Puppy Chow
The classic puppy chow: crunchy Chex cereal covered in chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar. It’s the ultimate sugary snack food (and perfect for gifting, too)!
This post contains affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy.
Table of Contents
About Puppy Chow
Whenever a snack craving hits you, homemade puppy chow is always a solid choice, because… chocolate. And peanut butter. And sugar.
I mean, c’mon! You know what I’m talking about here. Puppy chow Chex mix is one of those foods that easily fits any situation thanks to its salty sweetness and sugary crunchiness.
Plus, it’s not too rich, so you can slowly graze on it to your heart’s content.
But wait, what is puppy chow?
Despite the odd-sounding name, this recipe isn’t for the pups. 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 types of chocolate and sugar. It has roots in the central US and gets its name for resembling puppy chow – just for humans.
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 all by itself, but sometimes it’s fun to jazz it up with sweet candies or a salty crunch. Here are a few of my favorites:
- M&M’s, any flavor
- Whoopers
- Hershey bars, chopped up
- Reese’s Pieces
- Sprinkles, any type
- Pretzels, broken up a bit
How long is puppy chow good for?
Once made, cooled, and stored in a sealed container, puppy chow will remain good at room temperature for up to one to two weeks.
Can you make puppy chow ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! Because it can last up to two weeks, it’s great for making in batches for parties or giving away as gifts.
Notes & tips for this puppy chow recipe
- 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.
- If you’re running short on ingredients, you can exclude the butter and vanilla.
More puppy chow recipes
How to make puppy chow
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter, then microwave it until the chocolate has melted (for best results, follow the instructions on the bag of chips.)
Step 2 – Quickly add the vanilla extract, then stir well.
Step 3 – Add the Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl (I like using a 13-quart mixing bowl), then pour the melted chocolate mixture on top. Use a spatula to gently toss to mix until all the cereal is coated. Tip: while mixing, dig under the cereal, then pull up.
Step 4 – Add powdered sugar to a ZipLoc bag. Working in batches, scoop in a portion of the coated Chex cereal, seal the bag, then shake to coat the cereal in powdered sugar. Repeat this step until all the puppy chow is coated.
Step 5 – Spread the puppy chow out on a flat surface (like a baking sheet) and allow it to cool, dry, and set.
Step 6 – Serve and enjoy!
Puppy Chow Chex Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (1 stick)
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add milk chocolate chips, peanut butter, and 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.
- Quickly add vanilla to bowl, then mix until incorporated.
- 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.
- Set a baking sheet nearby and cover with parchment paper (optional).
- Add powdered sugar to a Ziploc bag (gallon sized). Working in batches (about 1-2 cups at a time), add coated Chex cereal to bag with powdered sugar, seal or twist the top of the bag closed, and then shake the bag until the Chex cereal is coated with sugar. Remove finished 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 powdered sugar that remains inside.
- Let puppy chow cool, dry, and set, about 1 hour.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
