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This Muddy Buddies recipe (also known as Puppy Chow) is the ultimate & crunchy no-bake treat. Crispy Chex cereal coated in warm, melted chocolate and peanut butter, tossed in powdered sugar, and ready in minutes. Aka the most dangerously addictive snack you’ll ever make!
Perfect for the holidays, gifting, snacking, and cozy movie nights. If you’re planning a holiday treat tray, pair these with my Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, Christmas Coconut Balls, and Hot Cocoa Bombs, all easy no-bake favorites!
Hi! I’ve made this along with the “Festive” and “Valentines” mixes for my 7- and 8-year-olds’ school, along with a batch for home! 😉 I would LOVE it if you could start incorporating different varieties of the mix for each holiday!!
Tested & perfected: Originally published in 2021, retested & improved in 2025 for better coating coverage, crisp texture, and perfect sugar-to-chocolate ratio. Includes reader tips + freezer option for gifting season.
Why You’ll Love This Muddy Buddies Recipe
- No-bake, 10 minute recipe.
- Uses simple pantry staples
- Perfect for holiday gifting + parties
- Easy to customize for any season
- Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, crowd-approved
- Gluten-free if using Chex brand cereal
What Are Muddy Buddies (aka puppy Chow)
Muddy Buddies, also called Puppy Chow or Reindeer Chow, are a classic American snack made by coating cereal in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossing with powdered sugar until snowy and sweet.
Crunchy, sweet, salty, chocolatey, slightly nostalgic. Literal holiday magic in a bowl!
Let’s Chit Chat!
I didn’t grow up with Muddy Buddies, I discovered them after moving to the US, and I still remember tasting them for the first time and thinking, “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!!?”
They’ve now become one of my must-make December traditions… and honestly a random Tuesday treat too!! They’re just so easy to whip up whenever the cravings hit.
I re-tested this recipe for 2025 to improve coating coverage, reduce the risk of sogginess, and enhance flavor balance. I also added freezer-storage tips, as many of you love making this ahead for gifting.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Muddy Buddies Recipe
- What Are Muddy Buddies (aka puppy Chow)
- Ingredients for this muddy buddies recipe
- How to Make Muddy Buddies (step-by-step)
- Troubleshooting
- Expert Tips For The Best Puppy Chow
- Storage Notes
- Frequently asked questions About Muddy Buddies – FAQ
- Easy Muddy buddies recipe Recipe
Ingredients for this muddy buddies recipe
Exact amount in the recipe card below
- Chex mix– rice or corn variety
- Creamy Peanut butter-for the perfect silky coating
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips-melts smooth & balances sweetness
- Vanilla-flavor depth
- Powdered sugar-the iconic snowy finish
Nut-free version: Use sunflower seed butter.
Vegan version: Use vegan chocolate + dairy-free butter.
How to Make Muddy Buddies (step-by-step)
- Melt coating
Microwave chocolate + peanut butter in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth. - Mix
Pour over cereal and gently fold to coat evenly, be patient so cereal stays crunchy.
- Shake with powdered sugar
Add half the powdered sugar to a large bag, add coated cereal, top with the rest of the sugar, seal, and shake to coat. - Set & enjoy
Spread on parchment so pieces cool and dry evenly.
Gifting Tips
- Portion into treat bags with ribbon
- Store flat so pieces don’t crush
- Add festive candy/stickers for holiday trays
- Pro tip: Freeze batches ahead and bag the day you gift for max freshness.
Troubleshooting
- Too wet / clumpy? Add powdered sugar in layers & toss gently.
- Powder sugar not sticking? Let mixture cool slightly before shaking.
- Too sweet? Swap half the chocolate for dark chocolate or add a pinch of salt.
- Not enough coating? Double the sugar toss method (bag → shake → tray → 2nd toss).
Expert Tips For The Best Puppy Chow
- Use two large bowls or a large ziplock bag to toss the cereal without crushing it.
- Add powdered sugar in layers for even coating.
- Let set at room temperature before storing.
- For ultra-even coverage, stir coating in with a silicone spatula.
Fun Variations
Try these delicious muddy buddy flavor twists:
- Christmas: Red & green M&M’s, crushed candy canes
- Peanut Butter Cup: Mini Reese’s cups, peanut butter drizzle
- Cookies & Cream: Crushed Oreos + white chocolate drizzle
- Valentine’s: Pink sprinkles, strawberry white chocolate drizzle
- S’mores: Mini marshmallows + graham cracker crumbs
- Birthday Cake: White chocolate + rainbow sprinkles
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle caramel & sprinkle sea salt
- Chocolate Lovers: Chocolate chips + cocoa + chocolate drizzle
Storage Notes
Place the mixture in a freezer-safe bag, or an airtight container, and store according to the instructions below.
- Room temperature: 5 days, airtight
- Fridge: 2 weeks
- Freezer: 3 months (yes, they freeze beautifully!)
Pro tip: Freeze in snack-size bags for portion-controlled treats.
Frequently asked questions About Muddy Buddies – FAQ
Yes, toggle 2x or 3x in the recipe card for the larger batch recipe.
If you mixed your cereal too aggressively or didn’t let them set enough, you could run into this issue. Let the mixture cool down fully before storing.
Yes! Any creamy nut/seed butter works really well in this recipe!
Of course! It’s one of the best kid-friendly holiday recipes ever!
Yes, this Muddy Buddies recipe is gluten-free when you use Chex brand and gluten-free chocolate.
Easy Muddy buddies recipe
Ingredients
- 3 & 2/3 cup Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar add more if desired
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between every time. Stir in the vanilla until combined.
- Add in the Chex cereal, and gently fold until they are all coated in the chocolate peanut butter mixture.
- In a gallon size bag, add in 1/2 the amount of powdered sugar, top it with the Chex mix, then add in the rest of the powdered sugar. Close the bag and shake to coat.
- Transfer the muddy buddies onto a parchement or wax paper lined baking sheet and let it set and cool for 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! I’ve made this along with the “Festive” and “Valentines” mix for my 7&8 yr Olds school along with a batch for home! 😉
I would LOVE it if you could start incorporating different varieties of the mix for each holiday!!!!
(easter, patriotic, halloween, fall, etc)
Sense this is such a easy recipe, it’s something I love that my kids can help with. And they love telling their teachers & classmates that they helped make it too!
Hopefully you can have sometime to come up with the ideas and post them as well!
I’m glad you and your family enjoyed the recipes, I’ll see what I can do!😊