Peanut butter muddy buddies made with Chex cereal is here. Great dessert for a party with lots of mix ins for every holiday. If you’ve never made what some people call “puppy chow”, watch our video below and get started!
Have you ever made this fun treat? It is a great peanut butter snack that can be made into gifts or served at a party. This one was made with Lucky Charms marshmallows but you can add sprinkles or leave them “plain”. (affiliate links present)
What are Muddy Buddies?
Also known as Puppy Chow, it is a sweet, Chex mix dessert with cereal coated in melted chocolate, peanut butter and butter tossed in powdered sugar. They’re a popular no-bake treat in the U.S., often enjoyed during holidays, parties, or as an easy snack.
I love throwing together desserts like this one. They’re simple enough for my kids to make with me too. There is NO cooking really required to melt all the items together and coat the outsides. I use my microwave so the kids can basically make them. Works great, but you could melt in a small saucepan if you’d rather. These can be dressed up for the holidays too, which is super fun as you can see above.
Ingredient Notes
Rice Chex cereal is what this is typically made with but you can use corn or even chocolate chex (but the latter is messier). Store brands tend to have their own type that are almost identical too and cost less. I have even used Bugles to make this into unicorn muddy buddies.
Creamy peanut butter is best, don’t use natural that separates the oil as that is thinner and doesn’t stick as well I don’t think. Chunky yes adds some crushed nuts but I don’t think it sticks as well either. Typically I have smooth Jif on hand.
White chocolate chips is what I use for the coating. I haven’t tried with semi sweet or milk chocolate chips but you could or mix chocolate chips and peanut butter chips 1/2 and 1/2 and go with those flavors instead. I suggest melting chocolate in microwave, uncovered on high for 1 minute because it’s quick.
You are going to want some room temperature Butter for this. I don’t feel like it makes a difference to use salted or not so go with what you have on hand.
Powdered sugar is also known as confectioners sugar at the store and will create a coating. You need this or else it will just be a sticky sweet mess that will coat your fingers.
I will say that you can stir in vanilla extract for added flavor but I have forgotten it before and it didn’t change a lot. You’ll want a microwave safe bowl and large bowl or gallon freezer bag for the equipment.
Muddy Buddies Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- Parchment paper
- 1 freezer bag gallon size
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add Chex cereal in a large bowl, and then put the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in another bowl and microwave it for 1 minute. If not smooth and melted, microwave for another 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Add the vanilla to your chocolate mix and stir. Pour that mixture over your cereal and coat it thoroughly. Put the coated cereal into a large baggie (gallon size) and add your powdered sugar. Gently shake until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
- Pour all of that on parchment paper that’s been placed on a baking sheet to cool.
- Once it is cool it will stick and be hardened a bit, then you can transfer it into a bowl and add you add ins like Lucky Charms or something else.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Substitutions
If you didn’t know it, the rice version of this cereal is actually gluten free. If you choose a GF peanut butter and chocolate your celiac disease friends can enjoy it too. Really any nut butters work too like sunflower butter which is nut-free but with very similar flavors.
I have used a plant based vegan butter product in this so my husband could enjoy it too. The kids didn’t even notice that it was different so if you need an alternative, Country crock has a great version.
Variations
The best way to change this peanut butter muddy buddies recipe is to add sprinkles, mini marshmallows or small candies like Nerds. With these you can make them for every holiday with red and green for reindeer chow!
The original recipe can be found on the side of the rice Chex cereal box. It will take you about 15 minutes to make but you’ll need more time to allow it to cool down on some parchment or waxed paper at the end though.
FAQ
Puppy chow stays pretty fresh in an air tight container for 1-2 weeks but it is definitely better enjoyed fresh! Make sure you suck all the air out of the bag or container or it will not stay crispy on the outsides
Just by adding different sprinkles, marshmallows, candies, and/or snack mix ins like peanuts or pretzels can alter this mix in a variety of ways. We hope you like our fun muddy buddy recipe variations shown here. You can also try unicorn muddy buddies using Bugles chips instead of cereal.
Some people call this puppy chow, but either way you name it it is one of the most delicious (and a bit addicting) snack / dessert mixes ever!! Have you ever had it…if so what have you added in to make it special for a gift or holiday??
Jazz it up for Christmas time, just use colored jimmies and small candies you find where the sprinkles are in the baking aisle! For Easter you could use small peeps, jelly beans, or these small marshmallows….use your imagination!
Other no bake desserts you’ll love
Our Scotcheroo bars use peanut butter chips and butterscotch too. And our butterscotch haystacks Easter nest treats are always a hit during Easter time. If you’re all alone but want something sweet, make this one minute chocolate chip cookie in a mug too. Then move on to these better than sex bars and OH MY you’ll be in heaven.
