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Try my Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe for the most delicious and easy puppy chow snack mix you’ll ever eat! These Chex muddy buddies are a yummy no-bake, gluten-free treat and made healthier with less sugar.
Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe (Easy Puppy Chow)
One of my favorite party snack mixes EVER is Chex Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow), so today I’m so excited to share my Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe with you!
I almost always make these during the holidays, for New Year’s Eve, and Super Bowl Sunday, but I also love eating them throughout the year whenever the craving strikes.
My muddy buddies are a slightly healthier version of the classic Chex muddy buddies recipe with less sugar, and are unbelievably delicious.
These Muddy Buddies are sweet, crunchy, and the perfect easy snack mix dessert to make for your next party, game day, or weekend movie marathon.
Grab the full recipe below and check out my video tutorial over here! Don’t forget to subscribe here for weekly recipe videos.
What are Muddy Buddies (AKA Puppy Chow)?
Chex Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) is one of the BEST snack mix desserts you’ll ever eat!
There’s zero baking required and you can make puppy chow in a matter of minutes to satisfy your sweet tooth craving.
Muddy Buddies are a sweet cereal snack mix made quick and easy by coating Chex cereal in melted chocolate, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla, and tossing it in a coat of delicious powdered sugar.
Why Is It Called Puppy Chow?
Growing up in Virginia, this delectable treat was always called Puppy Chow. They say it’s because it has a similar look to dog food (which I personally don’t see), but regardless – I absolutely LOVE puppy chow/muddy buddies.
Just make sure you don’t try to feed this to your actual dogs – it’s for human consumption only! 🙂
Ingredients Needed for my Healthier Puppy Chow:
My puppy chow mix/Chex muddy buddies are made slightly healthier than the traditional muddy buddy recipes out there with less sugar.
I say healthier, because let’s be real – muddy buddies aren’t “healthy” no matter what way you spin it, but life is all about balance and you have to enjoy a sweet treat every now and then. 🙂
Below, I’ve outlined all the ingredients you’ll need!
Chex Cereal – You can use rice Chex, corn Chex, or a combination of the two if you prefer. You can also use Crispix cereal or even Quaker Oatmeal squares for more fiber.
Butter – This recipe only uses 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter as opposed to 4 tablespoons in the classic Chex Muddy Buddies recipe, because you truly don’t need the extra butter.
Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter is THE best in muddy buddies.
Although I love natural peanut butters for a lot of things, this is one recipe I recommend using a traditional style peanut butter, as natural peanut butter has too much oil separation.
My go-to lately is Simply JIF Peanut Butter which has less sodium and 33% less sugar than regular peanut butter.
Peanut Free Substitutions:
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Sun Butter
Chocolate Chips – My number one choice for muddy buddies is semi-sweet chocolate chips.
They have just the right amount of sweetness and are so easy to melt in a microwave safe bowl.
If you prefer, you can also substitute milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips. All are yummy!
Vanilla Extract – Adds such an amazing flavor and complexity to this recipe.
Powdered Sugar – Although many muddy buddy recipes out there use 1-2 cups of powdered sugar, I cut the sugar amount down to just 1/2 cup and it’s still absolutely delicious and plenty sweet.
You’re already getting sweetness from the cereal, peanut butter, and chocolate chips, so no need to go overboard on the sugar.
If you’re doing Keto, you could also try this recipe with Keto Sweet Confectioners Sugar to make it even healthier.
How to Make Chex Muddy Buddies
As mentioned above, muddy buddies couldn’t be more simple to make, and there’s zero baking required!
You can read/print the full recipe with ingredients in my recipe card below and watch my video tutorial over here.
Recommended Kitchen Tools:
- Large Microwave Safe Bowl
- Silicone Spatula
- Magnetic Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Large Resealable Bag
- Baking Sheet
- Pre-Cut Parchment Paper
- Airtight Storage Container
How to Melt Your Chocolate/Peanut Butter Mixture for Puppy Chow
I prefer making my muddy buddies using the microwave, but you can also use a stovetop if you prefer.
Microwave
Simply place your butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and vanilla in a large microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted.
I always microwave for 1 minute at first, stir, then add additional 30 second intervals until it’s melted and smooth.
Stovetop
If using a stovetop, turn your heat to medium, place ingredients in a non-stick pot, and stir occasionally until it is melted and smooth. This method takes a little longer, which is why I prefer the microwave.
Chex Muddy Buddies Variations & Mix-In Ideas:
The possibilities are endless when it comes to muddy buddies, and there are so many different flavor combinations you can try.
In addition to these classic muddy buddies, we love Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies (recipe coming soon!), Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies, Funfetti Muddy Buddies, and Caramel Muddy Buddies. Here are some other ideas to switch up your puppy chow mix:
- Add in sprinkles to make these muddy buddies more festive for parties or holidays
- Add in nuts such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, or walnuts to add some extra crunch to the mix
- Add in pretzels for a sweet and salty combo
- Add in M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, or your favorite chocolate chips for even more chocolatey goodness
Chex Muddy Buddies FAQ’s
Are Muddy Buddies gluten free?
Yes! All of Chex cereals are gluten-free, making this the perfect dessert and/or snack choice for those who are gluten-free.
Do Muddy Buddies have to be refrigerated?
No, you don’t have to refrigerate Muddy Buddies, but you can to keep your puppy chow fresher longer.
Why did my Puppy Chow mix get soggy?
If your muddy buddies got soggy, it’s most likely because you didn’t allow your puppy chow to cool completely before storing it in a container.
I always recommend spreading the puppy chow mix out on a large, parchment-lined cookie sheet and letting it cool for a minimum of 30 minutes before storing it.
P.S. That doesn’t mean you can’t taste test it while it’s setting up. 😉
Can I make Chex Muddy Buddies without peanut butter?
Yes! As mentioned above, you can easily swap out peanut butter for another nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter, or even a nut-free butter like sun butter.
How to Store Muddy Buddies
Muddy buddies should be stored in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Stored in an air tight container at room temperature your muddy buddies/puppy chow will remain fresh for up to 1 week, and will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
If you’ve never stored them in the fridge, give it a try- they’re SO yummy eaten cold!
Can You Freeze Muddy Buddies?
Yes! Muddy buddies can easily be frozen in a freezer safe Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature once ready to eat.
Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe (Easy Puppy Chow)
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Try my Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe for the most delicious and easy puppy chow snack mix you’ll ever eat! These muddy buddies are a yummy no-bake, gluten-free treat and made healthier with less sugar.
- Author: Kindly Unspoken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 4 1/2 cups Chex cereal (rice Chex or corn Chex)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract.
- Melt in the microwave for 1 minute, stir, and then continue to microwave at 30 second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Next, pour in your Chex cereal into the bowl and stir gently with a silicone spatula until all of the cereal is fully coated with the chocolate peanut butter mixture.
- Transfer your chocolate coated cereal to a large resealable bag and add in the powdered sugar.
- Seal the bag and gently toss/shake the cereal until it is evenly coated with the powdered sugar.
- Pour cereal out on a baking sheet and let cool/set-up for 30 minutes before eating or storing.*
Notes
- This recipe makes a half batch of muddy buddies. To double for a larger batch, simply click the double 2x icon at the top of the recipe.
- *Store leftover muddy buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
More No Bake Snacks You’ll Love:
- Sweet and Salty Chex Mix
- 30 Delicious No Bake Desserts
- 15 No Bake Energy Balls
I hope you enjoyed today’s post for my Best Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe (AKA Puppy Chow)! Do you love muddy buddies/puppy chow too? Is there a certain holiday or party you always make them for? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by! – Cara
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