Muddy Buddies

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This is the best Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) recipe ever! It uses only a handful of simple ingredients to create a chocolatey snack that is completely irresistible!

Overhead picture of muddy buddies in a large bowl. Some spilled out of the bowl.

I can’t believe I haven’t put this on the blog yet! It is one of my favorite treats, and I know there are so many recipes out there for muddy buddies, but I like mine the best because it makes bigger clusters of chocolatey goodness.

Another chocolate recipe we have been making on repeat is this No Churn Dark Chocolate Ice Cream. It’s rich and decadent and the perfect way to end any meal. Or this Dark Chocolate Pudding, which is one of my kid’s favorite treats! And these Frosted Brownies bring back so many childhood memories.

Things I Love Most About This Muddy Buddies Recipe

  • It is an incredibly easy recipe to make and perfect for kids to get started in the kitchen with!
  • It can make a large batch, perfect for taking to parties or feeding a crowd.
  • Made with more chocolate than most recipes.
  • Creates large clusters full of chocolate.
  • It’s a great recipe for making ahead, and it’s also freezer-friendly.
Ingredients: chocolate, peanut butter, butter, cereal, vanilla, and powdered sugar.

Ingredient Notes

CHOCOLATE: Use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate. I personally love dark chocolate. Allergy-friendly chocolate chips also work in this recipe.

CEREAL: Many people use Rice Chex cereal or the generic brand, but I have also had it made with Crispex cereal.

PEANUT BUTTER: If you have peanut allergies, feel free to substitute your favorite nut butter for peanut butter.

Two pictures showing how to melt the chocolate peanut butter mixture.

How To Make Muddy Buddies

This is just a quick overview of the method for this puppy chow recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

STEP 1: In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Melt in short intervals in the microwave, stirring well each time until smooth. Or melt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat just until smooth.

STEP 2: Pour over cereal in a large bowl. Mix well to coat the cereal.

STEP 3: Pour the cereal into a large resealable bag. Add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake to coat the cereal. Allow to dry and harden. May toss again with more powdered sugar if desired.

Three pictures showing how to coat the cereal in the chocolate mixture and then in powdered sugar.

FAQs

HOW TO STORE MUDDY BUDDIES?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. This happens to be my personal favorite way to eat it: straight from the freezer!!

IS IT MUDDY BUDDIES OR PUPPY CHOW?

They are both the same thing, and it depends on where you are from as to what you call it. Most Midwesterners call it puppy chow, and that is what I grew up calling it, too, but many people know it as muddy buddies.

HOW DO YOU MAKE MUDDY BUDDIES ALLERGY-FRIENDLY?

You can replace the peanut butter with your favorite nut butter. Some good alternatives are cashew butter, almond butter, or even SunButter.

Overhead view of children's hands reaching into the bowl to grab some puppy chow.

Variations

Here are some ideas of different things you can add to puppy chow to change it up.

  • M&Ms
  • Broken up Kit Kat bars
  • Chopped peanut butter cups
  • Reeses Pieces
  • Chocolate chips
  • Add shredded coconut when mixing the cereal and chocolate
  • Chopped up candy bars

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Close up of muddy buddies.
Close up of muddy buddies.

Muddy Buddies

Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: monkey munch, muddy buddies, puppy chow
This is the best Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) recipe ever! It uses only a handful of simple ingredients to create a chocolatey snack that is completely irresistible!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 18
Calories: 490kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
Print Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 oz) (340g) box rice Chex cereal (about 10 cups)
  • cups (500g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • cups (345g) peanut butter
  • ½ cup (113g) butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups (360g) confectioners sugar

Instructions

  • Pour cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter just until smooth. Can also place in a bowl and microwave in 60 second intervals and stir well in between each interval.
  • Stir in vanilla. Pour over the cereal and mix gently until the cereal is covered with chocolate. Pour cereal into a large ziploc bag. (May need to do this in 2 batches) Add confectioners sugar to the bag and seal well. Shake to coat the cereal.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet (or 2) to let cool and harden. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. STORAGE: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  2. NUTRITION: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

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