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Puppy Chow, also known as ‘Muddy Buddies’, is a salty, sweet, no bake snack mix. My recipe is most definitely the most addicting and satisfying peanut butter and chocolate concoction ever. I’ve tried several different variations of this recipe and this is one that you can polish off in one sitting without even realizing.
Muddy Buddies | An Easy Snack
Talk about easy, Muddy Buddies come together in about 15 minutes and can be enjoyed right away or stored for up to 2 weeks! Not to mention delicious, chocolate is combined with peanut butter to coat crunchy cereal, then it’s all covered in powdered sugar. What you get is a melt-in-your-mouth sensation mixed with crunchy texture. Seriously make this today if you can!
Main Ingredients Needed
You don’t need a lot to make Muddy Buddies, and the best part is, you probably have all of these ingredients right now! Here’s what you need:
- Chex Cereal – this can either be rice, corn or a mixture of both!
- Chocolate Chips + Butter – the butter helps the chocolate stay loose while the chocolate provides sticky goodness for the powdered sugar to stick to. I use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use anything your heart desires.
- Peanut Butter – for flavor! Use creamy peanut butter for the best results, something like Jif or Skippy would work great.
- Vanilla Extract – this is optional but highly recommended, vanilla is used for flavor.
- Powdered Sugar – this coats each Chex cereal and adds sweetness!
Pro Tips for Making the Best Puppy Chow
- This recipe calls for rice or corn Chex cereal. I’ve tried it with rice and I’ve tried it with corn and truth be told, I loved this recipe best when using both kinds of cereal. Of course, to each her own when it comes to this! Use what you have or can find. 🙂
- Use a large mixing bowl (larger than you think!) for stirring this all together. A large bowl ensures quicker, more thorough mixing and therefore a more evenly coated puppy chow. It’s better to have a bowl too big than too small.
- Use Salted Butter – The salt in the butter helps balance all that sugar while the butter itself helps the peanut butter and chocolate mix together better.
- Vanilla is optional – I didn’t notice a huge difference using it versus not using it, so again, no biggie if you leave it out. Some people swear by using vanilla extract, while others leave it out altogether. It really is a matter of preference.
- Tossing the puppy chow with powdered sugar in a zip top bag is the easiest, mess-free way to get everything coated. I like measuring 1 cup of powdered sugar on the bottom, adding in the cereal and then topping it off with another half cup. Seal with a lot of air inside and shake. After about 45 seconds, everything should be well coated.
- To ensure you don’t get large clumps of cereal stuck together, spread the puppy chow onto a baking sheet right after it’s been coated in powdered sugar to cool (or is it harden?). I usually don’t have any issues with clumps.
How to Make this Puppy Chow Recipe
Believe it or not, this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes and tastes so so good! A chocolate peanut butter goodness that is no bake? Yes please. For full recipe details and ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Measure Chex Cereal
Measure out Rice Chex or Corn Chex (or a combination of both) into a large bowl.
Melt Chocolate, Peanut Butter + Butter Together
In a separate bowl, measure out chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter.
Microwave on high for 30-second intervals, stirring as you go, until it’s completely smooth and melted. Then add in the vanilla and stir. Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal and stir to coat evenly.
Add Powdered Sugar + Chocolate Covered Chex Together + Toss
Add powdered sugar into the bottom of a large zip top bag. Pour in coated cereal and top with remaining powdered sugar. Seal bag closed and shake to coat.
Spread onto Parchment Paper
Spread finished puppy chow onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and separate any large chunks. Sprinkle over any extra powdered sugar as needed.
How to Store Puppy Chow
I have found the easiest and best way to store this recipe is spooning it right back into a large zip top bag. It’s airtight and can fit on any cupboard or shelf. Some people like their puppy chow cold, so it is totally okay to store it in the fridge!
If you’re giving as gifts, cellophane bags tied very tightly with ribbon will work as well. Makes for a great make-ahead gift.
Shelf Life
At room temperature, the puppy chow will last up to 10 days. In the fridge, it should last closer to two weeks. That is if you can stop snacking on it. SO deliciously addicting!
Muddy Buddies FAQ & Recipe Tips
Muddy Buddies are called puppy chow because they have a similar appearance and texture to dog kibble. Some people also refer to it as monkey munch, reindeer chow in addition to muddy buddies.
The reason behind the two most common names for this recipe is that people started making it and called it puppy chow. Later, Chex officially published a recipe on the back of their cereal boxes but called it muddy buddies.
At room temperature, the puppy chow will last up to 10 days. If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it should last closer to two weeks. This means you can make puppy chow ahead in preparation for events you know are coming up.
There are so many ways to make this Puppy Chow recipe your own! Instead of peanut butter, you could swap another nut butter or even sunflower seed butter. You can choose between rice cereal and corn cereal (I like to combine both!). You can use any kind of chocolate chip your heart desires (milk, dark, white, etc.). Use less powdered sugar or more powdered sugar, depending on your preferences. Add anything from M&M’s, mini marshmallows to shredded coconut and crushed nuts or even raisins and dates. Think of this sweet snack as your own personalized trail mix.
Love Puppy Chow? Try These Other Recipes:
- Rainbow Muddy Buddies
- Perfect no bake cookies
- Salted Chocolate & Ritz Nougat No Bake Bars
- Nutter Butter Nutella Icebox Cake
- Homemade Ice Cream Cake
- Scotcharoos
I hope Puppy Chow is on your list to make this week. It’s perfect for Halloween, Christmas and other holidays or late night treats. Enjoy, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal Rice Chex, Corn Chex or a mixture of the two
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy
- 1/4 cup butter salted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar or more to taste
Instructions
- Measure out Chex cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
- Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter using 30-second intervals, stirring in between each one, until completely smooth and melted. Stir in vanilla.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal and stir to coat evenly.
- Measure out 1 cup of powdered sugar into the bottom of a large zip top bag. Pour in coated cereal and top with remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Seal bag closed and shake to coat.
- Spread finished puppy chow onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and separate any large chunks. Sprinkle over any extra powdered sugar as needed. Once cooled and at room temperature, store in airtight containers or bags for up to 10 days at room temperature or 2 weeks in the fridge.
I made this Muddy Buddy Recipe with dark chocolate and crunchy peanut butter, so GOOD!
My friend always makes this at the holidays. We just moved away, so now I can make my own! Yay!
I was just eating the Chex Mix brand muddy buddies and thinking about trying to make homemade ones when I came across your recipe! I can’t wait to try these out, it looks so simple and delicious. Thanks for the inspiration!
Everything you make looks amazing. You are an inspiration 🥰 I been following you for years. I’m a mother of 3 and a full time job.. your recipes never let me down.
Puppy chow is my favorite snack. I make mine with the Chocolate Chex for that extra chocolaty kick. It’s delicious!
Wow, I love puppy Chow and this recipe looks amazing!! I cant wait to try it!! 🙂
My kids love this so recipe!
This would make a good treat bad. Add some M&M’s to it for some color.
My family loves Puppy Chow. We love both the rice and corn cereal, so I use Crispix cereal by Kellogg’s (one side is rice and the other side is corn), so you only have to buy one kind of cereal. Since you reminded me about this recipe, I’m going to make it this weekend for a get together.
I forgot about this snack. Going to make it this weekend.
Looks so yummy Lauren.