Puppy Chow Recipe

A bowl of puppy chow with chocolate chips scattered around on a marble table.

This easy Puppy Chow recipe is a salty and sweet mix of melted chocolate, peanut butter, crunchy Chex cereal, and powdered sugar. Also known as Muddy Buddies, they’re the perfect nostalgic, no-bake treat everyone loves!

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 537kcal

Author John Kanell

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