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Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) is a nostalgic peanut butter and chocolate snack that is so delicious and easy to make. You’ll never need to buy them from the store again. Kids and adults alike will scarf these down by the handful.
If you love easy snacks, be sure to check out my Funfetti Cake Batter Popcorn, The Best Hostess Cupcakes You’ll Ever Eat, Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip, S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, or my York Peppermint Patty Copycat Recipe.
What Are Muddy Buddies?
Muddy Buddies (or Puppy Chow, as they are known in other parts of the US) are a bagged snack that’s simply Chex cereal coated in melted peanut butter and chocolate, then tossed in powdered sugar.
They are so craveable and dangerously hard to stop eating. I had to stop buying these from the store years ago because if I have them in my house, I will not be able to resist the temptation.
My favorite way to store them is to place them in snack-sized zip-top bags and pop them in the freezer for anytime we get the craving.
Key Ingredients
Rice Chex – you can also use corn Chex if you prefer.
Chocolate Chips – semi-sweet chocolate is the best option, I like a quality chocolate like Ghirardelli.
Peanut Butter – we need to select an emulsified peanut butter if you want these to taste similar to the store-bought version. Jif or Skippy are the best options.
Vanilla Extract – a splash of vanilla!
Powdered Sugar – we’ll toss the coated Chex cereal in powdered sugar to seal up the wet chocolate mixture.
Sea Salt – just a pinch of salt helps to enhance all the flavors and cuts a little of that sweetness.
How to Make Muddy Buddies
In a large bowl, melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second bursts until the chocolate is mostly melted. Add in the salt and stir continuously until the chocolate is fully melted.
Then add the vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture and stir until well combined.
Add the Chex cereal into the chocolate mixture, 2 cups at a time. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to carefully toss the Chex until it’s completely coated. Then add more cereal, repeating the process.
Place half the powdered sugar into the bottom of a zip-top bag. Use a large spoon to transfer the cereal into the bag then add the remaining powdered sugar on top. Seal the bag well and shake continuously until the cereal is completely coated in sugar.
Store in the fridge, sealed tightly, for up to a week. Or, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze up to 3 months. I like to separate the muddy buddies into serving-size zip-top bags and store them in the freezer until ready to enjoy. We bring these out for movie nights, road trips, etc.
High Protein Muddy Buddies
If you’re looking to make this puppy chow recipe a bit healthier, consider adding protein. Although it still contains sugar and carbs, so I wouldn’t call it a healthy snack, but it’s certainly a lighter version of the original.
You’ll combine 1 cup powdered sugar + 1 cup vanilla protein powder. Sift them together in a gallon-sized ziplock bag, then toss the coated Chex cereal in this combination.
Can you store Muddy Buddies in the Fridge?
Yes! My favorite way to store this peanut butter and chocolate-coated treat is to separate them into zip-top snack bags and store them in the fridge or freezer.
They last for up to 3 months in the freezer!
Looking for More Easy Treats?
Funfetti Cake Batter Popcorn
The Best Hostess Cupcakes You’ll Ever Eat
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip
S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
York Peppermint Patty Copycat Recipe
I hope you enjoy this Muddy Buddies recipe. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback! If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day.
Muddy Buddies Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Chex or corn Chex
- 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 1 1/3 cup peanut butter be sure it’s emulsified like Jif
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second bursts until the chocolate is mostly melted. Add in the salt and stir continuously until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Add the vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture and stir until well combined.
- Add the Chex cereal into the chocolate mixture, 2 cups at a time. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to carefully toss the Chex until it’s completely coated. Then add more cereal, repeating the process.
- Place half the powdered sugar into the bottom of a zip-top bag. Use a large spoon to transfer the cereal into the bag then add the remaining powdered sugar on top. Seal the bag well and shake continuously until the cereal is completely coated in sugar.
- Store in the fridge, sealed tightly, for up to a week. Or, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze up to 3 months.
