Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (2024)

I can’t think of a more popular party snack than Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow), made with Chex cereal coated in a chocolate, peanut butter and powdered powdered sugar.

Looking for a more fun snack ideas? You may like these Chocolate Chip Muffins, No Bake Granola Bars, or Classic Chocolate Cupcakes.

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (1)

Did you grow up calling this amazing snack “muddy buddies”, or “puppy chow?” Or maybe you called it “Monkey Munch” or “reindeer chow?” We grew up saying muddy buddies, but I think puppy chow more accurately represents the scene as people race to scarf down this favorite snack.

What I LOVE about Puppy Chow:

  • Adaptable: make this recipe your own with any kind of add-in (see ideas below).
  • Feeds a crowd: it’s so easy to throw this snack together and you can make enough to feed a large group. (And trust me, your going to need enough to feed a large group!)
  • Shelf life: You can make it ahead of time, or freeze it!

How to Make Muddy Buddies:

1. Pour Chex into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Divide powdered sugar.Divide powdered sugar between two ziplock bags, adding 1 cup to each bag.* Set aside.

3. Melt in saucepan: chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter (and salt, if using unsalted butter) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. (Don’t over-heat it, you want to heat it just until the mixture is smooth.)

4. Add vanilla. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (2)5. Coat cereal. Pour over the prepared cereal in the bowl and stir to coat evenly. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

6. Shake with powdered sugar. Divide coated cereal between the two ziplock bags with powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake to coat the cereal.

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (3)

Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:

To make ahead: Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature

To freeze: Place muddy buddies in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Substitutions and Add-in’s:

  • Peanut butter substitutes: any type of nut butter will work
  • Cereal Substitutes: Crispix could also be used.
  • Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies
  • Add M&M’s
  • Add Reeses pieces
  • Add Mini chocolate chips
  • Add Reeses peanut butter cups
  • Add Any small color candies

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (4)

Try one of these cereal treats:

  • Chex mix
  • Almond Coconut Chex mix
  • Butterscotch Cereal Bars
  • Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bites

You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTERESTfor more great recipes!

Recipe

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (5)

5 from 650 votes

Muddy Buddies

I can't think of a more popular party snack than Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow), made with Chex cereal coated in a chocolate, peanut butter and powdered powdered sugar.

Print Pin Review

Author Lauren Allen

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 720

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 8 cups chex cereal (rice Chex, corn Chex or a combination)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter , or add a pinch salt if using unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Measure cereal into a large bowl. Set aside. Divide powdered sugar between two ziplock bags, adding 1 cup to each bag.* Set aside.

  • In a saucepan add chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter (and salt, if using unsalted butter) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. (Don’t over-heat it--just warm it until melted and smooth.)

  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

  • Pour over the prepared cereal in the bowl and stir to coat evenly. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

  • Divide coated cereal between the two ziplock bags with powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake to coat the cereal.

  • 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.

Notes

*If you don’t have ziplock bags on hand you could use a large container with a lid to shake them, or spread the mixture onto a large baking sheet and sift the powdered sugar over it, tossing to evenly coat.

Peanut butter: can be substituted with another type of nut butter

Cereal: Crispix could also be used.

Add-in ideas:

  • M&M’s
  • Reeses pieces
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Reeses peanut butter cups
  • Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies
  • Any small color candies

Make ahead Instructions: Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature

Freezing Instructions: Place muddy buddies in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 720kcalCarbohydrates: 103gProtein: 14gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 518mgPotassium: 577mgFiber: 12gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 851IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 22mg

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Categories

  • Dessert
  • Freezer Friendly
  • Kid Friendly Recipes
  • No-Bake Desserts
  • Snacks/Misc.

About The Author

Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (10)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow) (2024)

FAQs

Is puppy chow the same as muddy buddies? ›

This classic chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar Chex™ Mix recipe has been a beloved part of families' kitchens for years. Transform Chex™ cereal into a delicious treat in just 15 minutes. We call it Muddy Buddies™, but you may know it as Puppy Chow.

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 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.

Does puppy chow go bad? ›

Easy answer: yes, your sack of dry dog food will go stale much faster if you leave it open. Unopened dry dog food tends to have a shelf life of around 12-18 months, but once you open it, you should aim to use it up in about 6 weeks.

Why is puppy chow hard to find? ›

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. In this case, these supply chain issues are significantly impacting smaller stores.

What is the Southern name for puppy chow? ›

This quick, no-bake puppy snack mix will also answer to other names such as Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, or Reindeer Chow. Think of it as sweet chocolate and peanut butter Chex mix. You need only pantry basics to make a big batch of this snack, so you might have already have everything on hand.

Who invented Chex mix? ›

The recipe was created by the Ralston-Purina Company in the early 1950s to move boxes of its signature cereals Wheat Chex and Rice Chex. There was no corn variety at the time. Since then, the company has gone through a handful of ownership changes and today is part of General Mills.

Are muddy buddies a Midwest thing? ›

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.

Can Chex mix be frozen? ›

To freeze: Chex mix freezes great! Store in freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Serve immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

What is the fancy name for Chex Mix? ›

Chex mix (aka nuts n' bolts), a classic American snack that's a staple in American homes, especially during football games and holiday gatherings, combines Chex cereal with nuts and other bite-sized treats, seasoned and baked until crispy.

Why are they called Chex? ›

The name "Chex" reflects the square checkerboard logo of Ralston Purina.

Is puppy chow only 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.

Are rice Chex GF? ›

Did you know? Satisfying Rice Chex Cereal was the first mainstream, ready-to-eat, gluten free cereal for breakfast and beyond. A few recipe favorites include Original Chex Mix, Honey-Sriracha Chex Mix and the ever-famous Muddy Buddies.

How many kinds of Chex are there? ›

9. varieties ranging from sweet to simple to gluten-free.

What age is puppy chow for? ›

Breed size matters
Breed SizeWeightRecommended time to switch to adult food
Small Breeds4-20 pounds6-9 months
Medium Breeds20-50 pounds12-16 months
Large Breeds50-80 pounds18-24 months
Giant Breeds80+ pounds24 months

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.

Who owns puppy chow? ›

Puppy Chow, a brand of dog food marketed by Nestlé Purina PetCare.

Is puppy chow a wisconsin thing? ›

The puppy chow belt runs through the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, fanning out into the surrounding areas. There it is at every potluck, picnic, and holiday party table. Children learn to make it early and often.

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.

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