An easy-to-make, tail-waggin’ treat!
Puppy chow is one of those iconic American snacks that is known by a few different names: “Muddy Buddies,” “monkey munch,” and “muddy munchies” all refer to the same irresistible sweet treat. Crispy Chex cereal, coated in a delicious chocolate-peanut butter combo, is dusted with powdered sugar. It’s hard to eat just a handful; I grew up loving this snack at classroom parties, sleepovers, and movie nights.
The name “puppy chow” refers to the look of the snack, as it resembles kibble you might feed your dog, but it also has roots in the Chex cereal that’s used. In the early twentieth century, Chex was originally produced by the pet food company Purina—as a cereal for humans, not dogs! However, Purina was known for its dog chow and cat chow, so the name of this snack makes sense that way, too! Purina eventually sold off its foods-for-humans line and stuck to pet food. Today, you can actually buy Chex-brand Muddy Buddies, but the homemade version tastes so much better!
You will love making your own puppy chow/Muddy Buddies from scratch because you can get a nice, thick coating on the Chex, it’s a wonderfully easy no-bake treat, and it yields a lot, making it a budget-friendly recipe. Kids and adults of all ages will love the chocolate-peanut butter flavor and the craveable crunch of this classic snack. Have a peanut butter allergy? Not a problem; sub out the peanut butter with your favorite sunflower seed butter and enjoy.
Pro tips for getting an even coating
While puppy chow is simple to make, there are a few tips that will help you get a nice, even coating of the powdered sugar. First is the container. You want to use a large plastic storage container with a lid or a gallon-sized resealable bag. The next part of this hack is to pour part of the powdered sugar into the container. Then part of the chocolate-coated Chex. Follow with a layer of powdered sugar, the rest of the Chex, and then the rest of the powdered sugar. This kind of layering helps the powdered sugar disperse evenly so you get plenty of powdered sugar on each piece of Chex.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Puppy chow will keep this way for up to 3 days. If you need to store it for longer, refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving suggestions
You can have fun with seasonal variations by adding pink, red, and white M&M candies for Valentine’s Day or red and green ones at the holidays (and rename the snack reindeer chow!). For classroom parties, this is a great idea to make puppy chow festive.
As far as what to serve with puppy chow, serve it alongside other snacks or treats at your next movie night, game night, or party. Complementary snacks include Easy Microwave Caramel Corn, Cheese Popcorn, or your favorite trail mix. Puppy chow also goes well with other sweet treats like Oreo Balls or Peanut Butter Blondies.
Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between bursts, until the mixture is smooth. Mix in the optional vanilla extract.
- Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl. Gradually pour the melted mixture over the cereal while stirring gently until evenly coated. Allow the mixture to cool to near room temperature.
- Add the powdered sugar to the cooled cereal and gently toss until all pieces are lightly covered. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container if not serving immediately.
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