Looking for a Muddy Buddy recipe (aka Puppy Chow) that’s truly next level? This version has everything—crispy cereal, creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and even a secret ingredient (shh, it’s worth the wait!). With tips for a flawless powdered sugar coating and mess-free prep, this no-bake treat is freezer-friendly and irresistible. Keep reading for the tricks and secrets to make your batch stand out—you won’t want to miss this!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
You’ll love this Muddy Buddy Recipe!
Who knew a snack this easy could be so good? Puppy Chow (a.k.a. Muddy Buddies) is the ultimate quick fix—ready in minutes, loaded with chocolate, peanut butter and that crunch. Messy? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. (Don’t worry, I have tips for managing the powdered sugar chaos!)
- Crowd Pleaser: Kids to adults will be asking for seconds.
- Fun to Make: Let the kids or grandkids be the “shakers” for hands-on fun.
- Great for Gifting: Printable gift tags for homemade goodies.
Secrets to Best Puppy Chow!
- Vanilla Bean Paste: My secret weapon or ingredient in this case! Adds amazing flavor and depth, it’s worth the splurge!
- Melt in Short Bursts: Chocolate will be smooth and even every time.
- Stir While Heating: After every heating, stir well; the residual heat will continue to melt the chocolate, avoiding grainy or seized chocolate.
- Even Coating: Toss cereal thoroughly for crunch in every bite.
- Ziplock Shake: Keeps powdered sugar contained (and your kitchen clean).
- Spread & Store: Dry completely before storing in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for a cold, extra crunchy treat! Like it will last that long 😉 !
This snack is as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re making it with little helpers, gifting it for the holidays, or stashing a batch in the freezer for later, you’ll want to make it again and again. Try it now!
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy Chow, or Muddy Buddies®, is a no-bake snack made with crispy rice or corn cereal (like Chex) coated in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. This treat is not for dogs; it is for humans—crunchy, sweet, and totally addictive!
This classic snack goes by many names, including Monkey Munch, Reindeer Chow, and Christmas Trash, depending on the season or region. The name Puppy Chow likely comes from its resemblance to dog kibble, but don’t let that fool you—this is a fan-favorite for parties, holidays, or anytime snacking!
Muddy Buddies Recipe Ingredients
- Chex® Cereal: Rice or corn Chex provides the perfect crunchy texture and are naturally gluten-free! Or similar cereal.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: I prefer using semi-sweet chocolate chips here. They add just the right amount of sweetness and richness! I also like using quality chocolate chips since there are so few ingredients.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter spreads more evenly, whereas chunky or natural peanut butter is more difficult to stir. I like using organic.
- Butter: Room-temperature butter is easier to mix with melted chocolate!
- Vanilla Bean Paste: You can use vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract. This will add a depth of flavor! And it is my secret weapon!
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar will coat everything beautifully and create the classic puppy chow flavor and look.
- Kosher Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the flavors!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to make Puppy Chow Chex
Step 1 – Prep & Melt the Chocolate Mixture
Measure 10 cups of cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to each of two gallon-size ziplock bags and set aside.
Combine chocolate chips, room-temperature butter, peanut butter, and a pinch of salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on full power in 30-second intervals, stirring well each time until smooth. The mixture will continue melting as you stir, so avoid overheating. You shouldn’t need more than 2 minutes tops, usually about 1 ½ minutes.
Stir in vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
Step 2 – Combine with Cereal
Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir (folding, really. I like this spatula) until evenly coated.
If you want a dry, white-coated look, allow the mixture to cool for 3-4 minutes before adding powdered sugar. Add powdered sugar after a minute or immediately for a more blended or “muddy” look. Add up to ¼ cup of additional powdered sugar until coated to the desired consistency.
Divide the coated cereal evenly between the two prepared ziplock bags. Seal and gently shake to coat.
Step 3 – Cool & Enjoy
Spread the puppy chow onto a lined baking sheet or lay parchment on the countertop. Spread and let it dry completely. Enjoy! To speed it up, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Muddy Buddy Variations
Try one of these or create your own:
- Nutella Lovers: Use Nutella instead of peanut butter for extra chocolate or a combination.
- S’mores Style: Add crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows for a campfire treat.
- White Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for an extra sweet treat.
- Christmas Muddy Buddies: Great for gifts! Use cookie butter in the chocolate mixture and add red and green M&M’s for a holiday touch.
- Cookies & Cream: Add crushed Oreos and white chocolate for crunchy, creamy goodness. If you need a gluten-free treat, be sure to use Gluten-Free Oreos.
- Peanut Butter Cup: Mix in chopped mini Reese’s Cups for double the peanut butter.
