Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe
If you love quick, no-bake sweets, this Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe is going to be your new “where has this been all my life?” snack—crunchy cereal, rich chocolate peanut butter coating, and a snowy layer of powdered sugar in every handful.
This classic puppy chow recipe (also called muddy buddies) is one of those cozy, big-bowl cereal snack mix desserts that seems to follow you through life—sleepovers, game days, office parties, and holiday snack mix tins. It’s a simple no bake treat that takes about 15 minutes, uses pantry ingredients, and feels like pure childhood in a bowl.
I’ve been making some version of this chocolate cereal snack since my kids were in elementary school. These days they’re grown, but when they come home for the holidays, they still ask, “Mom, are you making muddy buddies?” So yes—this is a kid friendly dessert, but it’s also very much an adult “stand at the counter and sneak a few more pieces” kind of treat.
And while I’ll never claim this is health food, this homemade muddy buddies recipe is a little lighter than some versions (less butter, more cereal for volume), naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free Chex, and wonderfully portion-friendly. A small handful goes a long way… in theory, anyway.
Why You’ll Love This Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe
- No oven needed – This is a true no bake dessert; everything happens on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Ready in about 15 minutes – Quick enough to make right before guests arrive or when a craving hits.
- Perfect for parties and holidays – This sweet party snack looks adorable in bowls, jars, or bags, and it doubles as a holiday snack mix or edible gift.
- Kid friendly and fun to make – Little hands love shaking the bag with the powdered sugar coating (just make sure it’s zipped!).
- Simple pantry ingredients – Cereal, chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar—that’s it.
- Easy to customize – Change the chocolate, swap the nut butter, or toss in candies and pretzels for endless muddy buddies variations.
- Travel-friendly – It holds up well on road trips, in lunch boxes, and on dessert tables.
- Naturally gluten-free – Just use Rice Chex or Corn Chex and double-check your labels.
Ingredients
Here’s exactly what you’ll need for this classic Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe. This makes a generous party-sized batch.
- 9 cups Chex cereal (Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or a mix – I like 5 cups Rice, 4 cups Corn for texture)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 6 oz; Ghirardelli or Guittard melt smoothly)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural “stir” style if you want the smoothest coating; think Jif or Skippy)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick; if using salted butter, skip the extra salt below)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (optional, but it really wakes up the chocolate peanut butter flavor)
- 1½–2 cups powdered sugar, divided (start with 1½ cups; add the last ½ cup if you like a thicker snowy coating)
Ingredient tips:
- Cereal: Stick with square rice or corn cereal for that classic cereal snack mix crunch; the ridges help grab the chocolate coating and powdered sugar layer.
- Chocolate: Semi-sweet gives a nice balance for adults and kids; use milk chocolate for a sweeter muddy buddies recipe or dark chocolate for a deeper flavor.
- Peanut butter: A thicker, processed peanut butter helps the coating cling better; natural peanut butter can separate and make the mix a bit greasy.
- Powdered sugar: Sift it if it’s lumpy. A fine, fluffy sugar gives the most even powdered sugar coating.
Directions
You can melt the chocolate mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop—use whatever feels easiest and least stressful for you.
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Prep your cereal.
Pour the 9 cups of Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl. You want plenty of extra room so you can stir without crushing the cereal. (A big salad bowl or a large soup pot works well.) -
Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter.
Add 1 cup chocolate chips, ½ cup peanut butter, and ¼ cup butter to a microwave-safe bowl.- Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 20–30 second bursts, stirring well between each, until smooth and glossy.
- Or melt gently on the stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Turn off the heat as soon as everything is melted to avoid scorching.
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Add vanilla and salt.
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (if using). The mixture should be thick but pourable and smell like chocolate-peanut-butter heaven. -
Coat the cereal.
Pour the warm chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Use a broad spatula or wooden spoon and gently fold until every piece looks shiny and coated.- Be patient here. It might look like there’s not enough chocolate at first, but keep stirring from the bottom up. You want all that goodness spread evenly.
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Transfer to a bag with powdered sugar.
Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to a large zip-top bag (2-gallon size freezer bags are perfect). Spoon the coated cereal into the bag, then add another ½ cup powdered sugar on top. -
Shake, shake, shake!
Seal the bag well, pressing out extra air. Now shake the bag gently but thoroughly—up and down, side to side—until the cereal is evenly covered in powdered sugar and no shiny chocolate spots peek through.- If parts still look wet, add up to ½ cup more powdered sugar and shake again.
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Cool and set.
Spread the puppy chow muddy buddies in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it cool at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes, or until fully set and dry to the touch. -
Serve or store.
Once cool, transfer to a serving bowl, jars, or snack bags. Pick out a piece (or three) to “taste test”—cook’s privilege—and enjoy!
Servings & Timing
This is a party-style recipe, so you’ll have plenty to share… or not. No judgment from me.
- Yield: About 9 cups (roughly 16–18 snack servings, ½ cup each)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
For a small family night, you can halve the recipe. For a big holiday snack mix bar or football party, this doubles beautifully—just use an extra-large bowl and maybe two bags for the powdered sugar step.
Variations
Once you’ve made this classic Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe, it’s tempting to play. Here are some fun twists:
- Holiday Puppy Chow Mix: Toss in red and green M&M’s, sprinkles, or crushed candy canes for a festive Christmas or winter holiday snack mix.
- Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter instead of peanut butter, and double-check that your chocolate and cereal are nut-free.
- Peanut Butter Cup Style: Mix in mini peanut butter cups or Reese’s Pieces after coating and cooling for an extra peanut butter punch.
