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Home Recipe Index Desserts

Puppy Chow

5 /5
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Polly Conner
By: Polly ConnerPosted: 1/23/25Updated: 1/23/25

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

You’ve got to try our ridiculously easy and totally irresistible Puppy Chow recipe! This crowd-favorite dessert is perfect for parties, movie nights, or gifting. Packed with big, satisfying clumps of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness, it’s hard to stop at just one handful. Prefer it less sticky? Simply add a touch more powdered sugar to suit your taste.

Puppy chow in a glass bowl on a counter. this …


 

Puppy Chow (also known as Muddy Buddies) is one of my go-to recipes for large groups. It comes together super fast, the ingredients are simple, and almost every age loves it!

Table of Contents
  • What’s in Puppy Chow?
  • How to Make Puppy Chow
  • Pro Tip
  • FAQs
  • More Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes
  • Puppy Chow

What’s in Puppy Chow?

This recipe doesn’t win any health awards, but the ingredients are simple and recognizable!

Ingredients for puppy chow measured out and labeled.

How to Make Puppy Chow

Step 1: Set up The Bag

Using either a bag stand or a bowl, set up a gallon-size zip-top bag and pour half of the Chex cereal into the bag.

Melt the Chocolate and Pour it Over the Chex

Over medium-low heat, melt down the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter until it’s smooth.

Pour half of the chocolate mixture over the Chex in the bag you set up.

Seal the bag up and gently smoosh it until all of the Chex is coated.

Chex cereal in a gallon-size bag being held up in a baggy stand.
Chex cereal in a gallon-size plastic baggie with melted chocolate peanut butter poured on top to be mixed.

Shake the bag until the powdered sugar has coated the Chex pieces. Dump it into a large bowl or storage container.

Add the Powdered Sugar

Once the cereal is coated, add about half of the powdered sugar.

The recipe is written to allow for some clumps to form. If you want more of a drier mix, add more powdered sugar than called for.

Peanut butter chocolate coated Chex cereal in a gallon-size plastic bag with powdered sugar on top.

Repeat the Steps

You’re not done yet! That was only round 1. Set round 1 of completed Puppy Chow aside and prepare for round 2!

Add the remaining Chex and melted chocolate into the same bag. Give it a shake and add the remaining powdered sugar.

Peanut butter chocolate covered chex cereal with powdered sugar on top.

Pro Tip

I’ve found that I oftentimes need additional powdered sugar when making round 2. Don’t be afraid to add some if it’s too sticky!

FAQs

How do I store Puppy Chow?

Store your puppy chow in an airtight container for 2-3 days on the counter. Or, some prefer to store their puppy chow in the fridge or freezer claiming it tastes better and stores longer (I haven’t tested that).

Can I use a different kind of Chex instead of Rice Chex?

Yes, the texture of Puppy Chow will not be affected by using a different flavor Chex. Rice Chex doesn’t have much flavor on its own, so be aware that using any other kind of Chex will change the flavor of Puppy Chow to some degree.

Hand holding some puppy chow above a full bowl of it.

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes

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Healthy Chocolate Covered Pretzels

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Peanut Butter Brownies

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Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats

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Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Puppy chow in a glass bowl ready to serve.
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

Puppy Chow

Puppy Chow is one of our favorite homemade snacks. Yummy, sweet and crunchy for the win!

Yield: 10 cups 1x
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 10 minutesTotal: 15 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 bag Rice Chex cereal (About 10 cups)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (more if you don’t want it clumpy)

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Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  2. Stir in the chocolate chips and peanut butter and stir constantly until the mixture is liquefied and well combined. Remove from heat.
  3. Using a gallon sized plastic bag, pour about half of the Chex cereal into it.
  4. Drizzle about half of the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.
  5. Close the bag and give it a good shake until the Chex pieces are coated in the chocolate.
  6. Once cereal is coated, scoop about half of the powdered sugar over the Chex, close the top and give it another good shake.
  7. Add powdered sugar as needed until the Puppy Chow resembles the consistency you want it. Dump that batch into a large bowl or storage container.
  8. Repeat these steps with the remaining ingredients. This stores for 2-3 days on the counter, maybe longer in the fridge.

Notes/Tips

This is a great recipe to make as a gift any time of year. Just change the packaging to fit the occasion.

I’ve found that I oftentimes need additional powdered sugar when making round 2. Don’t be afraid to add some if it’s too sticky.

© Author: Polly Conner
Cuisine: American Method: Stovetop

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Puppy chow in a bowl for serving.
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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. Carly says

    Posted on 2/14/23 at 12:25 pm

    Holy moly this was delicious. I love the extra chunks that this recipe allows for. Making this in the near future again for sure!

    Reply

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