Puppy Chow {Muddy Buddies} - The Seasoned Mom (2024)

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Surprise your kids with a fun after school snack, stir together this easy no-bake dessert for your next party or potluck, or share a batch with the neighbors during the holidays, because this easy puppy chow recipe is always a hit! Also known as “muddy buddies,” nobody can resist the salty, sweet, and crunchy combination of chocolate, peanut butter, cereal, and a coating of powdered sugar.

Puppy Chow Chex Mix

Puppy chow (or muddy buddies) is a sweet snack mix made with 5 simple ingredients: Crispix or Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter, and powdered sugar. Unlike the classic savory Chex mix, this version has the added benefit of being a no bake recipe. Just melt the ingredients in the microwave, stir everything together, and shake to coat in the confectioners’ sugar. No need to turn on the oven or spend precious time stirring the mixture so that it doesn’t burn!

This unique treat has a crunchy texture (thanks to the cereal), and a salty-and-sweet flavor profile thanks to the salted peanut butter, salted butter, and sweet chocolate chips. It satisfies every craving! You can also get creative and add other ingredients to the easy puppy chow recipe, such as roasted peanuts, M&M’s, Reese’s pieces, candy corn, or mini candy pumpkins.

Why is it called puppy chow?

I know it’s not very appetizing, but this delicious snack gets its name because it resembles dog food!

Is Muddy Buddies the same as puppy chow?

Yes! Puppy chow is also known as Muddy Buddies, monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, and doggy bag. They’re all silly, fun names for the same delicious treat.

Is puppy chow a Midwestern snack?

This muddy buddies recipe is popular in the Midwest, but the sweet snack mix has also become well-loved throughout the rest of the United States, including the southeast (where we live). One taste and you’ll see why it’s so darn addictive!

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the puppy chow ingredients. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

• Chocolate chips: we prefer the semi-sweet variety.
• Creamy peanut butter: use a processed peanut butter, such as Jif or Skippy brands.
• Salted butter: adds flavor and richness. The salt in the butter also serves as a nice balance to the sweet sugar and chocolate.
• Crispix cereal: we like the flavor and crunch that you get with the Crispix, but General Mills Rice Chex cereal or Corn Chex cereal are also great substitutes.
• Powdered sugar: to coat the mixture.

How to Make Puppy Chow

This recipe for puppy chow couldn’t be easier! There’s no baking required, and no reason to turn on the oven.

1. Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in the microwave in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Pour the Crispix into the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture and stir gently to coat.
3. Place the powdered sugar in a large paper bag.
4. Add the cereal mixture to the powdered sugar, close the bag, and shake gently until all of the cereal is completely coated.
5. Spread the puppy chow on a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely before storing.

See Also

Belcando Puppy GF Poultry à la Volaille pour chiot - ZOOMALIAOWNAT GF JUST JUNIOR (DOG)How to Play With Your Puppy: 9 Steps (with Pictures)Puppies and Kids: Teaching Your Puppy and Children to Get Along

Storage

Properly stored with a seal in an airtight container at room temperature, the puppy chow mix will last for at least 1 week (if you don’t eat it all first!). You can also keep the muddy buddies in the refrigerator if you prefer.

Can you freeze puppy chow?

Yes! Store the puppy chow in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it on the counter at room temperature, or enjoy it straight from the freezer!

Puppy Chow Variations

• Use any variety of chocolate chips that you enjoy. We like semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips will work!
• Add a dash of vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture once it’s melted. This just gives the dessert a little bit more flavor.
• If you don’t have a large paper bag, use a gallon size Ziploc plastic bag to shake the mixture in powdered sugar. You will need to work in batches since you can’t fit all of the cereal in the bag at once.
• Add extra mix-ins like roasted, salted peanuts, mini pretzels, sprinkles, M&M’s candies, Reese’s pieces candies, or candy corn.
• Christmas puppy chow recipe: add red and green sprinkles and red and green M&Ms or other holiday candy for a festive touch.
• For a nut-free version, try this puppy chow recipe with butter, or swap out the nut butters for sunflower seed butter.

Tips for the Best Puppy Chow Recipe

• Use a processed peanut butter, such as Jif or Skippy brands, instead of an all-natural peanut butter.
• Melt the chocolate mixture slowly, in increments, stirring between each. This will ensure that the chocolate doesn’t seize or separate from over-cooking.
• The large paper bag is convenient because you can add all of the mix at once (no need to work in batches). I recommend shaking the bag outside or over the sink, however, since puffs of the powdered sugar may sneak out!
• Spread the sugar-coated mixture on a baking sheet to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

More Snack Mix Recipes to Try

• Homemade Chex Mix
• Easter Muddy Buddies (a nut-free version)
• Christmas Snack Mix
• Sweet Chex Mix
• Crock Pot Bold Chex Mix
• Birthday Cake Muddy Buddies Chex Mix