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This Classic Muddy Buddies recipe is so crunchy, sweet, and satisfying. The perfect chocolate peanut butter 15 minute snack.
Featured with this recipe
- The Ultimate Easy Sweet Snack
- What Are Muddy Buddies?
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Treat
- Ingredients for Classic Muddy Buddies
- How to Make this Sweet Treat
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought Muddy Buddies
- Variations to Classic Muddy Buddies
- Give the Gift of Muddy Buddies
- Frequently Asked Questions About Muddy Buddies
- Storing Muddy Buddies
- More Sweet and Snackable Recipes
- Muddy Buddies Recipe
The Ultimate Easy Sweet Snack
If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for a quick, no-bake treat that’s ready in a flash. Well, let me tell you—Muddy Buddies are where it’s at! Also called Puppy Chow, this sweet, crunchy snack is made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. It’s ridiculously simple and quick to whip up and the flavor is next level.
I love making Muddy Buddies for just about any occasion—movie nights, parties, or even those “I need something sweet right now” moments. They’re always a hit, and honestly, who can resist? Let me walk you through everything you need to know to make, customize, and enjoy this all-time favorite snack!
What Are Muddy Buddies?
Muddy Buddies (a.k.a. Puppy Chow, Reindeer Chow, or Muddy Munch) are a sweet, crunchy snack made by coating Chex cereal in a mix of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, then tossing it in powdered sugar. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors: sweet, salty, crunchy, and oh-so-delicious.
The snack gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 70s. The recipe is believed to have been inspired by European treats that involved coating cereals or nuts in chocolate and powdered sugar. The name “Muddy Buddies” was popularized by General Mills, which began printing the recipe on boxes of Chex cereal. The term “Puppy Chow” likely came about because the snack’s appearance resembles dog kibble—but don’t let that fool you; it’s a human treat through and through! Over the decades, it has become a staple at holiday parties, potlucks, and family gatherings, cherished for its ease of preparation and irresistible taste.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Treat
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A hit at parties, potlucks, or as a thoughtful gift.
- Customizable: Tons of fun variations to suit any occasion or flavor preference.
Ingredients for Classic Muddy Buddies
Here’s what you’ll need to make the best homemade Muddy Buddies:
- Corn Chex Cereal: 6 cups
- Rice Chex Cereal: 3 cups
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 1 cup (or substitute with milk chocolate, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips)
- Peanut Butter: ½ cup (creamy is ideal, but crunchy works too)
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Powdered Sugar: About 1 ½ cups
Pro Tip: Want to mix it up? Try adding Wheat Chex or flavored varieties like Chocolate Chex or Peanut Butter Chex.
How to Make this Sweet Treat
1. Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
2. Coat the Cereal
Place the Chex cereal in a large bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.
3. Add the Powdered Sugar
Transfer the coated cereal to a large resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake until all the cereal pieces are well-coated.
4. Cool and Serve
Spread the mixture out on waxed paper to cool for about 15 minutes. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container for storage—or dive in right away!
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Muddy Buddies
While store-bought Muddy Buddies can be convenient, homemade is always better! Not only is it cheaper to make your own, but the flavors and freshness are unbeatable. Plus, you can customize your batch with your favorite ingredients.
Variations to Classic Muddy Buddies
If you want to customize your Muddy Buddies, there are some delicious options to take this recipe to the next level! Here are some popular variation options:
- M&Ms: First, and easiest, is M&M’s. After the Muddy Buddies are cooled completely, mix in classic, peanut butter, or peanut M&M’s. You can also make a more seasonal treat by adding holiday colored or holiday flavored M&Ms.
- Candy bar & Candy Mix Ins: Chop up some of your favorite candy bars like Reese’s peanut butter cups, butterfinger, KitKat, etc.
- Cookies and Cream: Mix crushed Oreos into the Chex cereal before coating it with chocolate and powdered sugar. This adds a cookies and cream twist to the classic recipe. Chopped cookies and cream Hershey bars are also a fun addition.
- S’mores: Incorporate mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces into your muddy buddies. You can even drizzle some melted chocolate over the top for more of that s’mores flavor.
- Mint Chocolate: Use mint chocolate chips and a bit of peppermint extract to give your muddy buddies a refreshing minty flavor. Top them with crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch.
- Coconut Almond Joy: Mix in shredded coconut and chopped almonds to replicate the flavors of an Almond Joy candy bar. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate and add a few mini chocolate chips.
Give the Gift of Muddy Buddies
I love making a big batch of this treat at home and sharing it with my kids (if they’re good) or neighbors as gifts. Plus it cannot be easier. From start to finish, this recipe takes ten minutes tops. You just can’t beat that! Plus you can change it up a million different ways, adding different flavorings, candies, just about anything you can imagine. Place them in a cellophane bag, tie it with a ribbon, and you’re good to go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muddy Buddies
If you do not cool the Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow completely after you pour the chocolate on, the fats from the chocolate can break down the cereal and make it soggy. Make sure to spread the entire mixture out in a single layer and cool completely.
Yes! You can substitute another nut butter or seed butter like almond butter or sun butter. You can also just use a little extra chocolate and butter.
Yes! The main ingredient in Muddy Buddies is Chex cereal, and Chex cereals are gluten-free. If your family is like ours, being aware of gluten-allergies when serving up snacks is a must. They are perfect for movie nights, game nights, and parties.
Storing Muddy Buddies
Muddy Buddies are easy to store, making them a perfect make-ahead treat. Simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks. If you’d like to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them, or for even longer storage, pop them in the freezer where they’ll keep for 4 to 6 months. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to maintain that perfect crunch!
More Sweet and Snackable Recipes
Sweet or savory, crunchy or chewy here are some of our favorite snackable recipes that satisfy any hunger craving!
Muddy Buddies
Video
Ingredients
- 6 cups corn Chex cereal
- 3 cups rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Measure cereal into large bowl and set aside.
- In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute. Stir the chocolate, then microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla.
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Then pour into 2-gallon resealable plastic bag.
- Add powdered sugar to the bag, seal tightly, then shake until well coated. Spread the powder covered cereal out on waxed paper to cool.
- When completely cooled, serve or store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Tips for this recipe
- To prevent soggy muddy buddies, be sure to let them completely cool after pouring on the chocolate. Keep muddy buddies in a single layer as they cool.
- Store muddy buddies in an airtight container and eat within a few days. They don’t have to be refrigerated.
- To freeze muddy buddies, place them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information
Muddy Buddies are the ultimate snack for any occasion. Whether you stick with the classic recipe or try one of the many fun variations, this 15-minute treat is sure to satisfy your cravings. Make a batch today—you won’t regret it! Let us know below in the comments what you think!
I have also used quaker oat squares…… extra hearty!
awsome Recipe I love it and it tastes great hope you make more
This is such a fun simple recipe! I will definitely try it out for Christmas this year.
What a fun recipe for the holidays and perfect to make with my kids! Love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
Such a classic sweet treat! I love making this for the holidays. 🙂
I have always wanted to make these, but this recipe was the one that convinced me! I am now planning on making it as part of Christmas gifts, so thank you!!
We know this recipe as Puppy Chow where I live, but boy this one is spot on. Such a great recipe and how neat to see this listed as a different name than I am used to. Tastes awesome.
My kids LOVE these. I make them every Christmas, although they would like me to make them more often. I always use half chocolate chips, half butterscotch chips. Its the best! Loving your blog!! Thank You!
i use to loved this treat when i was younger but never had a recipe!i will definately have to try this one out! thanks for all of the awesome ideas and great recipes on your blog! keep up the awesome work!