Home > Desserts > Muddy Buddies Recipe Muddy Buddies Recipe July 10, 2024 | 53 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Try these Muddy Buddies (also called Puppy Chow) for a quick and easy snack. No baking needed, and just a few ingredients! Next try this White Chocolate Chex Mix or this Chocolate Popcorn! The Best Muddy Buddies Ever Last summer, my son loved selling lemonade but this year he wanted to try something new. So, I made a few batches of these Muddy Buddies for him to sell. After just one day, he’s convinced they’re the ticket to all the money he could ever want. 😉 Needless to say, this snack mix was a huge hit in the neighborhood. Honestly, it’s super popular whenever I make it and wherever I take it! What Are Muddy Buddies? Also called Puppy Chow, Reindeer Chow, or Monkey Munch. Muddy Buddies are a fun crunchy snack mix made with cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, butter, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. The best part? No baking! They might look like dog food (hence the name Puppy Chow), but they’re super tasty. (Just don’t feed them to your dog since pets and chocolate don’t mix.) Ingredients Chex Cereal: Use Rice or Corn Chex (or a similar brand). This cereal holds up well with the coating. Creamy Peanut Butter: Any smooth and creamy nut butter works here! Chocolate Chips: You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips — whichever you like best. Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the salt level. You can always add more salt, but can’t take it out. Vanilla Extract: Add it after microwaving to keep the flavor strong. Powdered Sugar: Coats the cereal for a sweet finish and to “seal” in the chocolate and peanut butter. How To Make Muddy Buddies Measure: Measure the cereal into a very large bowl. Melt: Combine the butter, chocolate chips, salt, and peanut butter, then melt in the microwave. Stir through vanilla for added flavor. Combine: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and toss until evenly coated. Coat: Transfer the mixture to a large bag, add the powdered sugar, and shake to combine! And if you’re wondering how to make Puppy Chow, it’s the exact same as this recipe. 🙂 Variation Ideas: One of the best things about this snack is how easy it is to customize. I’ve made lots of Muddy Buddies variations, and here are my favorites: Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies: A rich, chocolatey snack mix that tastes like an Oreo. Muddy Buddy Bars: Make this treat in bar form! It’s perfect for on-the-go, no-bake desserts. Double Chocolate Flavored: Use dry brownie mix instead of powdered sugar. Nutella Flavor: Use Nutella® instead of peanut butter for a different flavor. Make It Seasonal: Try these fun twists for every season: Fall Muddy Buddies, Valentine Muddy Buddies, Goblin Goodies, and Peppermint Bark Muddy Buddies. Switch Up The Cereal: Don’t have Chex cereal? Try S’mores Muddy Buddies and Peanut Butter Puppy Chow for a fun change. Expert Tips Even Coating: Use a gallon-sized plastic bag to toss chocolate-covered Chex with powdered sugar. If too full, use two bags. This ensures even coating. Avoid Burning: Melt chocolate in the microwave in short bursts (15-30 seconds), stirring in between to prevent burning. Be Gentle: Shake the cereal gently with the melted chocolate in the bag to evenly coat and keep from crushing the cereal. STORAGE What To Do With Leftovers: Leftovers: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, best in 3-4 days. Can You Freeze Muddy Buddies: Yes! I love these straight from the freezer! Store in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. More Delicious Desserts: Snickerdoodles reader favorite cookies Edible Cookie Dough no baking required and food safe Lemon Bars with a shortbread crust Chocolate Cheesecake with an Oreo crust S’mores Bars no baking required FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Muddy Buddies 4.72 from 21 votes - Review this recipe Try these Muddy Buddies (also called Puppy Chow) for a quick and easy snack. No baking needed, and just a few ingredients! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Muddy Buddies 4.72 from 21 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Try these Muddy Buddies (also called Puppy Chow) for a quick and easy snack. No baking needed, and just a few ingredients! Course Dessert, Snack Cuisine American, Vegetarian Keyword muddy buddies Prep Time 15 minutes minutes Total Time 15 minutes minutes Servings 10 cups Chelsea Lords Calories 484kcal Author Chelsea Lords Ingredients▢ 8 cups corn Chex cereal▢ 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter▢ 1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips (I like Guittard or Ghirardelli)▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter▢ 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract▢ 1-1/2 cups powdered sugarOptional Additions▢ mini M&M's, mini chocolate chips InstructionsMeasure cereal into a large bowl and set aside.In a separate large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter and salt. