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Bowl of puppy chow snack mix coated in powdered sugar

Chocolate-peanut butter Chex cereal coated in powdered sugar

Puppy Chow Snack Mix

Puppy Chow Snack Mix

15 minEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

15 min

Servings

12

9 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Puppy Chow Snack Mix

Chocolate-peanut butter Chex cereal coated in powdered sugar

Crispy Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in a mountain of powdered sugar. The addictive Midwestern snack also known as Muddy Buddies.

10m

Prep Time

5m

Cook Time

15m

Total Time

12

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

DessertSnackVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

June 25, 2024(Updated April 12, 2026)

Puppy chow (or Muddy Buddies) is the ultimate potluck snack—chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar coating every piece of Chex cereal. It disappears faster than anything else on the table.

Why This Recipe Works

Coating the cereal while the chocolate-peanut butter mixture is warm helps it adhere, and shaking in powdered sugar while slightly tacky creates the signature white coating.

Ingredients

  • 9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. 1

    Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

  2. 2

    Stir in vanilla extract.

  3. 3

    Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal in a large bowl. Fold gently until every piece is coated.

  4. 4

    Pour the coated cereal into a large zip-lock bag with powdered sugar. Seal and shake vigorously until evenly coated.

  5. 5

    Spread on parchment paper to cool, then transfer to a serving bowl.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream

  • Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

  • Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

Substitutions

Chex cerealCrispix or any square-shaped cereal

The square shape holds the coating best

Peanut butterAlmond butter, Nutella, or Biscoff spread

Each creates a delicious variation

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

  • Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
  • Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Use a large zip-lock bag for shaking—it coats more evenly than tossing in a bowl.

  • Make sure the cereal is fully coated in chocolate before adding to the powdered sugar.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

Reheating

Serve at room temperature. No heating needed.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (8mg) · 12 servings

Calories220
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein4g
Carbohydrates10g
Fat30g
Fiber140mg
Sugar1g
Sodium18g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called puppy chow?
It resembles dry dog food kibble—the name stuck in the Midwest where the snack originated.
Can I use almond butter?
Yes—any nut or seed butter works. Sunflower butter is a great nut-free alternative.

Explore More

More DessertMore SnackVegetarian RecipesStovetop RecipesNo-Cook Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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