Try these Muddy Buddies (also called Puppy Chow) for a quick and easy snack. No baking needed, and just a few ingredients!
Next try this White Chocolate Chex Mix or this Chocolate Popcorn!
The Best Muddy Buddies Ever
Last summer, my son loved selling lemonade but this year he wanted to try something new. So, I made a few batches of these Muddy Buddies for him to sell. After just one day, he’s convinced they’re the ticket to all the money he could ever want. 😉
Needless to say, this snack mix was a huge hit in the neighborhood. Honestly, it’s super popular whenever I make it and wherever I take it!
What Are Muddy Buddies?
Also called Puppy Chow, Reindeer Chow, or Monkey Munch.
Muddy Buddies are a fun crunchy snack mix made with cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, butter, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. The best part? No baking!
They might look like dog food (hence the name Puppy Chow), but they’re super tasty. (Just don’t feed them to your dog since pets and chocolate don’t mix.)
Ingredients
- Chex Cereal: Use Rice or Corn Chex (or a similar brand). This cereal holds up well with the coating.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Any smooth and creamy nut butter works here!
- Chocolate Chips: You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips — whichever you like best.
- Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the salt level. You can always add more salt, but can’t take it out.
- Vanilla Extract: Add it after microwaving to keep the flavor strong.
- Powdered Sugar: Coats the cereal for a sweet finish and to “seal” in the chocolate and peanut butter.
How To Make Muddy Buddies
- Measure: Measure the cereal into a very large bowl.
- Melt: Combine the butter, chocolate chips, salt, and peanut butter, then melt in the microwave. Stir through vanilla for added flavor.
- Combine: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and toss until evenly coated.
- Coat: Transfer the mixture to a large bag, add the powdered sugar, and shake to combine!
And if you’re wondering how to make Puppy Chow, it’s the exact same as this recipe. 🙂
Variation Ideas:
One of the best things about this snack is how easy it is to customize. I’ve made lots of Muddy Buddies variations, and here are my favorites:
- Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies: A rich, chocolatey snack mix that tastes like an Oreo.
- Muddy Buddy Bars: Make this treat in bar form! It’s perfect for on-the-go, no-bake desserts.
- Double Chocolate Flavored: Use dry brownie mix instead of powdered sugar.
- Nutella Flavor: Use Nutella® instead of peanut butter for a different flavor.
- Make It Seasonal: Try these fun twists for every season: Fall Muddy Buddies, Valentine Muddy Buddies, Goblin Goodies, and Peppermint Bark Muddy Buddies.
- Switch Up The Cereal: Don’t have Chex cereal? Try S’mores Muddy Buddies and Peanut Butter Puppy Chow for a fun change.
Expert Tips
- Even Coating: Use a gallon-sized plastic bag to toss chocolate-covered Chex with powdered sugar. If too full, use two bags. This ensures even coating.
- Avoid Burning: Melt chocolate in the microwave in short bursts (15-30 seconds), stirring in between to prevent burning.
- Be Gentle: Shake the cereal gently with the melted chocolate in the bag to evenly coat and keep from crushing the cereal.
Storage
What To Do With Leftovers:
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, best in 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze Muddy Buddies: Yes! I love these straight from the freezer! Store in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.
More Delicious Desserts:
- Snickerdoodles reader favorite cookies
- Edible Cookie Dough no baking required and food safe
- Lemon Bars with a shortbread crust
- Chocolate Cheesecake with an Oreo crust
- S’mores Bars no baking required
Muddy Buddies
Equipment
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 8 cups corn Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips milk or semisweet, I like Guittard or Ghirardelli
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Additions
- mini M&M’s
- mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Measure cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
- In a separate large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter, and salt. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring between each burst for 15 seconds until the mixture is melted and smooth. Mix in vanilla. Pour over the cereal. Stir well until the cereal is evenly coated. Take care not to crush the cereal while stirring.
- Pour half the cereal mixture into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag and pour half the powdered sugar over it. Seal and shake until the cereal is evenly coated. Repeat with the other half of the cereal and powdered sugar. Shake until all the cereal is well coated.
- Pour into a large bowl and enjoy! If desired, stir in a fun addition such as mini M&M’s or mini chocolate chips.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You may want to edit your recipe… It says to use Corn chex… Not Rice chex.
I must say, I’ve never used Corn chex to make them… And it hodnestly oesn’t sound very good… But hey, I’m just one person. 😆🤷♀️
Ooh, it’s amazing with Corn Chex! But Rice Chex absolutely works as well—whatever you prefer!
My family loves the Chex Muddy Buddy Mix!! Sometimes, I use equal amounts of Rice Chex Cereal, Chex Chocolate Cereal
, and Chex Peanut Butter Cereal (when I can find the Peanut Butter Chex Cereal, it’s very hard to find).
Delish! SO thrilled you guys love this! Thanks Carol! 🙂
I make these every Christmas for add on gift for older grandkids they love them. My recipe was thrown away when husband cleaned out drawers please email for me thank you
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Denise! You can print straight from this recipe if you just click the print link! 🙂
I have been making muddy buddy for many years. I like to add extra goodies for variety…m and m, mini pretzels, peanuts. Fun to pick out your favorite pieces.
Yum!!
Wow, it looks delicious! Thanks for your sharing!!
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
So glad to find this easy and quick recipe! I was craving muddy buddies and my local store was out! I bought the ingredients instead and boom! Muddy buddies at home!
I didn’t have a plastic bag big enough so I used the bag the rice Chex cereal came in! It worked out great and taste better than the Chex brand in my boyfriend opinion (after a blind taste comparison).
Thank you!
So thrilled you enjoyed these muddies buddies 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment!!
Can almond butter be used instead of peanut butter?
You could certainly try it! I’d use a dry roasted and lightly salted almond butter that has a good flavor on its own!
AMAZING!!!
My grown son loves these! I made them every Christmas and even tho he’s 35 he still comes to my house for Muddy Buddies!
That is so awesome! I’m so happy to hear this! 🙂
I’ve made this before and it is great. Can you use almond butter or chocolate peanut butter instead of peanut butter. If you use chocolate peanut butter can you still use the chocolate c hips.
Thank you, Dorothy
I’ve never tried almond butter! You’ll have to let me know how it goes 🙂