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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 think you’ll 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.

Puppy Chow Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 9 cups Chex cereal – Use any variety such as Rice Chex, Corn Chex cereal or Honey Nut. 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
  • ½ 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. 
  • ½ cup unsalted butter – or 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
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Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter in a grey bowl.
Chocolate melted in a grey bowl.
Chocolate covered Chex cereal in bowl.
Powdered sugar covered Chex in a Ziploc bag.

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, 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.
  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 1½ 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.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Melt it Right. When melting the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, do it low and slow. If you’re using the microwave, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between so it doesn’t burn!
  • Be Gentle. Nobody wants crushed puppy chow! Use a big mixing bowl and stir gently to keep the cereal pieces intact. Or, toss everything in a Ziploc bag and shake it up for an even, mess-free coating!
  • Be Generous with the Powdered Sugar. More is more! Make sure every piece is covered in that sweet, powdery goodness.
  • Let it Cool. Spread your puppy chow out on parchment paper or a baking sheet to cool completely to help keep it crispy and clump-free!
  • Mix it Up. We love adding M&Ms, mini Reese’s cups, sprinkles, or pretzels for a fun twist – so many ways to change it up!
Puppy chow recipe laid out onto parchment paper.
5 from 164 votes

Puppy Chow

By: Lil’ Luna
This quick and easy puppy chow recipe, made with chocolate and peanut butter, is a no-bake favorite—ready in just 15 minutes!
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
  • 1½ 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. 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 of 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.

Recipe FAQ

How to store puppy chow?

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.

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This recipe was first shared in November 2011.

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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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5 from 164 votes (82 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




96 Comments

  1. Celie Roberts says:

    Since this “puppy chow” contains chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, it is for human consumption only.

    Reply
  2. Lynette says:

    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.

    Reply
  3. Donelda says:

    5 stars
    These are a favorite at our house! We have them all year long, not just at Christmas

    Reply
  4. Tiffany Walters says:

    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.

    Reply
  5. Jordan says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I will definitely be trying the s’mores variation next time!

    Reply