Puppy chow (also known as Muddy Buddies) is a Midwest favorite! Chocolate, peanut butter, chex, and powdered sugar make this the easiest snack ever. You’ll love how easy it is to make this delicious recipe in just a few minutes.
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How long has it been since you’ve had puppy chow? You may have forgotten how addictive this easy snack is.
This treat can be found at just about every Midwest party, potluck, Christmas, and family gathering. There are many ways to change up the flavors, but today we’re talking about the classic version.
What is puppy chow?
Puppy chow is crisp rice or corn cereal coated in a mixture of butter, chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla, then tossed in powdered sugar. The powdered sugar makes it easy to handle and completely addicting!
This recipe is naturally gluten free (just double check your ingredients), and easy to make vegan! Check below for swaps.
Ingredients
- Rice chex
- Chocolate chips
- Peanut butter
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Powdered sugar
How to make puppy chow
- Measure the cereal into a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small microwaveable bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Stir in vanilla. Pour the mixture over the cereal and stir to coat. Pour into a 2 gallon resealable food-storage bag or large plastic tub.
- Add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until the cereal is well coated. Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Top tips
Don’t over stir
Clusters of peanut butter chocolate coated cereal are one of the best things about this recipe, so mix lightly to avoid breaking these up.
How to make vegan puppy chow
For a vegan version, simply swap the butter for a high quality vegan butter and choose vegan chocolate chips and sugar.
How to store puppy chow
Keep this recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can also store it in the refrigerator if you prefer it cold.
Tips for customizing puppy chow
- Add ½ cup nutella with the melted chocolate chips
- Mix in your favorite chopped chocolate candy like M&Ms, Rolos, or Almond Joy
- Add mini marshmallows and Golden Grahams cereal at the end to make a s’mores version
- Swap the peanut butter for sunbutter
- Instead of rice chex, try corn chex, crispix, or your other favorite crispy cereal
FAQ
It’s as obvious as it sounds – this sweet treat is so named because it resembles dog food. Thankfully it tastes very different!
Yes! Chex knows that people love making this treat with their product and have chosen to market it as “muddy buddies.”
I grew up in the Midwest, and we’ve always called it puppy chow. Just be aware that they are two names for the same thing.
More easy dessert recipes
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake
- Scotcheroos
- Seven Layer Bars
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
- Peanut Butter Oat Bars
- Vegan Zucchini Brownies
- Refrigerator Bakery Brownies
- Buttery Bourbon Cherry Cookies
- Whole Wheat Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 9 cups rice chex cereal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Measure the cereal into a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small microwaveable bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter uncovered for 1 minute. Stir. Continue to microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until just melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour the mixture over the cereal and stir to coat. Pour into a 2 gallon resealable food-storage bag.
- Add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag. Shake until the cereal is well coated. Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Heather says
I’ve loved eating this sort of thing in the past. I always knew it as Muddy Buddies.
I’m worried some people may give this to their dogs, since it’s called Puppy Chow, not knowing that chocolate is deadly to dogs. Is there a way you could rename it to prevent that from happening?
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks for your concern Heather. It was always puppy chow where I grew up, and people knew it was not for dogs. Hopefully no one will make that mistake!
Shelley says
Loved loved loved it! I’m usually very picky and add my own twists to things but wouldn’t change it a bit. Well, I did use a little more powdered sugar not that it needed it
Doggie says
Bone appetite doggies!