Puppy Chow is a midwest staple in the snack department, especially around the holidays! Simple ingredients and easy prep work create a delicious, crunchy mix of chocolate and peanut butter that will have your guests barking for more!
Puppy Chow
You can’t have the holidays without puppy chow and that’s a midwestern fact. Chocolate, peanut butter, AND powdered sugar coating a salty, crunchy cereal? Does a snack get any better than that? I don’t think so. Puppy chow (the name brand version has since been deemed Muddy Buddies) got its name because the brand that made the cereal was originally the brand that also made Purina dog food, otherwise known as dog chow. The human equivalent was born and we’ve been pawing our way through bowls of it ever since! I love how easy this recipe is to throw together and just how much it makes because trust me, you’re going to need it! This is a great recipe for parties and get togethers but is also a great alternative to cookies and candy when adding treats to gift bags or handing out to friends and neighbors. I can guarantee as soon as you start adding this to your holiday table, guests will be howling if it runs out!
The holidays are a time for sharing…and snacks! Whether you’re making a big bowl of something sweet or salty for guests, or for yourself (I won’t tell) to indulge in, I’ve got the recipes for you! Check out these quick and easy Crockpot Peanut Clusters perfect for Christmas candy bags, Baked Oyster Crackers for a salty snack to serve up, or this classic Christmas Chex Mix to make everyone feel jolly!
Is there a substitution for the peanut butter?
Absolutely! If you’re making this for a crowd and need to be wary of any peanut allergies that might pop up, you can substitute traditional peanut butter with soy nut butter, tahini, sunflower seed butter, or even chickpea butter. In this day and age there are tons of options for nut free alternatives so you don’t have to miss out on your favorite snacks and recipes!
How To Make Puppy Chow
- Melt. Choose your melting method from the recipe instructions below.
- Toss. Place the Chex cereal in a large bowl (the larger the better to avoid spillage and mess) and pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal. Toss until thoroughly covered.
- Coat. Add in the powdered sugar and toss again until all the cereal is coated. You can add more sugar as needed.
- Serve. Let the puppy chow cool completely before serving and enjoy!
Storing Puppy Chow
One of the best things about a big batch of puppy chow is that it stays fresh in an airtight container on the counter for 10 whole days! Easy access for snacking and great for doling out goody bags to friends, family, teachers, and neighbors.
Ingredients Notes for Puppy Chow
- Chocolate Chips – I used semi sweet chocolate but feel free to use dark, milk, or any combo/variation you like!
- Peanut Butter – We want creamy peanut butter here, not crunchy. Crunchy peanut butter won’t give us a smooth coating for the cereal and adds too much of a weird texture in the end result.
- Butter – I like salted butter for this recipe as it helps balance some of the super sweet.
- Vanilla – For a wintry surprise, throw in a dash of peppermint extract as well!
- Chex Cereal – Classic rice or corn chex is what I typically reach for but you can absolutely mix things up with chocolate, honey nut, cinnamon, etc. Any generic brand works as well!
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar is a must! Granulated sugar will leave a grainy texture, we want that smooth, frosted feel.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 Cup Peanut butter
- 4 Tbsp Salted butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 12 oz Box Chex cereal
- 2 Cups Powdered sugar
Instructions
- If using the microwave add the chocolate, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla to a medium, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir then return to the microwave and repeat until the chocolate is melted.
- If using the stove, add the chocolate, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla to a medium saucepan over low heat then stir the entire time until melted.
- Toss the cereal with the chocolate in a large bowl until covered completely.
- Toss in the powdered sugar, adding more if needed then let it cool before serving.
Notes
This puppy chow can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
