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This puppy chow recipe (aka Muddy Buddies) is a quick and easy favorite chocolate and peanut butter treat loved by all.

Snack mixes are one of the best party foods, we love to make White Trash, Chex Mix or this puppy chow recipe!

Puppy chow recipe served in a white bowl.


We Love Muddy Buddies!

This recipe is loved by many, but there’s a little bit of controversy surrounding the name of it.

Some people call it “Puppy Chow”, while others call it “Muddy Buddies” or “Muddy Munch”, either way, it’s a delicious treat we love and make often.

Here’s why we love it:

  • Quick! It’s ready in only 15 minutes.
  • Easy. This favorite snack only uses a handful of ingredients.
  • Perfect for so many occasions. This sweet treat is great for any party, movie night, game day snack – you name it! We even like to add holiday M&Ms and make it for holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
Chex cereal prepped in a grey bowl.

A Handful of Ingredients

  • Chex cereal Use any variety such as Wheat, Honey-nut, Rice, or Corn Chex cereal. Chex mix brands are all gluten-free except the Wheat Chex. 
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips Milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips will also work. We’ve even tried white chocolate chips and love it!
  • creamy peanut butter For best results use regular peanut butter but natural peanut butter, Nutella, seed butter, or nut butter can also be used. 
  • unsalted butter You can also use margarine or dairy-free butter.
  • vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar

How to Make Puppy Chow

  1. PREP. Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. SAUCE. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter and cook, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
  3. COAT. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
  4. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated.
  5. COOL + STORE. Spread out on a piece of waxed paper to cool, then serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container to store.

Pro Tip!

Don’t skip spreading out your puppy chow to cool after coating it. This will allow it to set and dry and prevent it from getting soggy.

Powdered sugar covered Chex in a Ziploc bag.

Recipe Tips

Get the perfect chocolate peanut butter mixture with these simple tips!

  • Coating ratio. It may be tempting to add more cereal to the peanut butter sauce but don’t, each piece needs an ample amount of coating.
  • Additions. Add treats like marshmallows, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, M&M’s, Reese’s pieces, or customize with holiday candy.
Puppy chow laid out onto parchment paper.

Storing Tips

  • STORE in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • FREEZE this easy puppy chow recipe for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw before eating.
Homemade Puppy Chow recipe in a bowl close up image.

For More Puppy Chow + MIXES:

5 from 160 votes

Puppy Chow Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This puppy chow recipe (aka Muddy Buddies) is a quick and easy favorite chocolate and peanut butter treat loved by all.
Servings: 20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 9 cups Chex Cereal rice or corn
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups powdered sugar

Instructions 

  • Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter and cook, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
  • Pour into a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated.
  • Spread out on a piece of waxed paper to cool, then serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container to store.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Place in an airtight container and store on the counter for 1–2 weeks.
Variations. You can add a variety of ingredients to this classic treat to make it even better!
  • S’mores: Prepare puppy chow as directed, then mix in 4 cups Golden Grahams and 2 cups mini marshmallows.
  • Cookies and cream: Add about 8 crushed Oreos to the bag along with the powdered sugar.
  • Holiday: Add 1 cup holiday M&M’s or other holiday-colored candies to the mix.
FREEZE this easy puppy chow recipe for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 279kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 211mg, Potassium: 144mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 146IU, Vitamin C: 0.03mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!


About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




95 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Family favorite year round! So easy to make and everyone enjoys. Have experimented with other flavors of Chex mix cereal. Really like Cinnamon Chex Mix.

  2. 5 stars
    This is my daughters favorite sweet treat! It is so easy to make and perfect for sending to her in the mail while she is away at college. Love that it only needs simple ingredients I usually have in my pantry.