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This Puppy Chow recipe (Muddy Buddies) is loaded with extra chocolate and peanut butter for the best clumpy bites. Ready in 15 minutes, no oven needed!
Puppy chow, muddy buddies, whatever your family calls it, it’s one of those treats that disappears the second it hits the table. I’ve been making a version of this since I was a kid, and somewhere along the way I stopped following the back-of-the-box ratio. I wanted every single piece to be one of those clumped-together, extra-coated bites, not just the lucky few at the bottom of the bag. So that’s exactly what this recipe is: more chocolate, more peanut butter, and a whole lot of powdered sugar.
It comes together in about 15 minutes with zero baking, which makes it one of the easiest things I make all year round. My son loves dumping the cereal into the bag and shaking it (very enthusiastically, powdered sugar goes everywhere), so this is a great one to hand off to kids who want to help in the kitchen.
Erin’s Notes
- Ready in 15 minutes — no oven, no stovetop required (though I’ll give you that option too).
- Extra chocolate and peanut butter means more of those clumped, over-coated pieces — the best part.
- Just 6 ingredients, most of which you probably already have in the pantry.
- A perfect make-ahead snack for holiday parties, movie nights, or school treats.
- Easy to hand off to kids — melting, mixing, and shaking are all pretty foolproof.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chex Cereal: I use a 12 oz box of Rice Chex or Corn Chex. Both work well here; I just wouldn’t recommend Wheat Chex since the flavor competes with the chocolate.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet is my go-to. It balances out all that powdered sugar without tasting like a candy bar.
- Peanut Butter: Stick with a creamy, no-stir style like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter tends to be too oily and can keep the coating from setting up properly.
- Butter: This is what helps the chocolate mixture stay glossy and coat the cereal evenly.
- Powdered Sugar: Don’t skimp here — it’s what gives puppy chow its classic snowy look and keeps your fingers clean while you eat it.
- Nut-Free Option: If you’re dealing with a peanut allergy, sunflower seed butter (like SunButter) is a great swap. Cookie butter, like Biscoff, is another fun one to try if you want to switch things up completely.
Puppy Chow (Amped Up)
Ingredients
- 12 ox Rice or Corn Chex
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 Tablespoons butter, cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir and heat for 20 second intervals until smooth. Stir in vanilla.2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 6 Tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour over chex cereal, mixing to coat.12 ox Rice or Corn Chex
- Using a 2 gallon zip top bag (or 2 batches in a 1 gallon size), toss together powdered sugar and chocolate coated cereal.3 cups powdered sugar
- Once well coated, pour onto a baking sheet or wax paper to set up.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Puppy Chow
Microwave Method: Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until completely smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
Stovetop Method: Prefer the stovetop? Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth, then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Low and slow is key here so the chocolate doesn’t seize.
Pour the melted mixture over the Chex cereal in a large bowl, gently folding until every piece is coated. Working in batches, add the coated cereal and powdered sugar to a 2-gallon zip-top bag (or split it between two 1-gallon bags). Seal and shake until every piece is coated in a snowy layer of sugar. Spread the finished puppy chow onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper to cool and set before serving.
Tips For The Best Puppy Chow
- Let the chocolate mixture cool for a minute or two before pouring it over the cereal — this helps prevent soggy or crushed pieces.
- Shake, don’t stir, once the powdered sugar goes in. Stirring with a spoon tends to break up those big clumpy pieces you’re after.
- Spread it out in a single layer to cool completely before storing, so the coating has a chance to set.
- Double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd — this stuff goes fast at parties.
Storage & Freezing
Room Temperature: Store puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if it lasts that long).
Freezer: This recipe freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Let it thaw at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving — it makes a great make-ahead option for the holidays.
The name comes from its resemblance to kibble once it’s coated in the chocolate mixture and powdered sugar. It has nothing to do with actual dog food, and it’s strictly a treat for humans!
No, despite the name, this treat is not safe for dogs. It contains chocolate, which is toxic to pets, so keep it out of paws’ reach.
Rice Chex or Corn Chex both work great. I’d steer clear of Wheat Chex since the flavor is a bit stronger and can overpower the chocolate and peanut butter.
More Puppy Chow Variations
Once you’ve made the classic, it’s fun to mix things up for different seasons and occasions:
- Red Velvet Puppy Chow — perfect for Valentine’s Day
- Grasshopper Muddy Buddies — a fun St. Patrick’s Day twist
- Milky Way Puppy Chow — for when you want a candy bar upgrade
- Lemon Puppy Chow – a bright and fresh version
- Red, White & Blue Muddy Buddies – festive for all your summer holidays
This is just what I need to nosh on whilst I’m glued to the computer for hours on end! 😀
I wish we got those Chex cereals in the UK. I haven’t seen anything similar with corn or rice, only wheat.
This would be something I’d love to munch on whilst watching Christmas TV in front of the fire with my family. 🙂 Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! xoxo
I’d love a big bowl right now!
The stuck together pieces are my favorite too 🙂 I love the idea of using cookie butter in this!
even though puppy chows are a classic holiday treat, i have not still not gotten around to making them but they sure look tasty and cute!
I have always wanted to make these. I agree with you about peanut butter and chocolate…YUM! 🙂
I have never tried these but they sound great 🙂
I’ve never heard of these and would love to try them:)