- Salty-Sweet Crunch: Add small pretzel twists or sticks and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a sweet party snack with extra crunch.
- Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies: Use white chocolate chips and fold in finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies after cooling.
- Vegan-Friendly: Use dairy-free chocolate chips, plant-based butter, and a vegan-friendly cereal to create a completely dairy-free version.
Storage & Reheating
“Reheating” isn’t really a thing here, but storage matters a lot if you want that perfect crunchy chocolate snack for days.
- Room Temperature: Store puppy chow in an airtight container at room temp for 4–5 days. This keeps the cereal crisp and the powdered sugar coating dry.
- Refrigerator: If your kitchen runs warm or it’s the middle of summer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. Just know it’ll be a bit firmer and slightly cooler to the bite.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in a tightly sealed container or heavy freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Make-ahead tip:
Puppy chow is a fantastic make-ahead easy dessert recipe. Prepare it 1–3 days before a party, keep it in a sealed container away from moisture, and give it a gentle shake before serving to loosen any pieces that clumped.
Notes
A few things I’ve learned over a couple of decades of making this chex mix dessert:
- Coating ratio matters. Too much chocolate peanut butter and it gets heavy and clumpy; too little and the cereal feels bare. This recipe leans toward a “just right” medium coating—plenty of flavor, but still light and snackable.
- Don’t crush the cereal. Stir gently and use a folding motion. If you’re making it with kids (which is half the fun), remind them it’s a stir, not a mash.
- Add-ins after cooling. If you want to add candies, nuts, or pretzels, wait until the muddy buddies are cool and set so the add-ins don’t steal all the powdered sugar.
- Watch your peanut butter choice. Natural peanut butter can separate, leaving oily patches on your cereal snack mix. If you love natural peanut butter, try a “no-stir” version that’s thicker.
- Taste as you go. This seems obvious, but really—taste the chocolate mixture before you pour it on the cereal. You can add a pinch more salt or a few extra chocolate chips while it’s still warm.
You know what? The “imperfect” batches have always disappeared just as fast around here, so don’t stress. This is meant to be fun.
FAQs
Is puppy chow the same as muddy buddies?
Yes—this is the same recipe by two names. “Puppy chow” and “muddy buddies” both refer to this chocolate peanut butter cereal snack with a powdered sugar coating.
Can dogs eat puppy chow?
Absolutely not. Despite the name, this classic puppy chow is a people-only treat; it contains chocolate and sometimes xylitol in peanut butter, both dangerous for dogs.
How do I keep my puppy chow from getting soggy?
Make sure the chocolate peanut butter mixture isn’t piping hot when it hits the cereal and let the mix cool completely before sealing it in a container. Trapped steam is the enemy of crunch.
Can I use a different cereal?
Yes, you can use Crispix, similar square cereals, or even a mix with pretzels or small plain cereal rings, but Chex cereal gives that iconic muddy buddies recipe texture.
Why is my powdered sugar falling off?
If the cereal wasn’t coated evenly or the chocolate layer had already firmed up before you added sugar, it won’t cling as well. Shake while the chocolate is still slightly warm and tacky, and don’t skimp on sugar.
Can I make this without a microwave?
Yes—melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth, then proceed with the recipe.
Can I halve or double the recipe?
Definitely. Halve it for a small family snack, or double for parties. If doubling, split the coated cereal between two bags so you can shake in the powdered sugar more easily.
Can I use Nutella instead of peanut butter?
You can, but the coating will be a bit softer and sweeter. Use about ½ cup Nutella, reduce the chocolate chips to ¾ cup, and chill the finished mix briefly if it seems too soft.
Conclusion
This Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies Recipe is everything I love in a dessert: fast, no-bake, pantry-friendly, and wildly nostalgic. It works as a casual movie-night treat, a cheerful holiday snack mix, or a big-batch sweet party snack that everyone recognizes and reaches for.
Give it a try the next time you need a kid friendly dessert or an easy dessert recipe that doesn’t ask much of you. Then come back and tell me how it went—did you keep it classic, or did you create your own muddy buddies twist? And if you’re craving more chocolate peanut butter ideas, you might enjoy exploring my other no bake treats and cereal snack mixes next.
Puppy Chow Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or a mix (e.g., 5 cups Rice, 4 cups Corn)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips about 6 oz; use a good melting brand
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter not natural “stir” style; use a thick, no-stir type
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter if using salted butter, omit added salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt optional, enhances flavor
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar divided; start with 1 1/2 cups and add more if needed
Instructions
- Pour 9 cups of Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl with plenty of room for gentle stirring. A big salad bowl or large pot works well.9 cups Chex cereal
- Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue heating in 20–30 second bursts at 50% power, stirring well between each, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Alternatively, melt gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, and remove from heat as soon as melted.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Stir in the vanilla extract and fine sea salt (if using) until fully combined. The mixture should be thick but pourable.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Pour the warm chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Using a broad spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold and toss until every piece of cereal looks evenly coated and shiny. Stir from the bottom up to avoid crushing the cereal.9 cups Chex cereal, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to a large zip-top bag (a 2-gallon freezer bag works best). Spoon the coated cereal into the bag, then add another 1/2 cup powdered sugar on top.1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
- Seal the bag well, pressing out excess air. Shake the bag gently but thoroughly—up and down and side to side—until the cereal is evenly coated in powdered sugar and no shiny chocolate spots remain. If pieces still look wet or dark, add up to an additional 1/2 cup powdered sugar and shake again.1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
- Spread the coated puppy chow in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it cool at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, or until fully set and dry to the touch.
- Transfer the cooled muddy buddies to a serving bowl, jars, or individual snack bags. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
