Fall Muddy Buddies mix peanut butter, chocolate, salty pretzels, fall M&Ms, and Reese’s into a sweet, crunchy snack.
author’s note
Sweet and Salty Fall Muddy Buddies!
I’m Muddy Buddy (also known as Puppy Chow) obsessed. I already have a few fun versions, like my no-bake Muddy Buddy Bars, S’mores Muddy Buddies, and Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies. So a fall mix was a must.
This is my go-to party snack because it comes together in minutes and I almost always have the ingredients. Peanut butter, chocolate, crunchy cereal, salty pretzels, and fall M&M’s hit all the notes.
My favorite trick is the freezer. I stash a bag so there’s always a quick sweet bite ready. Cold Muddy Buddies are extra crisp and so satisfying.
Fall Muddy Buddies Ingredients:
- Corn Chex cereal: Use fresh for the best crunch; stale cereal leads to a stale-tasting snack mix.
- Peanut butter: I recommend Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter, for a perfect texture.
- Milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips: High-quality chocolate melts better and tastes richer. Pick milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, or semi-sweet for less sweetness.
- Fine sea salt: It boosts other flavors and cuts sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Stick to real butter for the right flavor and texture.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, but it adds flavor richness and slight sweetness.
- Powdered sugar: Coats the mix for a sweet, non-sticky, clump-free exterior contrasting the crunchy inside.
The Mix-Ins
- Mini Reese’s: Adds rich peanut-butter chocolate. No minis? Chop regular cups.
- Pretzels: Salty crunch. Break into small pieces.
- Fall M&M’s: Festive color. Use a seasonal mix or pick autumn colors. Swap in Reese’s Pieces for more peanut butter.
Quick Tip
If you’re into Trader Joe’s, try their tasty and adorable mini peanut butter cups in this Fall Muddy Buddies mix — that’s our go-to!
How To Make Fall Muddy Buddies (Tips)
- Melt slowly. Microwave chocolate and peanut butter in 15 to 20 second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Mix gently to keep the cereal intact. Use a large bowl to reduce breakage.
- Add powdered sugar in batches for even coating.
- Freeze portions for extra crunch; they eat well straight from the freezer.
Variations
Spread the joy: Fall Muddy Buddies make great gifts! Just pop them into cute bags or jars for an easy, thoughtful, homemade treat. OR, serve in cupcake liners for a festive touch at gatherings.
Storage
Keeping Your Fall Muddy Buddies Fresh
- At Room Temperature: Keep leftovers in an airtight container, like a Mason® or Weck® jar, in a cool, dry spot. They’ll stay fresh for a week but are tastiest within three days.
- In the Freezer: Extra snack mix? Just freeze it! Put it in a sealable bag or container and it’ll keep for up to three months. Eat it straight from the freezer for a crisp treat!
More Fall Favorites:
Quick And Easy
Acorn Donut Holes
Desserts
Apple Pie Bars
Desserts
Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies
Desserts
Candy Corn Popcorn
Fall Muddy Buddies
Video
Equipment
- Large bowl for mixing
- 2 Resealable plastic bag for tossing mix with powdered sugar
Ingredients
- 9 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet, see note 1
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 cups powdered sugar divided
- 1-1/2 cups pretzel twists broken
- 1 cup M&M’s red, orange, yellow, and brown, or Reese’s pieces
- 1 cup Miniature Reese’s Cups see note 2
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter, and salt. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth and fully melted. If desired, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the melted peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently stir to coat each piece evenly, taking care not to crush the cereal.
- Divide the coated cereal into 2 batches. For the first batch, use a large resealable plastic bag and layer as follows: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and half the cereal mixture, followed by another 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake well until the cereal pieces are well-coated with sugar. Remove the contents to a clean bowl. Repeat this process for the second batch of cereal, then combine both sugar-coated batches in the same bowl.
- To the bowl of sugar-coated cereal, add the broken pretzels, mini Reese’s cups, and 3/4 cup of the M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces. Gently mix to incorporate. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces over the top for decoration.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
