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Muddy Buddies Recipe

5 from 2 votes
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posted: 05/03/22

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Perfect for parties and great for gifting, this is a Muddy Buddies recipe you won’t be able to get enough of. Call it Puppy Chow or call it Muddy Buddies, this is the delicious treat that everyone loves!

a blue detailed bowl against a dark surface overflowing with a puppy chow recipe

Muddy Buddies are one of my favorites treats to make and eat! I can eat far too many in one sitting, so I have to be careful how often I make it. This is the best puppy chow recipe, and I find it irresistible.

Mostly, I love to make them to gift to others. Simple no bake treats, like haystacks and easy fudge, are perfect for giving to others, and this puppy chow is definitely on that list.

overhead view of a measuring cup with chocolate chips, peanut butter, and half a stick fo butter

Puppy Chow Ingredients

Muddy buddies are made from he following delicious ingredients:

  • Chex Cereal: Chex Muddy Buddies are kind of a staple, and there is a reason. This cereal is the best for holding on to all the chocolate and peanut butter goodness. The other added bonus is that you can find the cereal easily in gluten free varieties. Both corn Chex and rice Chex cereal work fantastic here.
  • Chocolate Chips: My preference is milk chocolate chips, but you can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips if that is what you prefer or if that is what you have on hand.
  • Butter: I keep unsalted on hand for baking, and that works great here, but salted will be fine too.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: I highly suggest that you use creamy and not crunch peanut butter. The texture is much better for this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Powdered Sugar: I find it best to start with just 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and only add in the last 1/2 cup if it is strictly necessary.
pouring chocolate, butter, peanut butter mixture over Chex cereal to make muddy buddies

How to Make Muddy Buddies

I think one of the reasons this is such a popular recipe is because it is so simple and easy to make.

  1. Pour your cereal into a large mixing bowl. You want to pick a very large bowl for easy mixing. I also sometimes like to make this in a sealable container because then you can just put on the lid to shake the powdered sugar on. (This one can hold 14 cups.)
  2. Make the chocolate peanut butter sauce. In a glass measuring cup, microwave the butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips together.
  3. Add vanilla. Stir vanilla extract into the chocolate mixture and continue stirring until smooth.
  4. Combine the sauce and the cereal. Pour the mixture over the cereal and mix really well. I find it easiest to mix with clean hands.
  5. Coat with powdered sugar. Put the whole mixture into a plastic bag. (Unless you are using a large plastic container.) Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and toss to coat. If necessary, add the reaming 1/2 cup powdered sugar and toss again.
overhead view of a glass mixing bowl that is full of Chex cereal that has been coated in melted chocolate/peanut butter/butter to make muddy buddies
overhead view of muddy buddies in a plastic zip locked bag after they have been tossed with powdered sugar

Storing Muddy Buddies Recipe

Puppy Chow should be stored in an airtight container and is best if eaten within 1 to 2 weeks. If they aren’t stored in a well sealed container they will go stale very quickly. Muddy Buddies do not need to be refrigerated, they can be stored in your parntry.

Freezing Puppy Chow

You can freeze this muddy buddies recipe, but I would proceed with caution because it is DELICIOUS frozen. Maybe even better. I may or may not have been caught red handed eating puppy chow straight from the freezer by my children.

extremely close up view of puppy chow

FAQ

Why is it called Puppy Chow?

This delicious snack is sometimes referred to as puppy chow because some think it looks like food for dogs. That being said, please don’t feed this to your dogs, it is not good for them.

Can Muddy Buddies be frozen?

Not only can they be frozen, they are amazingly delicious when frozen.

Can Puppy Chow be made gluten free?

Yes! You can easily find gluten free Chex cereal that would be perfect for this recipe. As with all recipes, make sure you check the labels of all ingredients to ensure they are gluten free.

We have a peanut allergy, what can I use instead?

I have had readers who swear by Wow Butter. It is peanut free but acts like peanut butter in baking and cooking recipes.

What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies?

There is no difference, they are the same delicious treat that just goes by different names.

overhead view of puppy chow in a bowl

Variations

This is a great base recipe. One of my favorite variations is Funfetti Cake Batter Muddy Buddies, with a great cake flavor.

This recipe would also be really great with Nutella in place of the peanut butter.

But really, the possibilities are endless. Here are some of the more random variations I’ve made:

muddy buddies being poured out of a paper bag onto a wood platter
a blue detailed bowl against a dark surface overflowing with a puppy chow recipe
5 from 2 votes

Muddy Buddy Recipe

Serves: 20 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Call it Puppy Chow or call it Muddy Buddies, this is the delicious treat that everyone loves! Perfect for parties and great for gifting, this is a snack you won't be able to get enough of.

Ingredients

  • 9 cups chex cereal (276.9 grams)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (170 grams)
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (135 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (56.5 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar divided (227 grams)

Instructions

  • Add the cereal to a large bowl.
    9 cups chex cereal
  • In a large measuring cup, melt the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter together on high for 1 minutes. Stir together. Stir in the vanilla extract and stir the mixture until smooth.
    1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pour the mixture over the cereal. Stir to combine. Use clean hands if necessary.
  • Pour the mixture into a clean plastic bag. Pour 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar over the mixture and shake to combine. If necessary add the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar into the bag and toss to combine.
    2 cups powdered sugar
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. See instructions in the post for freezing.
Serving: 0.5cup Calories: 242kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 37g (12%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 10mg (3%) Sodium: 160mg (7%) Potassium: 37mg (1%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 25g (28%) Vitamin A: 8IU Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) Calcium: 6mg (1%) Iron: 29mg (161%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
a blue detailed bowl against a dark surface overflowing with a puppy chow recipe

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Muddy Buddy Recipe

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. CHEREE says

    Blahahah…red handed. I enjoy reading your posts and I like your recipes too. I’ve used a few only because I’ve just started following.

    • Lisa Longley says

      Thank you Cheree!

  2. Elaine says

    5 stars
    Can the Chex be replaced with something else? I don’t like Chex cereal.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m sorry Elaine, I’ve only made this with Chex. I’m struggling to come up with another cereal that would work as a replacement.

  3. Karen says

    5 stars
    I would give this recipe more stars if I could. I use Crispix in the place of Chex, just personal preference. For St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas I add mint M&M’s…takes this deliciousness to a whole new level.
    Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your joy!

  4. Mel says

    Which type of Chex do you use?
    Rice. Corn. Or wheat?

    • Lisa Longley says

      You could use rice or corn. I prefer rice.

  5. Gerri says

    Lisa, on the puppy chow can you use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I haven’t tried it with crunchy peanut butter. I would suspect it would work, but would definitely add a different texture.

  6. clarissa says

    fot sure i will try this. i love cho. thank.

  7. Bonnie says

    I am just starting to follow you and look forward to you recipes. What I have seen so far looks delicious. I am looking forward to making your Puppy Chow for people.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you love it!

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