Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) are a classic no-bake snack made with Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed with powdered sugar. This easy Muddy Buddies recipe comes together in just minutes and is perfect for parties, holidays, and casual snacking.
If you grew up calling this treat puppy chow, you’re not alone. While the name varies by region and season, the recipe stays the same – crunchy cereal, rich chocolate peanut butter coating, and a sweet powdered sugar finish that’s hard to resist.
My family is addicted to the chocolate and peanut butter flavor combination. If you are looking for some other easy snacks/desserts with this flavor profile, try this Special K Bar recipe! Or, make these easy three ingredient peanut butter cookies and add a few chocolate chips. They are so peanut buttery flavored and delicious.
Table of contents
Other Names for this Treat
What Are Muddy Buddies? (Also Called Puppy Chow)
Muddy Buddies go by several different names depending on where you live or how they’re served. While “Muddy Buddies” is the most commonly searched name today, you may also know this snack by one of these familiar names.
- Reindeer Chow - Perfect to leave for the reindeer instead of cookies.
- Bunny Bait - Over here Easter bunny!
Why I love this recipe
I love this Muddy Buddies recipe because the chocolate and peanut butter combination never disappoints, especially when paired with crunchy Chex cereal and a generous coating of powdered sugar.
This is an easy no-bake snack that comes together with just a handful of pantry ingredients, making it perfect when you need something quick for a party, potluck, or last-minute treat. Here are more of my favorite game day snacks.
Muddy Buddies are also incredibly shareable. I’ve served them for holidays, packed them into mason jars for gifts, and set out big bowls for game day – they disappear every time.
There’s also a strong nostalgia factor with this recipe. Whether you grew up calling it puppy chow or muddy buddies, it’s one of those familiar treats that people recognize instantly and keep coming back for.
Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex cereal - I have also used Crispix cereal and Life brand cereal.
- Milk chocolate chips - If you have semisweet at home, those work great too. If you are a dark chocolate chip lover, use those.
- Peanut butter - I use whatever I have on hand. Go ahead and use your favorite brand or even homemade.
- Butter - to help the chocolate melt and have a smooth
- Powdered sugar - also known as confectioner's sugar and icing sugar (for my Canadian friends)
Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, add all the cereal you will use and make sure there is enough room to add and mix other ingredients.
Step 2
In a microwave-safe bowl, add butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Microwave 30 seconds then stir. Microwave in additional 20-second increments until everything is melted and stirs together smoothly. When the chocolate chips are mostly melted, you can stir them, and they will finish melting when you stir.
Step 3
Add melted ingredients into the large bowl containing cereal.
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Stir until well combined. Honestly, this is where it's much easier to get the cereal well-coated if you get your hands in there! I use thin, disposable gloves when I do messy kitchen jobs like this!
Step 4
Add the powdered sugar on top of the chocolate-coated cereal.
Mix gently but quickly to coat the cereal.
Place puppy chow on a parchment paper-lined jelly roll (or cookie sheet) to cool.
Storage
This can be stored on the counter in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate up to 10 days (in a sealed container or plastic storage bags). Make sure the puppy chow has been cooled before putting it in the fridge. It gets soggy if it's warm and put in the fridge.
FAQs
Yes, just melt it on low and watch it carefully!
Yes. Muddy buddies can be made 2–3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Sticky muddy buddies usually mean the chocolate mixture was too warm when the powdered sugar was added. Let the coated cereal cool slightly before tossing with sugar.
Yes. You can substitute another nut butter or sunflower seed butter, though the flavor will change slightly.
Other Delicious Shareable Snacks
Muddy Buddies Recipe (Classic Puppy Chow)
Ingredients
- 9 cups chex cereal Other options include Chocolate Chex cereal, Life Brand cereal and Crispix
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips You can also use semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup Peanut butter Use your favorite brand.
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar aka confectioner's sugar
Instructions
- Mix all 9 cups of cereal in a large bowl.
- In a microwaveable bowl, put butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Microwave 30 seconds then stir. Microwave in additional 20 second increments until everything is melted and stirs together smoothly.
- Add melted ingredients into large bowl containing cereal.
- Stir until well combined. This is where it's much easier to get the cereal well coated if you get your hands in there (I wear thin disposable gloves)!
- Add the powdered sugar onto the chocolate covered cereal.
- Stir gently but quickly to evenly evenly coat.
- Place on a parchment lined jelly roll (or cookie sheet) to cool.
Notes
Nutrition (estimate)
I hope you like this recipe as much as my family does!
momcrieff
That's what it's been called forever. It is not meant for a pup and I did state that very clearly (I hope!) in the post.
Sarah
How far in advance can you make this for a party
momcrieff
As long as this is stored in a tightly sealed container, you are fine for at least a week.
imarancher
Please, Please, Please, I beg you to make sure you add, in very large letters, that this is not suitable even as a snack for dogs. Please. People do stupid things with the best of intentions. I read the recipe before I realized it was not for pets but humans. The chocolate flavored cereal is where I realized it could not be for pets. Not everyone will.
momcrieff
I had to read your message twice before I realized why people would think this recipe is for dogs. Yes, I can see people misunderstanding if they are not familiar with what Puppy Chow is. I will add something! Done. Thanks for pointing out the potential misunderstanding. It would never have occurred to me!
imarancher
Thank you, thank you, thank you. ImA Rancher, aka Bonnie Davis, RN, CCRN Retired (general all around busy body for the public welfare)