal: The main base of the puppy chow, providing a crunchy texture and a neutral flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Salted Butter: Melts to coat the cereal, helps to bind the other ingredients, and adds a rich buttery flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Melts along with the butter to create the chocolatey coating that envelops the cereal.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Combines with the melted chocolate to create a smooth, nutty, and slightly salty layer that coats the cereal.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile by adding a subtle vanilla note to the mixture.
- Powdered Sugar: The final coating that clings to the chocolate-covered cereal, giving it a sweet and powdery finish.
Variations on Muddy Buddies
There are so many ways to change up the flavor of this classic puppy chow snack mix. Try some of these fun swaps!
- Cereal: Try swapping out some or all of the rice Chex for corn, chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon, maple brown sugar, or honey nut Chex.
- Chocolate: You can use any kind of chocolate chips that you like, such as milk, dark, or even white chocolate! Or try out a flavored baking chip, like caramel, peanut butter, cream cheese, or mint.
- Peanut Butter: You can swap out the peanut butter for a different nut or seed butter, like almond butter, Nutella, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Mix-Ins: You can add a wide variety of mix-ins to this party mix, like pretzels, colored sprinkles, chopped candy bars, M&Ms, peanuts, or coconut flakes. The possibilities are endless!
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How to Store
Store leftover puppy chow in an airtight container or Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3 months. Enjoy frozen or let thaw on the counter.
Tips for Success
- To make your muddy buddies sweeter and less salty, use unsalted butter instead of salted.
- Honestly, there’s no rule as to how much powdered sugar goes into your puppy chow. While this recipe calls for 1½ cups, you may need more than that as you toss your ingredients in the bag. You really want to make sure you have enough powdered sugar to cover every single piece of this mix, so don’t be afraid to add a little more as you go. The more sugar, the better, right?!
- If your snack mix is soggy, it is likely that it was overcrowded on the baking sheet. You may need to spread it out over two baking sheets to allow it enough space to cool down fully.
Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal 270 grams
- ¼ cup salted butter 57 grams (½ stick)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 170 grams
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter 135 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 1½ cups powdered sugar 170 grams
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 2-Gallon Ziplock Bag
- Baking Sheet
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large bowl.9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- In a saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter and chocolate chips. Stir frequently.¼ cup salted butter, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.½ cup creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal, and gently fold until all cereal is well coated.
- Place the powdered sugar into a 2-gallon Ziplock baggie.1½ cups powdered sugar
- Transfer the coated cereal into the baggie.
- Shake, toss, and turn until all coated cereal is powdered.
- Pour the coated mixture onto a lined baking sheet to cool completely.
Notes
How to Make Puppy Chow Step-by-Step
Melt the Chocolate: Place 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl. In a saucepan set over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of salted butter and 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips. Stir frequently.
Add the Peanut Butter: Add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal, and gently fold until all cereal is well coated.
Fill the Ziplock: Place 1½ cups of powdered sugar into a 2-gallon Ziplock baggie.
Add the Cereal: Transfer the coated cereal into the baggie.
Toss the Cereal: Shake, toss, and turn until all coated cereal is powdered. Pour the coated mixture onto a lined baking sheet to cool completely.
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