Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

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10 minutes mins

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 11/30/2021

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This puppy chow recipe will quickly become a favorite. It’s easy to make and everyone loves it!

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: Ummm, because it tastes so good?!

How long it takes: 10 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: microwave safe bowl, microwave
Servings: makes 9 cups – you decide how many servings that is!

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (1)

Table of Contents close

  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About This Puppy Chow Recipe
  • 3 What You’ll Need
  • 4 How To Make Puppy Chow
  • 5 FAQs
  • 6 Make It Your Own
  • 7 Storage Tips
  • 8 More Easy Treats
  • 9 Get the Recipe: Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies)

Puppy Chow. Muddy Buddies. Where do I begin with my love for these?

Actually, if we’re being honest, I have a love-hate relationship with anything with powdered sugar on it.

I love it because, well, it’s powdered sugar.

I hate it because, well, IT GETS EVERYWHERE! EVVVVERYWHERE. Don’t even get me started on the kids eating stuff like this (They don’t. I do it in hiding.). Even making any recipe that involves powdered sugar is bound to end up with a major disaster requiring a lot of cleaning.

Okay, maybe that’s exaggerating just a wee bit.

When powdered sugar is paired with crispy cereal, chocolate and peanut butter — well, I’d clean up pounds of the stuff if necessary. This is what snacking is meant to be. Finger licking good. Literally.

I made this puppy chow for my son’s 1st birthday party. I threw him a “Winter ONEderland” party and the puppy chow attended disguised as “little snowflakes.” They fit the part pretty well, don’t you think? I served them up in little snack cups to cut down on the mess a little bit, and they were a huge hit. How could they not be?

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2)

About This Puppy Chow Recipe

Do we need to review? CHOCOLATE. PEANUT BUTTER. POWDERED SUGAR.

And the great part is, this homemade treat is incredibly easy to make. I’ll run through the recipe here and give you a few extra tips. You should probably go ahead and get started right now!

As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card near the end of the post with complete instructions and nutrition information.

What You’ll Need

  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: You could use milk chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips if you like but I’m a dark chocolate fan so I’ll always stick to semi-sweet.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: We’re talking about regular creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. I don’t think natural peanut butters would work as well.
  • Butter: Either unsalted or salted is fine. It’s best if it’s at room temperature and not rock hard so it melts easily with the chocolate chips and peanut butter.
  • Rice Chex Cereal: Did you know that this cereal is gluten-free? Crispix or other types of Chex can be substituted, such as Corn Chex or even Chocolate Chex (my personal favorite).
  • Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Yup, lots of it to give the puppy chow its snowy appearance.
Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (3)

How To Make Puppy Chow

Measure out the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments and stir well each time. Don’t overheat the mixture. Sometimes just stirring it thoroughly completes the melting process.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

For our friends who don’t have microwaves – it’s easy to do on the stovetop as well. Just put the three ingredients into a small saucepan and heat gently, stirring constantly.

Once the mixture is melted, stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and mix until the cereal is coated with chocolate.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (5)

Throw the whole shebang in a bag full of powdered sugar. Shake-shake-shake and you have puppy chow.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (6)

Put it into a serving bowl and chow down! Bark bark! Ruff Ruff! Guau Guau! Or whatever dog sound you want to make. I’ll say Yum Yum!

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (7)

FAQs

Why is it called puppy chow?

Apparently it’s called puppy chow because it (somewhat) resembles dog food. I don’t think I’ve ever seen white dog food but hey, whatever. It’s kind of a cute name. It may be a Midwest thing.
According to Wikipedia, it’s also called monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag!

Can dogs eat puppy chow?

Hmmmm, NO! This is not dog food by any stretch of the imagination. Keep this “puppy chow” away from your puppies as it can cause them to become sick.

Is there a difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies?

Nope, they are one and the same. This snack started as puppy chow and General Mills caught on to its popularity and started marketing it as Muddy Buddies.

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (8)

Make It Your Own

I saw CHOCOLATE Chex cereal at the store and couldn’t resist adding a little more chocolate goodness to this snack. Not at all necessary, but more chocolate is never, ever, ever a bad thing. Ever.

Storage Tips

Store puppy chow in an airtight container after it’s completely cool. It will keep for a couple of weeks. Will it last that long? Probably not. Unless you hide it.

More Easy Treats

The Best Rice Krispies TreatsS’mores PopcornCinnamon Toast Crunch BarsPeanut Butter Trail Mix Recipe

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (13)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies)

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

18 servings

Print Rate Recipe

This puppy chow recipe will quickly become a favorite. It's easy to make and everyone loves it!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
  • cup butter
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 9 cups Rice Chex cereal (see note)
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)

Instructions

  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second increments in the microwave. Stir after each increment until smooth. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.

  • Add the Rice Chex cereal to the bowl and gently toss with a spatula to coat the cereal in the chocolate sauce.

  • When the cereal has been completely coated, spoon it into a large zip-lock bag. (You may have to do this in batches if the bag is not big enough to hold all the cereal). Pour in the confectioners' sugar and seal the bag.

