Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (2024)

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Quick Summary

This is the best Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies) recipe and it’s SO easy to make! Prepare to be totally hooked on this addicting chocolate peanut butter treat. Homemade puppy chow is the perfect party snack and it’s an instant hit during the holidays.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (1)

Puppy chow is one of my all-time favorite party snacks. And I promise I’m not talking about dog food! The puppy chow we’re making today is a delicious and decadent homemade candy loaded with sugary chocolate and peanut butter goodness.

We’re taking Chex cereal, coating it in chocolate and peanut butter, and tossing it in powdered sugar. It’s a bit like dessert Chex Mix, and a whole lot of YUM. I grew up making and eating puppy chow, and it’s always been a staple at our house, especially during the holidays.

Those of you who’ve had puppy chow before already know this is one of the best peanut butter treats of all time! And if you haven’t made it, you are going to LOVE this easy recipe.

Table of Contents

  1. Why is it Called Puppy Chow?
  2. Puppy Chow vs Muddy Buddies
  3. What You’ll Need
  4. How to Make Puppy Chow
  5. Tips and Variation Ideas
  6. Common Questions
  7. How to Store
  8. Can I Freeze It?
  9. Puppy Chow Recipe
Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (2)

Why is it Called Puppy Chow?

This festive dessert is called puppy chow because, well, look at it. Doesn’t it look an awful lot like real puppy kibble? That being said, please don’t feed this recipe to your fur babies. This chocolate-loaded puppy chow is strictly for pet parents only!

Puppy Chow vs Muddy Buddies

There’s sort of an ongoing debate about the name of this chocolate-covered cereal treat. Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies.

Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal. Names like “puppy chow” and others have become layman’s terms for homemade versions like this one.

Depending on the holiday and season, you’ll see recipes for Reindeer Chow at Christmas, Bunny Bait at Easter, and even Leprechaun Bait for St. Patrick’s Day. I grew up calling this recipe puppy chow, so that’s what we are going with today. Whatever you call it, it will always be delicious!

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (3)

What You’ll Need

If you need an easy treat to take to a party, this puppy chow is a hit! The ingredients are simple and I can almost guarantee that the whole batch will be gone by the end of the night.

You’ll need the following ingredients to make a big bowl of puppy chow. Be sure to refer to the recipe card for the full details:

  • Rice Chex Cereal – Chex Cereal is the classic ingredient in puppy chow. You can use Corn Chex cereal, I just prefer the rice cereal flavor. Crispix will also work, the shape of your puppy chow will just be a little different from the photos.
  • Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chips.
  • Peanut Butter –Think JIF or Skippy for this puppy chow recipe! I highly recommend using creamy peanut butter and not natural peanut butter.Natural peanut butter has excess oils and the puppy chow coating won’t set up properly.
  • Butter –I tend to use unsalted butter. However, if you want a little salty kick, salted butter works too.
  • Vanilla Extract –A little vanilla extract goes a long way in terms of flavor!
  • Powdered Sugar – a.k.a. Confectioners’ sugar. Powdered sugar gives the puppy chow the perfect sweet finish, along with its signature sugar-dusted look.

Easy, right? Luckily, these common ingredients are almost always on hand in my pantry. So I can make puppy chow anytime and all of the time, obviously.

How to Make Puppy Chow

Did I mention that puppy chow is a no-bake dessert? That’s just one more reason to love it. Your fingers will be covered with powdered sugar by the end of it and you’ll be buzzing from the smells of peanut butter and chocolate! Not really a bad thing.

Here’s how to whip up a big batch of puppy chow in no time:

