Puppy Chow
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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.
Reasons You’ll Love this Recipe
- One of my go-to recipes for large groups.
- It comes together super fast.
- Ingredients are simple.
- Almost every age loves it.
- This recipe yields extra chunky results. My favorite!
Polly’s Tips for Success
- Prefer it less sticky? Simply add a touch more powdered sugar to suit your taste.
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Melt slowly and gently. Use low heat on the stove or microwave in short bursts, stirring often to prevent the chocolate from scorching.
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Start with fresh cereal. Crisp cereal makes the best Puppy Chow. Stale cereal will absorb too much coating and lose its crunch.
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Don’t crush the cereal. Stir gently to cover every piece without breaking them.
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Shake, don’t stir. Place the coated cereal and powdered sugar in a large zip-top bag and shake for a no-mess, even coating. Kids love helping with this part!
What’s in Puppy Chow?
This recipe doesn’t win any health awards, but the ingredients are simple and recognizable! PS – If you love the chocolate/peanut butter flavor, you will also love our Peanut Butter Brownies, Peanut Butter Cup Cake Mix Cookies or Buckeye Brownies.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
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Puppy Chow
Puppy Chow is one of our favorite homemade snacks. Yummy, sweet and crunchy for the win!
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
- In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and peanut butter and stir constantly until the mixture is liquefied and well combined. Remove from heat.
- Using a gallon sized plastic bag, pour about half of the Chex cereal into it.
- Drizzle about half of the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.
- Close the bag and give it a good shake until the Chex pieces are coated in the chocolate.
- Once cereal is coated, scoop about half of the powdered sugar over the Chex, close the top and give it another good shake.
- 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.
- 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.
Holy moly this was delicious. I love the extra chunks that this recipe allows for. Making this in the near future again for sure!