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There is no better flavor combo than chocolate and peanut butter in this insanely easy to make puppy chow recipe!
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, this puppy chow recipe a delicious treat we love and have made for years!
This recipe is especially great for parties, movie nights and play dates!
Here’s why we love it
- Quick! With a quick prep time, 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.
A Handful of Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 5 minutes
- 9 cups Chex cereal – Use any variety such as Wheat, Honey-nut, Rice Chex, or Corn Chex cereal. Chex mix brands are all gluten-free except the Wheat Chex.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – Milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips will also work. We’ve even tried white chocolate chips and love it!
- 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
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- add-ins (optional) – marshmallows, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, M&M’s, Reese’s pieces, or customize with holiday candy
How to Make Puppy Chow
- PREP. Place 9 cups cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- SAUCE. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the 1 cup chocolate chips, ½ cup peanut butter, and ½ cup butter by combining and cooking these until smooth (stirring frequently). Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- COAT. Pour the melted chocolate over cereal, lightly stirring with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture into a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add 1½ cups powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated.
- SERVE. Spread out on a piece of waxed paper to cool, then serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container to store.
Complete the Meal
- POPCORN MIXES: White Chocolate Popcorn, Churro Popcorn, Homemade Kettle Corn, Caramel Popcorn, Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn
- MORE SNACK MIXES: White Trash Recipe, Original Chex Mix Recipe, Sweet Chex Mix
More collections: Dinner Ideas for Kids, Easy Dessert Recipes for Kids, Charcuterie Board Ideas,
Puppy Chow Recipe
This puppy chow recipe (aka Muddy Buddies) is a quick and easy favorite chocolate and peanut butter treat loved by all.
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
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place 9 cups cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup chocolate chips, ½ cup peanut butter, and ½ cup butter. Cook, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
- Pour into a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add 1½ cups 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.
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.
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Recipe FAQ
Puppy Chow Texture?
- It may be tempting to add more cereal to the peanut butter sauce but don’t, each piece needs an ample amount of coating.
- 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.
How to Store Puppy Chow?
- Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to Freeze?
- Place cooled puppy chow in a freezable container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw before eating.
I remeber making this when I was growing up. It is fun to make with my kids.
I love Puppy Chow! I made some back in August asking with cookies to give to my local veterinary clinic to thank them for that they do for pets. I have to change it up when making it at home because my daughter doesn’t like chocolate or peanut butter.
Yum! Puppy chow is always a good idea!
We love this recipe!
Yummy and easy
These are delicious! Everybody loves them!
A perfect snack, any time of year, but especially at Christmas!
Love puppy chow going to try and make it with white chocolate chips since my son isn’t a fan of dark chocolate hopefully it comes out good wonder if u could use peanut butter chips too!!!!
Easy to make and my kids love it year round!
I haven’t had this in years. Was just talking to someone about it. So excited I found the recipe. Will be making for the holidays.