Puppy chow is a classic no-bake treat that’s always popular and so easy to make. After testing multiple variations with different nut butters, mix-ins, and even cookie butter (I highly recommend!), I can confidently say this recipe is both foolproof and incredibly customizable. Whether you keep it traditional or switch things up with your favorite add-ins, my version of Muddy Buddies is a sweet, crunchy snack that disappears fast!
A reader, David, says: “Wow, this was so easy and delicious! Thank you for including a nut-free variation and lots of ways to adapt the recipe.” ★★★★★
Table of Contents
What Is Puppy Chow?
Despite the playful name, puppy chow is a classic treat loved by my kids and friends alike. Also widely known as Muddy Buddies, this homemade snack mix is made by coating crispy Chex cereal in a warm blend of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. It’s then tossed in powdered sugar. The cereal stays crunchy under the creamy coating, while the powdered sugar adds a soft, sweet finish that makes it irresistible. It’s perfect for parties, holidays, movie nights, or gifting!
Puppy Chow Ingredients & Substitutions
These are the main ingredients you need to make homemade puppy chow. You can find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Semisweet chocolate chips — this darker chocolate balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar, but feel free to swap in other types of chocolate (white, milk, dark, or bittersweet) depending on your preference. You can also experiment with flavored bar chocolate (e.g., spicy Mexican chocolate or raspberry dark chocolate) to add another layer of interest. Alternatively, replace some of the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or caramel baking chips.
Creamy peanut butter — make sure you’re using a shelf-stable, no-stir variety like Skippy or Jif. Natural peanut butter tends to separate and will make your puppy chow feel a bit oily or gritty.
Chex cereal — I typically use plain corn or rice Chex, but you’re welcome to branch out to other flavors like wheat, chocolate, cinnamon, or even strawberry-vanilla!
Powdered sugar — this confectioners’ sugar is essential for creating a coating on the snack mix so the pieces don’t harden into one big clump. If you don’t have any on hand, you can easily make your own powdered sugar with white sugar and cornstarch.
Butter and salt — unsalted butter adds some richness to the chocolate mixture and helps it firm up just the right amount, so it isn’t too hard or too soft. Plus, a little salt helps to enhance and balance the flavors.
Can I Make Puppy Chow Without Peanut Butter?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in any other no-stir nut butter variety like almond butter, cashew butter, or pistachio cream. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter instead.
Easy Variations
As I mentioned earlier, there are tons of puppy chow variations to try. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Swap the cereal: Don’t feel locked into using Chex! Try other crunchy cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams, or even corn flakes. You can also replace some of the cereal with fun mix-ins like mini pretzels, salted peanuts, or freeze-dried fruit for extra crunch and flavor.
- Holiday variations: toss in seasonal M&Ms, fold in ½ cup of colorful sprinkles, or finish with a dusting of colorful sanding sugar. It’s an easy way to dress up your puppy chow for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any themed party.
- Cookies and Cream Puppy Chow: swap half of the Chex for chopped Oreos and use melted white chocolate instead of peanut butter for a creamy-dreamy cookies-and-cream twist.
- S’mores Puppy Chow: Mix cinnamon Chex with Golden Grahams, then add mini marshmallows either before or after shaking everything in powdered sugar.
Shake The Powdered Sugar Coating
The easiest way to coat puppy chow in powdered sugar is to pop everything into a big ziplock bag and give it a good shake. If you have a large bowl with a tight, sealable lid, that works just as well. If your batch is on the larger side, work in a few rounds so the cereal has plenty of room to move around the container. This ensures every piece gets evenly coated and perfectly powdery.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
Fold the cereal and chocolate peanut butter mixture gently. You want the cereal pieces to stay whole for easy snacking and maximum crunch!
Adjust the amount of powdered sugar to your liking. You want enough powdered sugar to coat everything so the pieces aren’t sticky, but how much you use is totally up to you. If you like a lighter coating, start with about ½ cup and add more until it looks and feels right. For snowy-white exteriors, just keep going!
How To Make Puppy Chow
Below, I’ve highlighted portions of the recipe in step-by-step process images along with instructions for making muddy buddies. You can find the full set of instructions in the recipe card below.
1. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds on full power, then stir. Continue microwaving in 20-30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring each time, until the chocolate is almost fully melted. (If you prefer the stovetop, you can melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler instead.)
2. Stir in the peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and salt, then let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes. It should be warm, not hot. Aim for cool enough that it won’t make the cereal soggy, but not so cool that it starts to thicken.
4. Add about 6 cups of Chex to a large bowl and pour the chocolate mixture over the top.
5. Add the remaining 2 cups of cereal and gently fold everything together until every piece is coated. If you notice any chocolate pooling at the bottom, sprinkle in a bit more cereal and keep folding.