  • Toss the cereal in the confectioners' sugar to coat.

  • When the cereal is completely coated in the confectioners' sugar, remove it from the bag and put it into a serving bowl.

  • Serve at room temperature. Makes 9 cups.

Notes

  • Substitute other types of Chex cereal (try Chocolate Chex if it’s available!) or Crispix cereal, if desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 177mg, Potassium: 183mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 265IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 6mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Gina says

    Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (21)
    Just made this and it’s PERFECT!! Absolutely perfect proportions. It won’t last the day. ♥️

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      So glad you like it! Thanks for leaving a review!

      Reply

  2. Happy Valley Chow says

    One of my favorite treats! Just sooo perfect :)

    Happy Blogging!

    Reply

  3. Traci says

    I like the idea of chocolate chex as well. It’s funny to me that some people haven’t heard of puppy chow, or “muddy buddies” — I grew up eating this stuff!

    Reply

  4. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    I love making these around Christmas time! They’re always a hit!I like that you used chocolate Chex in your recipe – I’ll try that next time!

    Reply

  5. Sues says

    I’ve NEVER tried muddy buddies/puppy chow, I think because the name puppy chow freaks me out :) But this looks so delicious, I wouldn’t be able to resist. I totally agree with you on powdered sugar!

    Reply

Puppy Chow Recipe (Muddy Buddies) Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? ›

There's sort of an ongoing debate about the name of this chocolate-covered cereal treat. Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies. Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal.

What came first puppy chow or muddy buddies? ›

In 2002 General Mills developed Muddy Buddies, the same recipe as Puppy Chow. But it can't be said that General Mills invented the recipe since Midwesterners recall seeing it and eating it long before the early 2000s.

Why did my muddy buddies get soggy? ›

Additionally, if you are looking for long term storage, Muddy Buddies can be kept in the freezer for 4 to 6 months. Why does my Puppy Chow get soggy? If you do not cool the Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow completely after you pour the chocolate on, the fats from the chocolate can break down the cereal and make it soggy.

How do I keep my puppy chow from getting soggy? ›

Why Is My Puppy Chow Soggy? After coating the cereal mixture with powdered sugar, don't rush the process. Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

Why is puppy chow hard to find? ›

Why is there a pet food shortage? If pet food aisles seem sparse, it's likely due to supply chain issues. A familiar issue lately for stores and consumers (especially over the past few years), supply chain issues have affected almost everything you can think of.

Can adults eat puppy chow? ›

Is it Bad for Adult Dogs to Continue Eating Puppy Food? Because puppy foods are formulated to deliver higher amounts of protein and fat, along with other nutrients needed for a puppy's rapid initial growth, feeding puppy food regularly to a healthy adult can cause unwanted weight gain, among other health problems.

What is a funny name for puppy chow? ›

Puppy chow, also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag, is the name for a homemade candy made in the United States, primarily in the Midwestern States.

Why is Chex Mix called puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

Is puppy chow just a Midwest thing? ›

Puppy chow is a party staple in the Midwest, but not everywhere else. Puppy chow — a snack mix made of Chex cereal covered in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar — is often a fixture at parties. People outside of the Midwest have often never heard of it, and they don't know what they're missing.

Why do my Muddy Buddies taste stale? ›

Second, make sure when you are finished making the recipe that the Muddy Buddies are stored in an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag. Air reaching the cereal, especially cold refrigerator or freezer air, will cause the cereal to get stale over time.

Why is my puppy chow clumpy? ›

Powdered sugar doesn't stick to hot Puppy Chow

If you were to make that fateful mistake, the powdered sugar would dissolve right into the warm chocolate and peanut butter, creating a clumpy mess instead of giving you the snowy aesthetic that makes puppy chow worth eating.

Why does my puppy chow go stale so fast? ›

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.

Should I soak puppy chow? ›

Therefore, we would always recommend soaking dry food for puppies in warm or hot water from the age of 3 to 4 weeks to help them eat it easier. It also helps provide your fur babies with essential water as at this stage they often don't drink enough on their own accord.

Does muddy buddies go bad? ›

Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Do you mix puppy chow with water? ›

Puppies' teeth aren't fully developed in their initial weeks. Softened kibble is gentle on their developing teeth and easier on their digestion. As for how to soften dog food for puppies, you can do so by mixing water or puppy milk replacer into the kibble and letting it soak.

What's another name for puppy chow? ›

Puppy chow, also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag, is the name for a homemade candy made in the United States, primarily in the Midwestern States.

What is the difference between puppy chow and regular dog food? ›

Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food. Some brands even add extra omega-3 fatty acids to puppy food to help with brain and eye development. On top of all of this, large-breed puppies have additional special needs.

What is puppy chow snack made of? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

Is puppy chow better than dog chow? ›

Puppy food does have slightly higher levels of calcium and phosphorous when compared to most adult dog foods. Puppy food also has a higher fat and protein content, meaning there are more calories per bite than the adult version of the same brand.

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