We have been fans of Puppy Chow (aka muddy buddies) for as long as we can remember. So, of course, we created a Christmas puppy chow!

The red and green M&Ms make it so fun and festive. We love to make this treat for parties or just to have as a snack. It’s great for making ahead of time and stores SO well (you can even freeze it). It’s an easy recipe to have on hand all December long!

Try even more kid-friendly Christmas treats like Christmas Popcorn, Christmas Snack Mix, and Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn!

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • A breeze. This easy dessert recipe comes together in only 15 minutes!
  • Loved by all. It is definitely kid-friendly but the adults love it too. And it’s easy to double the recipe to make sure you have plenty!
  • Great for parties. This is a great treat for get togethers, movie nights or even for gifting to friends. We love to add it to Christmas tins!

Christmas Puppy Chow Ingredients

  • 8 cups Rice 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. 
  • ½ cup milk semi-sweet chocolate chips – milk chocolate or dark chocolate
  • ½ cup butterscotch chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter – For best results, use regular peanut butter but natural peanut butter, Nutella, seed butter, or nut butter can also be used. 
  • ½ cup unsalted butter – You can also use margarine or dairy-free butter.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup Christmas M&M’s – We used red and green plain M&Ms, but other flavors can be used.
  • optional– add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels

How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow

PREP. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place 8 cups Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Place 2 ½ cups powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.

Chocolate poured over chex cereal in white bowl.

HEAT. In a small pot, melt ½ cup butter, ½ cup peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup chocolate chips, and ½ cup butterscotch chips on LOW heat until smooth and well combined, stirring the entire time.

Powdered sugar poured over Christna puppy chow in white bowl.

COAT. Pour melted mixture over Rice Chex and toss until all the cereal is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into the bag with the powdered sugar and shake until all the cereal is coated.

COOL. Spread in a single layer on the lined baking sheet to cool.

SERVE. Mix with 1 cup of Holiday M&Ms.

    Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

    • Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter low and slow so it stays smooth and doesn’t scorch.
    • For less mess, shake the cereal and powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
    • Make ahead—store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer.
    • Add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels for even more crunch and fun.
    Bowl of Christmas puppy chow.
    4.99 from 55 votes

    Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

    By: Kristyn Merkley
    Christmas puppy chow is a sweet, salty, & festive snack mix loaded with Chex, chocolate, peanut butter, & holiday M&Ms ready in 15 minutes!
    Servings: 8
    Prep: 10 minutes
    Cook: 5 minutes
    Total: 15 minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 8 cups rice chex
    • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
    • ½ cup butterscotch chips
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ½ cup butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 cup Holiday M&Ms, plain or mint flavor

    Instructions 

    • Place Rice Chex in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
    • Scoop 2 cups powdered sugar into a large Ziploc bag.
    • In a small pot, melt butter, peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips on LOW heat until smooth and well combined, stirring the entire time.
    • Pour melted mixture over Rice Chex and mix well until all the cereal is evenly coated.
    • Pour this mixture into the bag of powdered sugar and shake until all the cereal is coated.
    • Spread over wax paper to cool.
    • When ready to serve mix with 1 cup of Holiday M&Ms.
    • Store in airtight containers.
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    Notes

    Recipe Notes:
    • Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter low and slow so it stays smooth and doesn’t scorch.
    • For less mess, shake the cereal and powdered sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
    • Make ahead—store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer.
    • Add holiday sprinkles or mini pretzels for even more crunch and fun.
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week, or store in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. 
    For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

    Nutrition

    Calories: 632kcal, Carbohydrates: 88g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 443mg, Potassium: 148mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 63g, Vitamin A: 940IU, Vitamin C: 6.2mg, Calcium: 153mg, Iron: 9.8mg

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

    Recipe FAQ

    How to store Christmas Puppy Chow?

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.

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    This recipe was originally published December 2014.

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    About Kristyn

    Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

    More About Kristyn

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    4.99 from 55 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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    53 Comments

    1. Anne D says:

      I made this tonight as Christmas gifts for friends. I used red & green holiday peanut butter m&ms. The thought of using mint in a chocolate peanut butter recipe just didn’t compute! I also swapped the butterscotch with white chocolate chips because I couldn’t find my butterscotch chips when I was ready to start. Taste was great! My 7 year old taste-tester heartily approved.

      Reply
    2. Andrea says:

      Does this ship well? Not international, just one coast to the Midwest kind of thing. If I make sure it cools completely obviously. Just gonna bag in a couple cellophane treat bags and then a giant ziplock perhaps? I mean if it’s fine to freeze without getting mushy. I think I’m thinking of stuff with powdered sugar frosting “melting”. I think this is more stable because of the chocolate perhaps.

      Reply
    3. Cassie says:

      Great recipe! I’m wondering if it freezes? And how long will it keep?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yes, you can freeze them. Freeze the prepared muddy buddies in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Then let it thaw in the fridge and eat from there!

        Reply
    4. Amy Brinton says:

      5 stars
      My all time favorite treat made even better with the addition of butterscotch and vanilla!

      Reply
    5. Erin says:

      This will be a Christmas staple!!!

      Reply

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