About Brownie Puppy Chow
Whatever you call this fun snack, one of the best things about it is that there are countless puppy chow recipe variations (or muddy buddy recipe variations, if that’s what you grew up calling it) to choose from. And, you guys, this recipe has to be my favorite version yet. Brownie puppy chow takes everything that’s great about the original (in all it’s sweet & crunchy) and taps into the richness of a classic brownie. Plus, if you’re a fan of trying new things to make with brownie mix, this treat is worthy of a whole box OR a great way to use up some leftover mix!
Now, I can probably guess what you’re thinking:
Chrisy, how can any recipe possibly improve upon a classic like puppy chow?! It’s timeless for a reason!
Well, I have to agree with you there – a classic is simply impossible to beat – but you can come up with new ways to enjoy what you already love.
Besides, this recipe isn’t meant to replace the classic; it’s simply paying homage to it by breathing new life into all those childhood memories.
And, I have to say, if you were lucky enough to have childhood memories of this chocolate peanut butter treat – I envy you. I didn’t discover this snack until I was well into my twenties. I have no idea how I managed to survive that long without this in my life, but my best guess is that this snack void was yet another casualty of my childhood pickiness of food.
Because, yes, I totally was that annoying little girl that would turn her nose up at “chocolate” and “peanut butter” just because didn’t come in a short list of acceptable forms.
As crazy as it seems to me now, if someone offered me a large handful of muddy buddy goodness like the one pictured below, I would have made a frowny face worthy of the record books.
Thank goodness I grew up (and wised up)!
But wait, what is puppy chow?
Despite the funny sounding name, this recipe isn’t for the dogs – it’s for anyone who loves a sweet and crunchy treat with the slightest hint of salt.
Ultimately, “puppy chow” refers to any recipe made with Chex cereal that’s been coated in various sweet candies and sugars.
What are the other names for puppy chow?
Depending on where you’re from, you might have learned to call this sweet-and-crunchy treat by another name. Here are some of the most popular:
- Monkey Munch
- Muddy Buddies
- Muddy Munch
- Reindeer Chow
What can you add to puppy chow?
Puppy chow is always good by itself, but sometimes it’s fun to jazz it up with some other candy. Here are a few of my favorites:
- M&M’s, any flavor
- Whoopers
- Hershey bars, chopped up
- Reese’s Pieces
- Sprinkles, any type
Notes & tips for puppy chow recipe variations like this
- When making this recipe, you’ll need a big mixing bowl so you have enough room to maneuver and stir. I own a 13 quart mixing bowl for this very reason.
- For the dry brownie mix, I used Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix, simply because I tend to like the flavor. However, there are plenty of brownie mixes to pick from – choose your favorite brand and brownie flavor (or even use a homemade mix!)
- Many recipes for muddy buddies call for vanilla extract, but I didn’t feel it was needed in this case; the brownie mix holds the flavor up pretty well. That being said, if you’d still like to add vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon should be plenty.
- Looking for more creative brownie recipes? Be sure to check out Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies, and Brownie Parfaits with Nutella Syrup.
- And if all this talk of brownies has you craving classic brownies instead, be sure to check out this recipe for Ultimate Brownies.
More puppy chow recipes
Recipe Details
Brownie Puppy Chow
Whether you call them puppy chow or muddy buddies, you're sure to love this bakery makeover of the classic crunchy & sweet snack with rich brownie flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a microwave-safe bowl, add milk chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue to heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals until chocolate chips are soft. Using a whisk or a fork, stir chocolate and peanut butter until smooth.
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Add Chex cereal to a 13 quart mixing bowl. Pour chocolate-peanut butter mixture on top and gently stir with a spatula until all Chex cereal is coated. Set bowl aside.
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Set a baking sheet nearby and cover with parchment paper.
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Add dry brownie mix to a Ziploc bag (gallon sized). Working in batches (about 1-2 cups at a time), add coated Chex cereal to bag with brownie mix, seal or twist the top of the bag closed, and then shake the bag until the Chex cereal is coated with brownie mix. Remove finished brownie puppy chow and spread out on prepared baking sheet. Repeat step until all the puppy chow is made. When finished, discard plastic bag and any dry brownie mix that remains inside.
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Let brownie puppy chow cool completely before eating. Once cooled, transfer to a sealed container and store for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen.
I didn’t discover puppy chow until I was in my 20s either…sad, sad thing.
I love puppy chow and this looks anazing! I am excited to give it a try…and probably eat it all myself! ????
Thanks, Laura! It’s so difficult to share 😉
But you don’t bake it? isn’t there raw flour in brownie mix? I don’t think this is ok to eat.
“Raw Flour” is perfectly safe to eat. If it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, you should be able to eat it “uncooked” How do you think they make all the cookie dough flavored things with cookie dough pieces……..uncooked flour. I have never made this so I am going to go through the first few steps and open a brownie mix bag to mix up a little in it. If I like it, I will do the rest in the brownie mix, if not powdered sugar it is.
Yes, no harm in raw flour. Lol. It’s raw eggs you have to avoid. Raw flour…totally safe. 😊 I’ve never heard of using the brownie mix! I’m gonna try it right now! Yay me!!!
DO YOU PUT THIS IN OVEN? LAST STEP LET COOL DON’T UNDERSTAND.
Hey Mar! For the cooling step, this refers to the chocolate and peanut butter that’s microwaved. It will still be hot when you’re pouring it over the Chex cereal, and it should still be warm even after you’re done coating it with brownie mix. The cooling step is to allow the chocolate to harden.
🤣
This is awsome and super easy! The only thing I did different was that I placed the brownie mix in a large paper bag and then put all of the chocolate chex in the sack and shook it all up at once! Worked great! Quick, easy and a family favorite!
5 stars all the way!
How do you take the small ( 1-2 cup) amounts out of the dry brownie mix to set aside while you do the next batch? You can’t just dump it out on the tray…slotted spoon?