Puppy Chow is a homemade version of the classic snack mix, Muddy Buddies! Made with chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar, it’s an addictive treat that’s a hit at every occasion!
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If this is your first time making Puppy Chow, then you’re in for a treat.
It’s a sweet, crunchy, chocolate, and peanut buttery snack mix that’s not to be confused with dog food, despite the name!
This Puppy Chow recipe has been a favorite of mine since my childhood. My Grandma used to make this along with a batch of Grandma’s Candy Popcorn at Christmas and it brings back so many memories!
It’s an easy no-bake treat is a crowd-pleaser at game nights, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, with a sweet and slightly salty flavor that makes it hard to stop going in for more.
Pack your Puppy Chow into snack-sized ziplock bags for an easy and delicious midday snack, whether you’re at work, school, or on the go!
Try some of my other delicious sharing desserts and snacks, like my Skillet Cookie, Cinnamon Roll Bites, Caramel Popcorn, Oreo Balls, Popcorn Balls, and these Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies!
Ingredients Needed:
- Box of Chex Cereal: for the base of our snack mix, giving it a satisfying crunch.
- Chopped Chocolate: melted chocolate forms the delicious coating for the cereal. You can opt for semisweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips — I love using dark chocolate because it balances out the sweetness!
- Creamy Peanut Butter: to add the creamy texture and rich peanut butter flavor to the mix.
- Salted Butter: melt butter with the chocolate and peanut butter for a smoother mixture. Unsalted butter can also be used with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
- Salt: balances out the sweetness of the chocolate and sugar.
- Powdered Sugar: to coat the chocolate-coated cereal, helping it to not stick together and giving it an extra sweet finish.
How to Make Puppy Chow Chex Mix
This recipe is quick and easy to make. It’s so convenient for a last-minute movie night snack! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
- Make chocolate mixture: Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Melt chocolate mixture: Melt the chocolate mixture in the microwave in intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
- Coat Chex cereal: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and stir it gently to coat.
- Add powdered sugar: Sprinkle powdered sugar on top and stir to mix well. Let it cool and set before serving.
Puppy Chow FAQs
Despite the name, this snack is for humans only! It’s called Puppy Chow because the pieces resemble dog food, but it’s definitely much tastier.
Once the Puppy Chow has cooled and set, transfer it to a large, airtight container or large plastic bag. This will keep it fresh and crunchy and prevent it from going stale. It can be stored at room temperature on the counter or in the cupboard for up to a week.
To prep ahead for the holidays or to just have some on hand for family movie nights, you can freeze your Puppy Chow for a longer shelf life. Once cooled and set, store the mix in airtight containers or plastic bags and put it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply allow it to come to room temperature, and it’s good to go! You can also eat it frozen!
Tips and Notes
- Stir the mixture gently. Stir gently when coating the cereal in the melted chocolate mixture to avoid breaking the cereal apart. It needs to be stirred thoroughly enough to ensure the cereal is evenly coated, though.
- Use a large bowl. Use a very large bowl (possibly larger than you think you may need) when mixing the Puppy Chow to give you plenty of space to stir without spilling it.
- Set it on a tray. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper to allow it to cool and set without clumping together if you prefer.
Puppy Chow Variations
- Use a different chocolate. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate chips can be used according to your preference.
- Try a different kind of cereal. You can use Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, Cinnamon Chex, or even Chocolate Chex according to your preference. Crispix cereal is a good substitute too.
- Add in some extras. You can add candy or some of your other favorite snacks to Puppy Chow to make it into a Puppy Chow Snack Mix! Try mini marshmallows, chopped Peanut Butter Cups, peanut butter chips, Hershey’s Kisses, chocolate chips, mini salted pretzels, honey-roasted peanuts, M&Ms, or Reese’s Pieces for more flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
Puppy Chow is a festive treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. Add in some red and green M&Ms and serve it in decorative bowls during parties, or pack it into small gift bags as a delightful homemade gift!
For a dessert twist, try serving Puppy Chow with a side of milk or sprinkled over my No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Make my Dessert Charcuterie Board and serve it with a bowl of Puppy Chow for extra sweetness!
More Amazing Dessert Recipes To Try
Puppy Chow
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 10 cups Chex Cereal (1 regular box – 395g or 14oz)
- 1¼ cups chopped chocolate (166g)
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Pour Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl Melt the mixture of chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring each time. This prevents burning and ensures a creamy, lump-free mixture.
- Pour chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal. Stir gently with a spatula to evenly coat the cereal.
- Once the cereal is well coated sprinkle powdered sugar on top and stir to mix well. If needed, add a little more until the cereal is completely covered.
- Allow some time for the puppy chow to cool and set, then serve.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions
- You can substitute the salted butter with additional peanut butter.
- If you’d like the recipe to be dairy-free, use dairy-free dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and vegan butter or substitute with peanut butter.
Storage
- Store: Once the Puppy Chow has cooled and set, transfer it to a large airtight container or large plastic bag. This will keep it fresh and crunchy, and keep it from going stale. It can be stored at room temperature on the counter or in the cupboard for up to a week.
- Freeze: To prep ahead for the holidays, or to just have some on hand for family movie nights, you can freeze your Puppy Chow for a longer shelf life. Once cooled and set, store the mix in airtight containers or plastic bags and put in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply allow it to come to room temperature, and it’s good to go!
Nutrition Information
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Jaime McCracken says
I have not had Puppy Chow since I was a kid…I used your recipe this weekend and it did not disappoint!! Easy to fix and so yummy!! Thank you!!!