- Mint Chocolate: Use crushed mint candies or Andes mints with dark chocolate for a minty twist.
- Cinnamon Roll: Use white chocolate instead of semi-sweet and stir in 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to the mix. Or use Cinnamon Toast Crunch ceral.
- Trail Mix: Add nuts, dried fruit or pretzels for salty sweet.
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How to store this Puppy Chow Snack
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For extra crunch, freeze for up to 2 months and enjoy straight from the freezer!
Muddy Buddy Recipe FAQs
Sogginess typically occurs when the chocolate mixture is too hot when you add the powdered sugar. To prevent this, allow the chocolate-coated cereal to cool for 3-4 minutes before adding the powdered sugar, and always start with fresh, dry cereal!
Puppy Chow becomes stale when exposed to humidity or stored improperly. For best results, store your treats in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you live in a humid climate, storing them in the refrigerator can help maintain freshness longer.
It can become clumpy when the chocolate mixture is too thick or when you add too much powdered sugar at once. To avoid this, work in two batches when coating the cereal, stir thoroughly but gently, and shake well to ensure even distribution. Then, allow it to cool spread out on a baking sheet so it doesn’t stick in large clumps while cooling.
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Recipe for Puppy Chow
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Print Pin RateEquipment
- Unbleached Parchment Paper Baking Liners Sheets
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Chex cereal about 10 cups; use rice, corn, or a combination; or try Crispix cereal
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips use quality chocolate chips for best results
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter I used organic
- ½ cup salted butter room temperature, see Note 3
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar divided
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Measure 10 cups of cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to each of two gallon-size ziplock bags and set aside. (See Note 1)12 ounces Chex cereal, 2 cups powdered sugar
- Combine chocolate chips, room-temperature butter, peanut butter, and a pinch of salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on full power in 30-second intervals, stirring well each time until smooth. The mixture will continue melting as you stir, so avoid overheating. You shouldn’t need more than 2 minutes tops, usually about 1 ½ minutes. (See Note 2 for stovetop instructions)2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, ½ cup salted butter, pinch kosher salt
- Stir in vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.
- If you want a dry, white-coated look, allow the mixture to cool for 3-4 minutes before adding powdered sugar. Or add powdered sugar after just a minute or immediately for a more blended look. Add up to ¼ cup of additional powdered sugar until coated to the desired consistency.
- Divide the coated cereal evenly between the two prepared ziplock bags. Seal and gently shake to coat.
- Pour into even layer on a parchment lined baking sheet to cool completely before storing. To speed up cooling and drying you may pop it in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes.
- Store in airtight baggies or container on counter, see tips below for best results.
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Notes
- If you don’t have large ziplock bags, you can use a large container with a lid or a clean paper bag to shake and coat the mixture. Alternatively, spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle powdered sugar evenly over it with a sifter or fine-mesh sieve.
- Stovetop Melting: In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips, butter, salt, and peanut butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat when only a few chocolate chips remain unmelted to avoid overheating.
- If using unsalted butter, add ⅛ teaspoon salt to the mixture.
Storage Tips
Store completely cooled Puppy Chow in an airtight container or ziplock baggie on the counter for up to 5 days. May be frozen up to 2-3 months. Delicious eaten straight from the freezer! >>>>> Print out my Christmas Muddy Buddy gift tags, Christmas DIY Gift Tags or these Gifts from the Kitchen Gift Tags. <<<<<<Troubleshooting Tips
- Why are my Muddy Buddies soggy? Let the chocolate-coated cereal cool for 3-4 minutes before adding powdered sugar, and always use fresh, dry cereal.
- Why did my Puppy Chow turn stale? Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. In humid climates, refrigerate to keep it fresh.
- Why is my Puppy Chow clumpy? Coat cereal in two batches, stir gently, and shake well. Spread it out to cool evenly and prevent sticking.
Muddy Buddy Variations (See post for more details)
- Nutella Lovers: Swap peanut butter with Nutella for extra chocolatey flavor.
- S’mores Style: Add crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows.
- White Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.
- Christmas Muddy Buddies: Add cookie butter and red/green M&M’s for festive flair.
- Cookies & Cream: Mix in crushed Oreos with white chocolate (use gluten-free Oreos if needed).
- Peanut Butter Cup: Stir in chopped mini Reese’s Cups for double PB fun.
- Mint Chocolate: Use Andes mints or crushed mint candies with dark chocolate.
- Cinnamon Roll: Use white chocolate and add cinnamon or Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
- Trail Mix: Toss in nuts, dried fruit, or pretzels for a salty-sweet combo.
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