Best Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) (2024)

By Laura

Posted Feb 21, 2018, Updated Sep 02, 2020

5 from 232 votes

225 Comments

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The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (AKA: Muddy Buddies) ever! Only 4 ingredients (no butter) and a few minutes results in an irresistible dessert loaded with chocolate and peanut butter! The perfect sweet treat to feed a crowd!

Best Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) (2)

Listen carefully, my Puppy Chow Recipe is not for the faint of heart. You will never find weak puppy chow in my kitchen. You know what I mean? The stuff that is so thinly coated with chocolate and peanut butter that the powdered sugar barely sticks to it? Not on my watch. I want clumps, andglobs, andhunks, andchunks of chocolate-peanut buttery goodness.

Now the name of this treat can be controversial. I’m a midwesterner (born and raised) so I call this treat “Puppy Chow.” It has other names too, like muddy buddies, monkey munch, etc., but no matter what you call it, it’s delicious.

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How to make puppy chow

This puppy chow recipe is very easy to make, howeverthe method matters, a LOT. I consider myself a muddy buddies expert, so I devised the absolute perfect method to making the best puppy chow ever – no butter required.

Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Melt equal parts of chocolate (semi-sweet or dark) and peanut butter together.Start by warming it for 60 seconds, stir and then warm in increments of 30 seconds so you don’t make it too hot!

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Stir until combined

The chocolate peanut butter mixture together until it’s smooth and glossy.

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Combine cereal and chocolate/peanut butter mixture

Next, put some cereal in the bottom of a large bowl, pour some of the peanut butter/chocolate mixture on top, and continue to alternate cereal/chocolate/cereal, etc.until you’ve used up all the ingredients.

The key here is to start VERY conservatively with the amount of cereal! You do not, I repeat, do not want to use too much cereal. It will ruin your puppy chow, and consequently, your day.

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Chill

Next, mix it all together, making sure the cereal isthicklycoated. Then put the muddy buddies somewhere to cool off (outside in the winter, or in the refrigerator) before adding any powdered sugar.

This step is absolutely crucial. I am not into sickeninglysweet desserts, so I like to use as little powdered sugar as possible. If you add the powdered sugar while the mixture is still warm it will soak right in and won’t help separate the chunks at all.

Making sure your mixture is slightly cooled will mean you can use less powdered sugar in the end.

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Add powdered sugar

Once the mixture is at or just below room temperature,but not hard, add the powdered sugar until there is a thin coating and some of the pieces start separating. It’s helpful to use a bowl with a lid, so you can shake it to coat the cereal evenly.

Chill Again!

Next, let the muddy buddies cool down even more (for about 15 or 20 more minutes) before adding a little more powdered sugar. You want to add just enough so that the puppy chow can be eaten without making your hands a chocolatey-mess.

Let harden

Let the puppy chow sit at room temperature for about 2 hours until it’s hardened. This process can be expedited in the refrigerator. Just be sure to serve it at room temperature!

Store/freeze

Store this puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week (if it lasts that long) or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

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Puppy Chow Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

There are only 4 ingredients in this muddy buddies recipe! But there are a few ways you can adapt it if you’d like.

  • Chocolate.I recommend using a dark or semi-sweet variety. In my opinion, making thisPuppy Chow Recipe with milk chocolate makes it too sweet. But if you have a serious sweet tooth by all means use whatever chocolate you prefer! If you need an allergy-friendly chocolate both Sunspire and Enjoy Life Foods make great options!
  • Rice Cereal.Chex is my favorite cereal to use (or a generic equivalent)! However many people love Crispex!
  • Peanut Butter.You can substitute any nut or seed butter if you’re allergic to peanuts!
  • Powdered sugar.There’s really no substitute for this. You could make your own refined sugar free variety but it will NOT be white. So if you’re OK with that then go for it! 😉
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FAQs about puppy chow

Can you freeze puppy chow?

Yes! this puppy chow recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months!

How long is puppy chow good for?

This puppy chow stays fresh for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container (but it usually gets eaten way faster)!

What if I’m allergic to peanut butter?

You can substitute sunflower seed butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc. for peanut butter.

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Best Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) (12)

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Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies)

Laura

The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (AKA: Muddy Buddies) EVER! Only 4 ingredients (no butter) and a few minutes results in an irresistible dessert loaded with chocolate and peanut butter! The perfect sweet treat to feed a crowd!

5 from 232 votes

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 15 servings

Calories 230.6

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Chilling time20 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Instructions

  • Melt peanut butter and chocolate together, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.

  • Next, add 3 cups of cereal to a large bowl. Pour 1 cup of your chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the cereal.

  • Add 3 more cups of cereal to the bowl and then pour the rest of the chocolate/peanut butter mixture on top.

  • Stir until the cereal is evenly coated. If there are pools of chocolate/peanut butter at the bottom of your bowl, add more cereal 1/4 cup at a time until all that deliciousness is coating your cereal. Remember we WANT clumps, so do NOT add too much cereal!

  • Let the mixture cool slightly (I throw mine in the fridge or outside on my porch if it’s cold out). You do not want it to harden!

  • Once your mixture is at or below room temperature, add 1 cup of powdered sugar. Mix until combined.

