Puppy Chow Recipe

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Puppy Chow, also known as ‘Muddy Buddies’, is a salty, sweet, no bake chocolate and peanut butter snack mix. It is most definitely the most addicting and satisfying peanut butter and chocolate concoction on planet earth. Puppy Chow is basically the snack of the gods. If you’re wanting a snack mix without chocolate or peanut butter you need to try my Cherry Almond Chex Mix. It’s also one that you can polish off in one sitting without even realizing. Yum!

A Note About Puppy Chow Before We Begin

Just six ingredients for this recipe, but I wanted to point out a few things about a few to make sure you get the best tasting results.

• Chex Cereal – use rice and/or corn-based cereal for this treat. I use a combination of both, but feel free to use all corn or all rice. Because Chex cereal is naturally gluten free, so is this Puppy Chow. Yay!
• Chocolate Chips – you can use milk, semi sweet or dark chocolate for this depending on your preference. I use semi sweet.
• Salted Butter – the salt in the butter helps balance all that sugar while the butter itself helps the peanut butter and chocolate mix.
• Vanilla –  this is optional but so strongly suggested. It just adds another layer to all the yumminess.

How to Make Puppy Chow

Believe it or not, this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes and tastes so so good! A no bake treat at its best. For full recipe details and ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Measure Chex

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 Ziploc bag. Pour in coated cereal and top with remaining 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.

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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 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.

• 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.

• Tossing the puppy chow with powdered sugar in a Ziploc 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 never usually have any issues with clumps.

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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 Ziploc 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!

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

I hope Puppy Chow is on your list to make this week. It’s perfect for afternoon snacks, holidays or late night treats for us mamas. Have a great week, friends! 🙂