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Ready in only 15 minutes, this insanely easy chocolate and peanut butter puppy chow recipe is a no-bake favorite!

Puppy chow recipe served in a white bowl.

Quick and Easy Puppy Chow

Every Friday in our house is movie night, and this puppy chow recipe makes a frequent appearance. The best part? This dessert is ready in 15 minutes, making it a no-bake favorite!

We’ve made it for as long as we can remember (us sisters use to sell it at boutiques when we were younger) and now love to serve it at parties and holiday gatherings.

Whether your family calls it “Puppy Chow,” “Muddy Buddies,” or “Muddy Munch,” this easy dessert recipe for kids is one we ALL love and one we know you’ll LOVE too.

why we love it:

  • Quick. It’s ready in only 15 minutes.
  • Six simple ingredients. This favorite snack only uses a handful of ingredients you most likely have on hand.
  • Perfect for so many occasions. We even like to add holiday M&Ms and make it for holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
Chex cereal prepped in a grey bowl.

Ingredients

  • 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 or milk chocolate, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips
  • ยฝ cup creamy peanut butter For best results use regular peanut butter but natural peanut butter, Nutella, almond butter, seed butter, or another nut butter can also be used. 
  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter or use margarine or dairy-free butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1ยฝ 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

  1. PREP. Place 9 cups cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. SAUCE. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the 1 cup chocolate chips, ยฝ cup peanut butter, and ยฝ cup butter by combining and cooking these until smooth (stirring frequently). Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  3. COAT. Pour the melted chocolate over cereal, lightly stirring with a spatula until evenly coated.
    • Pour melted chocolate mixture into a 2-gallon ziploc bag. Add 1ยฝ cups powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated.
  4. SERVE. Spread out on a piece of waxed paper to cool, then serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container to store.

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5 from 164 votes

Puppy Chow Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Ready in only 15 minutes, this insanely easy chocolate and peanut butter puppy chow recipe is a no-bake favorite!
Servings: 20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

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

Instructions 

  • Place 9 cups cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. 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.ย Place in an airtight container and store on the counter for 1โ€“2 weeks.
Variations.ย You can add a variety of ingredients to this classic treat to make it even better!
  • Sโ€™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 of holiday M&Mโ€™s or other holiday-colored candies to the mix.
Freezeย 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.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

You can 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 freezer-safe container and store it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw before eating.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ 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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5 from 164 votes (82 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




96 Comments

  1. Jayne F says:

    5 stars
    My only wish is that I should have doubled the recipe! My family devoured this. I used white chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips.

  2. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    We love puppy chow and this recipe was complete perfection! Thank you so much for sharing.

  3. Jane says:

    What size Chex mix box?

  4. Amy Griffin says:

    One of our favorite treats! One time, I was out of cereal and still wanted some, so we tried it with popcorn!! Popped a bowl of popcorn and did the same with the ingredients!! WOW! I’ve made it with popcorn for so long, I have almost forgotten you can use cereal!!! And yes, we call it puppy chow!!

  5. Liz says:

    5 stars
    Thank you so much

  6. Jutta Forkel says:

    Why do some of the chex mix ball up. Not all of mine are nice and single pieces

  7. Karena says:

    5 stars
    I have always loved puppy chow and this recipe is amazing! if you need like a snack for sports or dance, this is a great choice!

  8. Britnei Tweedy says:

    5 stars
    Puppie chow was always a favorite treat of mine when I was a child, now I enjoy making it with my own kids.

  9. Nancy Cairns says:

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times, not just at Christmas, but all years. Young and old love the taste. Never lasts long.

  10. MarJean Sieberer says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. Will have to make another batch