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Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (5)
  • Prepare your chocolate and peanut butter mixture. Use a medium, microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter together. Start with 1 minute on high, stir, and heat again in bursts, stirring in between until the mixture is smooth. Lastly, add in the vanilla extract.
  • Place your Chex Cereal in a large bowl. You will need six cups of Rice Chex. A lot of recipes I’ve seen call for nine cups, but a friend once taught me that six is the magic number. It really maximizes the chocolate peanut butter flavor. I’m officially converted!
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Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (7)
  • Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Stir the mixture GENTLY with a spatula, making sure to not crush the cereal. You want it to stay in whole, grabbable pieces! When the cereal is evenly coated, transfer it to a large Ziploc bag.
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Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (9)
  • Add the powdered sugar. You will need 1½ to 2 cups of confectioner’s sugar, depending on how well-coated you like your puppy chow. Make sure to seal the bag before you give it a good shake! Kids love helping with this part. Shake your chow until all of the cereal is evenly coated in white.
  • Pour the puppy chow out onto a big piece of parchment paper. Or wax paper. Spread the puppy chow in a single layer so it can cool without sticking together. Let it sit until the chocolate is completely hardened. To speed up the process, you can also spread it out on a tray and pop it into the refrigerator.
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Tips and Variation Ideas

A few tips for making the best puppy chow, a.k.a. Muddy buddies:

  • Don’t overmix. Not only does overmixing run the risk of crushing the Chex cereal, but you also want to be left with the occasional indulgent clump of chocolate and peanut buttery cereal!
  • Don’t go easy with powdered sugar. In some dessert recipes, less is more. This is not one of those. Make sure you really get everything well-coated in powdered sugar. You may need to add more than you think!
  • Make s’mores puppy chow. If you’re looking to change things up, I have an absolutely amazing recipe for s’mores puppy chow for you to try. It brings Graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chunks of chocolate into the mix, and the results are DELICIOUS.
  • Add coconut. Try chocolate coconut Chex Mix for another variation of puppy chow, made with Chex cereal coated in chocolate and shredded coconut.
Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (11)

Common Questions

Let’s answer a few FAQs about puppy chow:

How long is puppy chow good for?

Stored airtight, homemade puppy chow will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Then again, if yours lasts that long without being devoured, you seriously deserve a medal! See below for more tips on how to properly store your puppy chow.

What if I’m allergic to peanut butter?

For allergy-friendly, peanut butter-free puppy chow, the peanut butter in this recipe can be substituted with another variety of nut or seed butter. Good alternatives are cashew butter, almond butter, soy butter, or sunflower seed butter (like SunButter).

Can I make puppy chow ahead?

Yes! Puppy chow’s long shelf life makes it perfect to make ahead, to have on hand for more than one occasion. I love to make huge batches during the holidays for this reason. Endless on-hand party snacks and gifting, all season long!

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How to Store

Once the puppy chow is cool and hardened, store it in a large airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks. You can also keep puppy chow in the fridge if your kitchen is particularly warm, to prevent the chocolate from sticking.

Puppy chow is also fabulous for gifting. Store it in decorative Christmas tins or bags to give to friends, family, and neighbors for the holidays. I’ve never met anyone who isn’t thrilled to receive a gift of chocolatey homemade candy!

Can I Freeze It?

Yes! Stash a batch of puppy chow in the freezer for easy thawing whenever the occasion calls for it. Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container or freezer bag, and keep it frozen for up to 2 months. Make a huge batch at Halloween, and you’ll be well-stocked until Christmas!

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Desserts

Puppy Chow

Sweet and sugary, homemade Puppy Chow is easy to make and SO addicting. This recipe for chocolate peanut butter-coated Chex cereal is a perfect party snack, especially at the holidays!

4.43 from 454 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 18 servings

Instructions

  • Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir. Put the bowl back into the microwave and heat for an additional 30 seconds or until mixture is smooth when stirred. Add the vanilla extract and stir again.

  • Pour the cereal in a large mixing bowl. Add the chocolate peanut butter mixture and gently stir until cereal is evenly coated. Pour the coated cereal into a large Ziploc bag. Add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is well coated. Spread on parchment paper or waxed paper. Let sit until cool and chocolate is set.

  • Store the puppy chow in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. If it is warm in your kitchen, store the puppy chow in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 112mg, Potassium: 123mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 415IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 3.8mg

Keywords chex puppy chow, how to make puppy chow, muddy buddies

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More Party Food Ideas

  • S’mores Puppy Chow
  • No Bake Cookies
  • Everything Bagel Chex Mix
  • Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chex Mix
  • No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
  • Rolo Pretzels
Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) - Two Peas & Their Pod (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? ›

There's sort of an ongoing debate about the name of this chocolate-covered cereal treat. Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies. Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal.

