With only 5 ingredients, this is hands-down the best Puppy Chow Recipe (or Muddy Buddies). Made and tested by this midwestern girl, we’ve enjoyed this treat more times than I can count. Perfect for a crowd!
Chex Puppy Chow
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
It depends on where you live, but some people call this recipe Muddy Buddies, reindeer chow, or monkey munch in different regions. I grew up calling it Puppy Chow in the Midwest!
Regardless of the name, it’s an addictive sweet treat, for adults and children.
I can’t remember not having puppy chow in my life. My mom made it when we were children, I made it for my children, and now I continue to make it for my grandchildren.
💡Which means this easy recipe has been tested for over 35 years. Let me show you how to make puppy chow, how to store it properly, and how to make some delicious variations!
Puppy Chow Ingredients
You probably already have these ingredients for puppy chow in your pantry. Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar are the four key ingredients.
I add butter to the chocolate mixture to make it richer, don’t skip this!
- Chex Cereal– I use Rice Chex, but any combination or generic equivalent is great. Crispex cereal works wonderful too.
- Chocolate– I recommend using a semi-sweet chocolate to balance the sweetness.
- Peanut Butter- You can substitute other seed butters, nut butters, etc for the peanut butter. You can also use Biscoff, which is nut free too!
- Powdered Sugar– I use more powdered sugar than most recipes. I prefer mine to be completely coated and WHITE. This can often be called confectioner’s sugar at the grocery store.
How to Make Puppy Chow (Step by Step)
This recipe for puppy chow with chex cereal is so easy!
- In a double boiler, or microwave bowl, melt chocolate chips with butter. When melted, mix in peanut butter.
- Measure out the rice Chex cereal into a VERY large bowl. Pour melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the mixture and mix until you coat the cereal evenly.
PRO TIP: You can also add the cereal to a ziploc bag after adding the peanut butter and chocolate. Add the powdered sugar to the bag, zip it closed, and shake!
- Once fully coated, add in any festive touches, if desired. Mini marshmallows, marshmallow bits, and chocolate candies. Add sprinkles for a festive touch of color.
Recipe FAQs (Storage, Make Ahead, and Why It Gets Soggy)
NOT FOR PETS. I need to mention this because if you follow me online, you’ll notice someone always says I’m bad for giving chocolate to dogs. Want a treat for your dogs? Make my homemade dog ice cream!
Puppy Chow stays fresh for up to one week when stored at room temperature in an airtight container or ziploc gallon bag.
Because puppy chow, muddy buddies, stays fresh for up to a week, you can make this ahead of time.
Store puppy chow in the freezer in a ziploc freezer gallon bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in bag on the counter overnight, or for several hours. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
Adding the puppy chow to a container before the chocolate has cooled adds moisture from steam to the bag. Allowing your puppy chow to cool completely after adding powdered sugar ensures that you won’t be trapping moisture.
Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies) Variations
Reindeer Chow. Uses Andes Mints and candy canes!
Thin Mint Puppy Chow. No Girl Scout cookies needed for this recipe!
Snickerdoodle puppy chow is a cinnamon sugar treat I know you’ll love!
Hot Cocoa Puppy Chow– these hot cocoa muddy buddies are chocolate and mini marshmallow treats.
Is Puppy Chow Gluten Free?
Chex is naturally gluten-free. Be sure to use gluten free chocolate chips as a safe swap. No need for other swaps for gluten-free muddy buddies!
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- An ooey gooey dessert like these Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect chewy treat!
- These creamy dreamy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are a great twist on the classic!
- No Bake Cookies are too easy NOT to make! Get your kids to help you make these!
- Make a batch of some yummy Avalanche Cookies for you and your family to enjoy this week!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs are fun, festive, and delicious! Your kids will love to help, eat them!
- Make this cute Easter version Bunny Chow for a cute holiday party table snack!
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Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a double boiler, or microwave, melt chocolate chips with butter. When melted, stir in peanut butter until combined.
- Measure out the rice Chex cereal into a large bowl. Pour melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and mix until combined and cereal is coated evenly.
- Allow to set, about one hour, before adding to a container.
Notes
- You can also add the cereal to a ziploc bag after adding the chocolate. Add the powdered sugar to the bag, zip closed, and shake!
- Store in airtight container for up to one week.
- For a spring/ Easter version, add 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup marshmallow bits, and 1 cup pastel colored chocolate candies.
- Can I use a different cereal? Absolutely! Crispex, Golden Grahams and Cinnamon Toast Crunch all work great. Chex is unique though in it's ability to "house" the chocolate filling inside!
- What kind of chocolate is best? We love using semi-sweet chocolate, but milk and dark chocolate work great too! Use a quality brand for best results. And always buy fresh!
Video
Nutrition
Everyone loves easy desserts. Whip up some fancy Chocolate Dipped Oreos in minutes. Or dunk your grahams and make these delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Graham Crackers!
Aimee, I love puppy chow but I’ve never really known how to do it and I am excited to make this sound so easy my question is I’m always requesting recipes from you and I never ever received them can you tell me why you got so many delicious recipes I end up texting myself but I’m good at losing my text LOL so if you could help me with this I would sure appreciate it thank you so much God bless you 🙏
Hi Tina, not sure what you mean by requesting recipes? Have you signed up for my newsletter? It’s a great way to get my recipes via email.
Does this Puppy Chow recipe freeze in order to make ahead? If not, are there any ways to store? Thank you-can’t wait to try this!!
I would not freeze this snack. Store in airtight container or ziploc bag.
1/4 C. serving size? Even Chex gives you a 1/2 C. Which is still ridiculous. I challenge anyone to eat less than a cup!