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 15 seconds until the mixture is melted and smooth. Mix in vanilla. Pour over the cereal. Stir well until the cereal is evenly coated. Take care not to crush the cereal while stirring.Pour half of the cereal mixture into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag and pour half of the powdered sugar over it. Seal and shake until the cereal is evenly coated. Repeat with the other half of the cereal and powdered sugar. Shake until all the cereal is well coated.Pour into a large bowl and enjoy! If desired, stir in a fun addition such as mini M&M's or mini chocolate chips. Store leftover Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature OR freeze and enjoy right out of the freezer! Video Recipe NotesNutritional information does not include optional add-ins. This recipe doubles well-- and on the flip side, it can also be halved easily. Nutrition FactsCalories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 743IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 18mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
You know what. I have never made muddy buddies before. This looks quite yummy! I have a feeling my kids would gobble them up!!! 🙂 Reply
Oh wow you definitely need to give them a go sometime! They are a favorite in my family 🙂 thanks Renee! Reply
I must curtsy to Chelsea, queen of puppy chow! Oh my goodness, these are incredible! Thank you Chelsea! Reply
Haha you are so sweet mary!! Thank you so much! 🙂 and muddy buddies for breakfast? Best idea ever! Reply
Love your picture with the birthday candle in it….mmmm mmm looks yummy! Haven’t made puppy chow in forever, and have never really ventured to make another flavor (even though i’ve managed to pin a ton of different flavors.) I like how you have the chunks of dough in it…totally need to make this. Maybe this weekend, have some wine too, invite some friends over. Sounds lovely 🙂 Reply
Thanks so much Kelly! Haha I’ve pinned so many flavors too! Sounds like a great weekend, I’m already anxious for it to be Friday haha! Reply
OMG I love muddy buddies. I’m dying. And I’m guessing you and hubs had waaaaay to many muddy buddies at home. Send some my way? 😉 Reply
These look perfect for my sweet tooth! I did have to google ‘rice chex cereal’ though – don’t think we get that on this side of the world 🙁 Reply
LOVE the sugar cookie muddy buddies! I’ve never thought about adding cookie dough. That is a perfect treat for a party! Thanks – pinning! Reply
Ahhh muddy buddies (or as Ohio-natives such as myself 😛 call em-puppy chow!) soooo good! You are so creative Chelsea! Reply
Muddy buddies are pretty dangerous in our house. Asheley and I go through batches of the stuff like crazy. It’s our crack. Reply
Not that I’ve personally tested; you could perhaps try WowButter, but I can’t personally vouch for how it will work/taste. Wish I could be of more help Reply
Any experience with freezing this?! I have never heard you can do this. The cereal doesn’t get soggy as it thaws? Reply
Yes! I actually LOVE frozen muddy buddies — they’re delicious. I haven’t ever experienced the cereal getting soggy; we typically eat it straight from the freezer (sounds strange, but really good!) Reply
I’ll add it to my list 🙂 In the meantime, there is a video for making a similar recipe (Halloween inspired!) on this post: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/halloween-bag-toppers-2-free-printables/ Reply
These are fabulous. My husband recently discovered that gluten doesn’t work for him, and we love desserts, so these are the perfect answer. The pinch of salt and vanilla take them to the next level. These also have the perfect ratio of crunch to chocolate. We’ve eaten…quite a lot of these. 🙂 Reply
Ahh yes! These are the perfect gluten-free dessert! I’m so glad you guys found something that worked for you! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂 Reply
I’ve made this before and it is great. Can you use almond butter or chocolate peanut butter instead of peanut butter. If you use chocolate peanut butter can you still use the chocolate c hips. Thank you, Dorothy Reply
My grown son loves these! I made them every Christmas and even tho he’s 35 he still comes to my house for Muddy Buddies! Reply
You could certainly try it! I’d use a dry roasted and lightly salted almond butter that has a good flavor on its own! Reply
So glad to find this easy and quick recipe! I was craving muddy buddies and my local store was out! I bought the ingredients instead and boom! Muddy buddies at home! I didn’t have a plastic bag big enough so I used the bag the rice Chex cereal came in! It worked out great and taste better than the Chex brand in my boyfriend opinion (after a blind taste comparison). Thank you! Reply
I have been making muddy buddy for many years. I like to add extra goodies for variety…m and m, mini pretzels, peanuts. Fun to pick out your favorite pieces. Reply
I make these every Christmas for add on gift for older grandkids they love them. My recipe was thrown away when husband cleaned out drawers please email for me thank you Reply
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Denise! You can print straight from this recipe if you just click the print link! 🙂 Reply
My family loves the Chex Muddy Buddy Mix!! Sometimes, I use equal amounts of Rice Chex Cereal, Chex Chocolate Cereal , and Chex Peanut Butter Cereal (when I can find the Peanut Butter Chex Cereal, it’s very hard to find). Reply
