✔ Updated · no-bake, step photos, plus freezing and storage answers
Puppy chow, also called muddy buddies, is crispy rice cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter and shaken in powdered sugar. It takes 15 minutes, needs no oven, and a bowl of it disappears faster than you'd believe.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Melt in short bursts and stir every time. Chocolate scorches fast in the microwave, and scorched chocolate turns thick and grainy.
Why You'll Love This Puppy Chow
- Six ingredients, and you probably have most of them already.
- No oven, just a microwave, a big bowl and a bag to shake.
- Freezer friendly, so you can stash a batch for parties and lunchboxes.
Why Is It Called Puppy Chow?
The sugar-dusted pieces look a bit like a bowl of dry dog food, and the name stuck. It's the same snack as muddy buddies, and you'll also hear it called monkey munch.
It's a classic Midwest party snack, and it's the kind of thing that turns up at every bake sale and potluck.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use a bigger bowl than you think. Nine cups of cereal needs room to fold without crushing. I use my biggest mixing bowl and a wide spatula.
- Fold, don't stir. Rice cereal squares break easily. Gentle folds from the bottom keep the pieces whole.
- Shake in two batches. If your bag is smaller than 2 gallons, split the cereal and sugar in half. An overfilled bag means bald patches. Max has appointed himself official bag shaker in our house, and he takes it very seriously.
- Let it dry. Spreading it on a sheet pan for 10 to 15 minutes stops it going soggy and clumpy in the container.
- Swap the nut butter. Almond butter or sunflower seed butter both work. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter and check the chocolate chips are made in a nut-free facility.
- Keep it away from the dog. The name is a joke. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, so this is a people-only snack.
Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
18
servings (1/2 cup)10
minutes2
minutes230
kcal25
minutesClassic puppy chow, also called muddy buddies: crispy rice cereal squares coated in melted chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla, then shaken in a bag of powdered sugar. No baking, ready in about 15 minutes. Snack for people only: chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Ingredients
9 cups crispy rice cereal squares
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- Measure the cereal into a very large bowl.
- Put the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then heat in 15-second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and fold gently with a big spatula until every piece is evenly coated.
- Tip the coated cereal into a 2-gallon zip-top bag, add the powdered sugar, seal and shake until everything is well coated.
- Spread the puppy chow out on a parchment-lined sheet pan and let it cool and dry for 10 to 15 minutes, so it stays crisp. Serve, or store airtight.
Notes
- You can easily substitute out the peanut butter for those with allergies, seed butter works a charm.
- Chilling your ingredients for this recipe is key to making sure these turn out perfectly, prior to adding the powdered sugar.
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Easy Variations
- White chocolate: swap in white chocolate chips and add a handful of freeze-dried strawberries.
- Cinnamon: use cinnamon cereal squares and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the powdered sugar.
- Holiday mix: stir in candy-coated chocolates and mini pretzels after the sugar coating.
- Cookies and cream: fold in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies at the end.
- Extra peanutty: add a handful of salted peanuts for crunch.
More No-Bake Treats
If this is your kind of snack, try my peanut butter cornflake cookies or a no-bake Oreo cheesecake. For a party bowl with a fruity twist, there's my Watergate salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze puppy chow?
Yes, puppy chow freezes well. Pack it in airtight freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then give it a gentle shake with a spoonful of extra powdered sugar if the coating looks patchy.
Does puppy chow need to be refrigerated?
No. Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. In a very hot or humid kitchen, the fridge helps stop the chocolate softening and the sugar turning sticky.
What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies?
They are the same snack. Muddy buddies is the name the cereal maker uses on its own version, while puppy chow is the nickname most families use. Some people also call it monkey munch or reindeer chow at Christmas.
Why is my puppy chow soggy?
Usually the coated cereal went into the container while still warm, or it got too much chocolate mixture for the amount of cereal. Spread it out to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before storing, and measure the cereal generously.
Can dogs eat puppy chow?
No. Despite the name, puppy chow is for people only. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the sugar and butter aren't good for them either. Keep the bowl out of reach of pets.
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