What came first puppy chow or muddy buddies? ›

In 2002 General Mills developed Muddy Buddies, the same recipe as Puppy Chow. But it can't be said that General Mills invented the recipe since Midwesterners recall seeing it and eating it long before the early 2000s.

What is puppy chow snack made of? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

How do I keep my puppy chow from getting soggy? ›

Why Is My Puppy Chow Soggy? After coating the cereal mixture with powdered sugar, don't rush the process. Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

Why is puppy chow hard to find? ›

Why is there a pet food shortage? If pet food aisles seem sparse, it's likely due to supply chain issues. A familiar issue lately for stores and consumers (especially over the past few years), supply chain issues have affected almost everything you can think of.

Can adults eat puppy chow? ›

Is it Bad for Adult Dogs to Continue Eating Puppy Food? Because puppy foods are formulated to deliver higher amounts of protein and fat, along with other nutrients needed for a puppy's rapid initial growth, feeding puppy food regularly to a healthy adult can cause unwanted weight gain, among other health problems.

What is a nickname for a muddy buddy? ›

Muddy buddies can go by a lot of alternate names; you may have heard them referred to as puppy chow, monkey munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag. They get the crazy names from their appearance, sometimes looking like dog food or animal treats.

Why do they call it puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

Is puppy chow just a Midwest thing? ›

Puppy chow is a party staple in the Midwest, but not everywhere else. Puppy chow — a snack mix made of Chex cereal covered in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar — is often a fixture at parties. People outside of the Midwest have often never heard of it, and they don't know what they're missing.

Does muddy buddies go bad? ›

Allow to cool for a few minutes. Divide coated cereal between the two ziplock bags with powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake to coat the cereal. Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Does Purina make puppy chow? ›

Nourish the now with the expertly formulated nutrition of Purina Puppy Chow. Offered in both dry and wet puppy food, you can ensure your puppy is getting the right levels of all the nutrients he needs to jump start a long and healthy life.

What's in the puppy chow Blizzard? ›

Just like the unique snack, DQ's puppy chow Blizzard is made with peanut butter, chocolate chunks, and real puppy chow pieces blended in its classic soft serve. Sure, a peanut butter and chocolate Blizzard has been done before, but it's the crispy puppy chow pieces swirled throughout that give this treat a twist.

Why are my Muddy Buddies clumpy? ›

Chilling. Just a note that chilling the cereal/peanut butter/chocolate mixture before adding any powdered sugar is critical to making sure you have delicious clumpy, not overly sweet, puppy chow!

Why are my Muddy Buddies soggy? ›

Melted chocolate is hot, and it can turn your puppy chow into a soggy mess if you don't cool it properly. After adding the Rice Chex to the melted chocolate, we're putting the mixture into the freezer or fridge to cool it down right away.

When should you stop feeding puppy chow? ›

A good rule of thumb for transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food is: 9-12 months old for small breeds (under 25 pounds expected adult weight) 10-12 months for medium breeds (25-50 pounds) 12-16 months for large breeds (50-100 pounds)

Why are muddy buddies called puppy chow? ›

Its brown kibble-like appearance harkens back to the chow of the Purina company, and the name wasn't subtle, people called it Puppy Chow, knowing well that the dog food company manufactured that cereal. While party mix was a little more universally known for many decades, Puppy Chow was a neat quirk of the Midwest.

What is another name for puppy chow dessert? ›

Puppy chow (snack)
Alternative namesMonkey Munch, Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Reindeer Chow, Doggy Bag
CourseCandy
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsChocolate, peanut butter, cereal, powdered sugar
Food energy (per serving)20 kcal (84 kJ)
1 more row

What is the difference between puppy chow and regular dog food? ›

According to standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) — which regulates dog food manufacturing — the minimum amount of crude protein in dry puppy food is 22%, compared to 18% for adult diets. Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food.

What is the difference between puppy chow and dog chow? ›

Puppy food does have slightly higher levels of calcium and phosphorous when compared to most adult dog foods. Puppy food also has a higher fat and protein content, meaning there are more calories per bite than the adult version of the same brand.

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