6. (The bowl method will give you the neatest individual pieces—if you prefer a clumpier mix, hop down a few sections to the FAQs!) Add some powdered sugar to the bowl. Use clean hands to gently toss and separate the pieces, adding sugar as needed, then spread them out on the parchment-lined baking sheet to set. Let the puppy chow sit for 30-45 minutes to allow the chocolate to set, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in a cool spot.
Puppy Chow Recipe
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- Large bowl
- Large sheet tray
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips (270g)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (264g)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 cups Chex cereal plus more if needed (305g)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (360g), plus more if needed
Instructions
Coat the Cereal:
- In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the butter. Cook for 30 seconds at 100% power, the stir to combine. Continue cooking in 20 second increments at 50% power, stirring between each, until the chocolate is mostly melted. Stir in the peanut butter, then mix until smooth. (You can also melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler on the stove if you don’t want to microwave it.)
- Add in the vanilla extract and salt, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. (It should be closer to room temperature than hot, but not cool to the point of thickening back up.)
- Add about 6 cups of Chex to a large bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture on top and then add the remaining 2 cups of cereal. Gently mix together until all the cereal is coated. (Add more cereal if you see unincorporated chocolate.)
Coat in Sugar:
- Bag method: To coat the cereal with the powdered sugar, the easiest way is to use a zip-top plastic bag. Working in batches, add about 1 cup of powdered sugar to the bag, then add one-third of the chocolate-covered cereal. Seal and shake to coat, adding more powdered sugar if needed. Transfer this batch to a parchment-lined sheet tray, spread into a single layer, then repeat with two more batches. This method will make a clumpier puppy chow.
- Bowl method: You can also toss the cereal with the powdered sugar in a large bowl. I love my puppy chow to be all individual pieces instead of clumps so I do it this way in batches. Add some of the powdered sugar to the bowl with about half of the chocolate-coated cereal, then a little more powdered sugar on top. Using clean hands, mix the cereal together then separate into individual pieces and place on the parchment-lined sheet tray. It’s a bit messy but worth it!)
- Let the chocolate set and harden for 30 to 45 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container to store in a cool place.
Notes
- Use a rubber spatula to mix the puppy chow together. This helps you scrape the melted chocolate mixture off the sides of the bowl. It’s also more flexible, which helps prevent crushing the Chex as you stir.
- This recipe can be gluten-free if you use rice or corn Chex! These types of Chex cereal are delicious choices for a gluten-free puppy chow. Check the other ingredient labels to be sure they are also certified gluten-free.
- Puppy chow makes great gifts! Pack up a few scoops in clear treat bags and tie with a ribbon or add it to decorative jars.
Nutrition
How To Store
Store puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent the chocolate from melting or getting tacky. You can also refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. Just make sure to let it sit out for a few minutes before serving so it softens slightly.
I don’t recommend freezing your muddy buddies, as the texture changes and the powdered sugar will dissolve when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your chocolate likely turned lumpy because it overheated or came into contact with moisture. Chocolate scorches easily, and steam or water droplets can cause it to seize and turn grainy. Make sure to heat it gently, stir often, and if you’re using a double-boiler, take care to keep the water and chocolate away from each other.
Chill the mixture in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before adding the powdered sugar so the clusters can form. Using a plastic bag instead of a bowl for coating also helps keep them chunkier.
It sounds like your chocolate mixture was too hot, and the powdered sugar dissolved when coating it. Allow the mix to cool a bit, then add some more powdered sugar.
More Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes To Try
Try my easy 5-ingredient Peanut Butter Bars. These classic no-bake bars are salty and sweet, lightly crisp, and topped with chocolate for a delicious, nostalgic dessert.
My easy Buckeyes are the perfect bite-sized candies for the holiday season. They keep for a while, too, making them an excellent gift or addition to cookie boxes.
My melt-in-your-mouth Peanut Butter Cookies are a fan-favorite. This recipe is simple and bakes up a crispy-edged, chewy-centered cookie that has thousands of 5-star reviews!
When you’re looking to impress without any fuss, my no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is just the thing. It’s made with basic pantry staples and a press-in cookie crust, making it the ideal last-minute dinner party dessert.
For a show-stopping centerpiece, you can’t do better than my decadent Peanut Butter Cheesecake. The beautiful layers of an Oreo crust, creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling, chocolate ganache, and crumbled peanut butter cups will be the talk of the town!
If you’ve tried this Puppy Chow recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Alexis says
So addictive, so delicious…
Amy says
Haha. I’ve never heard of this before, except…I actually know someone who put out real dog chow as a party snack. People LOVED it. Before you say ewww, here is a weirder fact: The pet food companies know that people regularly taste their pet food, so they often make it palatable for humans. Go figure.
A question: Melted chocolate is sticky and messy. How do you separate the pieces to fully coat them in sugar without having surfaces that are clumped full of sugar and other areas that are nearly empty?