This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Easy small batch puppy chow recipe. Chex cereal coated in a mixture of butter, peanut butter, and chocolate then tossed with powdered sugar. The best sweet and salty snack!

a bowl of puppy chow next to a gold napkin

Puppy Chow is one of my favorite snacks. Also known as Muddy Buddies, this sweet treat is made from Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Despite its name, Puppy Chow is not meant for dogs, but rather for humans who enjoy a sweet and crunchy snack.

Why Is It Called Puppy Chow?

Puppy Chow is believed to have originated in the Midwest and looks very much like dog kibble.

What Is The Difference Between Puppy Chow And Muddy Buddies?

No difference – Muddy Buddies is the official name of the recipe marketed by the maker of the original chocolate-covered cereal treat, General Mills. This snack is also known as Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, and Reindeer Chow.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Made with pantry staples: Puppy Chow is made with ingredients you may already have in your pantry. This easy no-bake dessert recipe is a scaled-down version of the Puppy Chow recipe I’ve been making for years. It’s a tested and perfected recipe that everyone loves!
  • Easy to customize: While the basic recipe for Puppy Chow is delicious, there are many ways to customize it by adding new flavors and textures. Some popular additions include adding M&Ms, pretzels, crushed Oreo cookies, or extra chocolate chips. Although I use white chocolate chips to create a white chocolate Puppy Chow, you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips instead.
  • Recipe can be doubled: If you’d like to make a larger batch of Puppy Chow, just double or triple the ingredient amounts.

Ingredients

white chocolate puppy chow ingredients on a kitchen counter

Ingredient Notes

See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

  • Rice cereal: Use Chex cereal or a generic equivalent. Although I mostly use Rice Chex, you can use a different variety like corn or wheat.
  • Chocolate chips: I like making Puppy Chow with white chocolate chips but you can use dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate instead.
  • Peanut butter: I recommend using creamy peanut butter. Don’t use natural peanut butter because of the oil separation. Feel free to use another nut or seed butter if you have a peanut allergy.
  • Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter.
  • Powdered sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient gives the Puppy Chow its signature white-dusted look.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

How To Make Puppy Chow

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Place the white chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
white chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a large mixing bowl
  1. Microwave on high in 30 seconds intervals, mixing in between until the chocolate has completely melted. Stir until smooth
melted chocolate chips and butter and peanut butter in a mixing bowl
  1. Add the cereal to the bowl and stir until the cereal is fully coated.
chex cereal in a bowl mixed with peanut butter and white chocolate chips
  1. Transfer the coated cereal to a gallon-sized resealable bag.

Pro Tip: Alternatively, you can keep the cereal in the bowl and stir in the powdered sugar but I find it easier to seal the ziplock bag and shake the ingredients together rather than stirring the ingredients together in the bowl.

puppy chow in a ziplock bag
  1. Pour the powdered sugar into the bag, seal the top, and shake until the cereal is fully coated with the powdered sugar.
white chocolate puppy chow in a ziplock bag
  1. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy.

Pro Tip: The chocolate will not be completely firm but is still great to eat at this point. If you’d like to let the chocolate harden a bit before eating, spread the Puppy Chow out on a rimmed baking sheet or large plate and place it in the refrigerator.

a bowl of puppy chow for one person next to a gold napkin

Expert Tips

  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section before beginning. Next, gather your ingredients so everything is close at hand.
  • Use fresh ingredients. Stale cereal or old chocolate can affect the flavor and texture of the Puppy Chow.
  • Shake the bag vigorously. When shaking the mixture in the plastic bag it’s important to shake it vigorously. This will help to evenly coat the cereal and prevent the sugar from clumping.

Variations

This is the best Puppy Chow recipe – it’s not only easy to make but it’s easy to customize too. Consider adding in other ingredients like 1/4 cup of any of the following: peanuts, pretzels, mini marshmallows, M&Ms or Reese’s pieces, or holiday candies.

Storage

Puppy Chow tastes best within 1 to 2 days of making it but will keep well if stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Puppy Chow Need To Be Refrigerated?

No. This snack mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

What If I’m Allergic To Peanut Butter?

For peanut butter-free Puppy Chow, use another type of nut butter or seed butter like cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.

Can I Make Vegan Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)?

Yes. To make a dairy-free Puppy Chow, use vegan chocolate chips or vegan white chocolate chips and margarine or vegan butter instead of butter.

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Absolutely! As written, this recipe yields a wonderful amount of Puppy Chow for one or two people. If you’d like to make a larger batch, just double the ingredient amounts.

an overhead view of a bowl of muddy buddies made with white chocolate chips on a silver tray

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch Puppy Chow recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this small batch Puppy Chow recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Recipe

Small Batch Puppy Chow

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Easy small batch puppy chow recipe. Chex cereal coated in a mixture of butter, peanut butter, and chocolate then tossed with powdered sugar. The best sweet and salty snack!

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • ¼ cup white chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions 

  • Place the white chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
  • Microwave on high in 30 seconds intervals, mixing in between, until the chocolate has completely melted. Stir until smooth.
  • Add the cereal to the bowl and stir until the cereal is fully coated.
  • Transfer the coated cereal to a gallon-sized resealable bag.
    Pro Tip: Alternatively, you can keep the cereal in the bowl and stir in the powdered sugar but I find it easier to seal the ziplock bag and shake the ingredients together rather than stirring the ingredients together in the bowl.
  • Pour the powdered sugar into the bag, seal the top, and shake until the cereal is fully coated with the powdered sugar.
  • Transfer to a bowl and enjoy.
    Pro Tip: The chocolate will not be completely firm but is still great to eat at this point. If you'd like to let the chocolate harden a bit before eating, spread the Puppy Chow out on a rimmed baking sheet or large plate and place it in the refrigerator.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section before beginning. Next, gather your ingredients so everything is close at hand.
  • Use fresh ingredients. Stale cereal or old chocolate can affect the flavor and texture of the Puppy Chow.
  • Shake the bag vigorously. When shaking the mixture in the plastic bag it’s important to shake it vigorously. This will help to evenly coat the cereal and prevent the sugar from clumping.
Storage
Puppy Chow tastes best within 1 to 2 days of making it but will keep well if stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 507kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 310mg, Potassium: 237mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin A: 682IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 158mg, Iron: 9mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Receive Our Latest Single Serving Recipes!
Sign Up for the weekly One Dish Kitchen Newsletter!!

Make 80+ Recipes With This Dish!

Ideal for home chefs, this individual square ceramic baking dish is safe for oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Simple to use & easy to clean!

Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




3 Comments