  • Let cool for about 15 minutes.

  • Add more powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time until your cereal is coated to your satisfaction.

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature, if it lasts more than 0.3 seconds.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Chocolate. I recommend using a dark or semi-sweet variety. In my opinion, making thisPuppy Chow Recipe with milk chocolate makes it too sweet. But if you have a serious sweet tooth by all means use whatever chocolate you prefer! If you need an allergy-friendly chocolate both Sunspire and Enjoy Life Foods make great options!
  • Rice Cereal.Chex is my favorite cereal to use (or a generic equivalent)! However many people love Crispex!
  • Peanut Butter.You can substitute any nut or seed butter if you’re allergic to peanuts!
  • Powdered sugar.There’s really no substitute for this. You could make your own refined sugar free variety but it will NOT be white. So if you’re OK with that then go for it! 😉

Chilling

  • Just a note that chilling the cereal/peanut butter/chocolate mixturebefore adding any powdered sugar is critical to making sure you have delicious clumpy, not overly sweet, puppy chow!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 230.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.6g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 12.2g | Potassium: 62.4mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 1.3g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

The links in this post are affiliate links, thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine.

Best Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? ›

There's sort of an ongoing debate about the name of this chocolate-covered cereal treat. Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies. Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal.

Why are my muddy buddies soggy? ›

Melted chocolate is hot, and it can turn your puppy chow into a soggy mess if you don't cool it properly. After adding the Rice Chex to the melted chocolate, we're putting the mixture into the freezer or fridge to cool it down right away.

What came first puppy chow or muddy buddies? ›

In 2002 General Mills developed Muddy Buddies, the same recipe as Puppy Chow. But it can't be said that General Mills invented the recipe since Midwesterners recall seeing it and eating it long before the early 2000s.

What is puppy chow snack made of? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

Can adults eat puppy chow? ›

Is it Bad for Adult Dogs to Continue Eating Puppy Food? Because puppy foods are formulated to deliver higher amounts of protein and fat, along with other nutrients needed for a puppy's rapid initial growth, feeding puppy food regularly to a healthy adult can cause unwanted weight gain, among other health problems.

What is puppy chow called in the South? ›

This quick, no-bake puppy snack mix will also answer to other names such as Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, or Reindeer Chow. Think of it as sweet chocolate and peanut butter Chex mix.

Why is my puppy chow clumpy? ›

If you add the powdered sugar while the mixture is still warm it will soak right in and won't help separate the chunks at all. What is this? Making sure your mixture is slightly cooled will mean you can use less powdered sugar in the end.

Why does my puppy chow go stale so fast? ›

Puppy Chow should be stored in an airtight container and is best if eaten within 1 to 2 weeks. If they aren't stored in a well sealed container they will go stale very quickly. Muddy Buddies do not need to be refrigerated, they can be stored in your parntry.

What does puppy chow taste like? ›

Something about clusters of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar covered-Rice Chex looking like delectable little snow balls or something like that. Seriously though, nothing screams Christmas or the holidays more to me than Puppy Chow. Not even sugar cookies, and that's really saying something!

Is puppy chow a Midwest thing? ›

Puppy chow is a party staple in the Midwest, but not everywhere else. Puppy chow — a snack mix made of Chex cereal covered in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar — is often a fixture at parties. People outside of the Midwest have often never heard of it, and they don't know what they're missing.

Is puppy chow a wisconsin thing? ›

Is Puppy Chow a Midwestern thing? Yes, people across the Midwest loved this sweet and crunchy snack year-round. The “puppy chow belt” runs through Wisconsin and Michigan, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

What is a funny name for puppy chow? ›

Puppy chow, also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag, is the name for a homemade candy made in the United States, primarily in the Midwestern States.

Does muddy buddies go bad? ›

Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Why is puppy chow called puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

What's in the puppy chow Blizzard? ›

Just like the unique snack, DQ's puppy chow Blizzard is made with peanut butter, chocolate chunks, and real puppy chow pieces blended in its classic soft serve. Sure, a peanut butter and chocolate Blizzard has been done before, but it's the crispy puppy chow pieces swirled throughout that give this treat a twist.

Why are muddy buddies called puppy chow? ›

Its brown kibble-like appearance harkens back to the chow of the Purina company, and the name wasn't subtle, people called it Puppy Chow, knowing well that the dog food company manufactured that cereal. While party mix was a little more universally known for many decades, Puppy Chow was a neat quirk of the Midwest.

What is another name for puppy chow dessert? ›

Puppy chow (snack)
Alternative namesMonkey Munch, Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Reindeer Chow, Doggy Bag
CourseCandy
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsChocolate, peanut butter, cereal, powdered sugar
Food energy (per serving)20 kcal (84 kJ)
1 more row

What is the difference between puppy chow and regular dog food? ›

Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food. Some brands even add extra omega-3 fatty acids to puppy food to help with brain and eye development. On top of all of this, large-breed puppies have additional special needs.

Is puppy chow better than dog chow? ›

Puppy food does have slightly higher levels of calcium and phosphorous when compared to most adult dog foods. Puppy food also has a higher fat and protein content, meaning there are more calories per bite than the adult version of the same brand.

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