Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies)

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These Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies) are a fun Halloween treat, bursting with rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, complemented by the crunch of cereal, Oreos, and M&M’s. It’s a sPoOky and delicious snack mix you won’t want to miss!

Overhead view of a bowl of Goblin Goodies (halloween muddy buddies)

Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies)

Set the stage this Halloween with a snack mix that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious! These Goblin Goodies aren’t just the best dessert ever – they’re also edible Halloween decor, adding a fun and “spooky” touch to your table!

For the Muddy Buddies lovers out there, our version amplifies the experience. Infused with the sweetness of Oreos, the crunch of chocolate-covered pretzels, and the pop of colorful M&M’s, this mix is an explosion of flavors and textures. Whip up a batch and make your Halloween celebrations deliciously unforgettable!

Process shots: Melt chocolate and transfer to a plastic bag; seal and cut tip off the bag; pipe chocolate onto the pretzels; add edible eyes.

QUICK TIP

We mention several brand names in this post: Oreos, Chex, M&M’s, and Skippy. We respect trademarks and mention these by name because we truly believe they are of higher quality than others–plus, they are easily recognizable.  We use these brands in our test kitchen, but of course, you’re welcome to use similar products under different labels.

Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies) Ingredients

  • Corn Chex cereal: Be sure to use fresh cereal to ensure a good crunch. Stale cereal can make your Muddy Buddies taste stale.
  • Creamy peanut butter: Use creamy peanut butter instead of chunky for a smoother texture. We love and highly recommend Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter (not sponsored).
  • Milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips: Quality matters! A higher-quality chocolate will melt better and offer a richer taste. Choose according to your sweetness preference: milk chocolate for sweeter, semi-sweet for a slightly more bitter chocolate flavor. You could even use dark chocolate chips for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
  • Fine sea salt: This helps enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness. If using regular table salt, reduce the quantity slightly as it’s more concentrated than sea salt.
  • Unsalted butter: Use real butter, not margarine, as this affects both flavor and texture.
  • Vanilla extract: While it’s optional, vanilla extract adds depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness.
  • Powdered sugar: This coats the outside of the Halloween Muddy Buddies, giving it a sweet, soft exterior that contrasts nicely with the crunchy cereal. Moreover, it helps keep the mix from sticking together and prevents clumping!

Process shots of Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies): Measure out cereal; combine chocolate, peanut butter and salt; microwave and stir to melt.

Goblin Goodies Mix-Ins

  • Mini Oreos: They’re here for that added flavor and extra crunch. Can’t find the mini kind? It’s all good! Just take regular-sized Oreos and give them a coarse chop.
  • Chocolate-covered pretzels: These guys introduce a delicious salty-sweet combo to these Halloween Muddy Buddies. While half of the pretzels are broken up and added to the mix, the other half will be used to create the “Goblins.”
  • Blue and green M&M’s: Whether you opt for a seasonal Halloween-themed pack of M&Ms or hand-pick the blues and greens from a standard pack, these add vibrant pops of color. For a mix of textures, try combining mini M&M’s with the regular ones; I love doing this!
  • Edible eyes: Here’s where our “Goblins” truly come alive. These little candies add that essential Halloween flair to these Halloween Muddy Buddies. Hunt them down in the baking aisles of local grocery stores, craft shops, or online. 

Process shots: Add chocolate-peanut butter mixture to the bowl; mix well; divide into bags with powdered sugar; seal bag and shake well to coat.

QUICK TIP

Why We Separate Halloween Muddy Buddies Into Two Bags

Even coating is key: Dividing the snack mix and powdered sugar into two bags helps achieve a perfect, even coat. With more space inside each bag, the ingredients can freely shuffle around, ensuring every piece gets its fair share of sugary goodness. Dumping everything into one bag might lead to some pieces hogging all the sugar, while others barely get a glance.

Process shots Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies): Pour cereal mix into a large bowl; add the mix-ins and mix well; add remaining M&M's and Goblins.

How To Make Halloween Muddy Buddies (Tips)

  • Master the melt: When dealing with chocolate and peanut butter, patience is key. Overheating can transform that smooth dreaminess into a grainy nightmare. To avoid this, always melt in short bursts and dedicate plenty of time to stirring in between.
  • Gentle touch: When it comes time to mix the cereal with the melted duo of chocolate and peanut butter, handle with care. Gently folding them together helps maintain the cereal’s crunch and shape.
  • Size matters: While it might sound like a given, using a big bowl is a game-changer. Not only does it make mixing simpler, but it also offers the cereal plenty of space, reducing chances of breakage.
  • Powdered sugar hack: When adding the powdered sugar, doing it in increments ensures each piece gets that desired sugary coat. 

QUICK TIP

Gift the goodness: Looking for a spooky treat for someone special? Goblin Goodies are always a hit! Pack it in adorable bags or festive jars, and voila – you have the perfect homemade Halloween treat to surprise friends and family.

Close-up view of Goblin Goodies snack mix

STORAGE

Storing Goblin Goodies (AKA Halloween Muddy Buddies)

Stash any leftover snack mix in an airtight container. Mason® jars or Weck® mold jars are my personal favorites for this purpose. Kept in a cool, dry place, your Goblin Goodies will stay fresh for up to a week, although they taste the best when consumed within three days.

Freeze and enjoy later: If you’ve made more than you can eat, no worries! Transfer the leftover mix into an airtight container or sealable plastic bag and pop it in the freezer. It’ll stay good for up to three months. And when the cravings strike, either let it sit out at room temperature or dive right in, grabbing a handful straight from the freezer. I must admit, there’s something special about this mix when it’s frozen – it’s my favorite way to eat it!

Closeup view of Goblin Goodies

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Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies)

5 from 2 votes
These Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies) are a fun Halloween treat, bursting with rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, complemented by the crunch of cereal, Oreos, and M&M's. It's a spooky and delicious snack mix you won't want to miss!
Print Recipe

Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies)

5 from 2 votes
These Goblin Goodies (Halloween Muddy Buddies) are a fun Halloween treat, bursting with rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, complemented by the crunch of cereal, Oreos, and M&M's. It's a spooky and delicious snack mix you won't want to miss!
Course Dessert, treat
Cuisine American, Vegetarian
Keyword goblin goodies, halloween muddy buddies
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Chelsea Lords
Calories 634kcal
Cost $8.34

Ingredients

  • cups chocolate-covered pretzels, separated
  • Edible eye candies plus 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
  • 9 cups corn Chex cereal
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips (Note 1)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, separated
  • cups mini Oreos
  • 1 cup blue and green M&M's

Instructions

  • MAKE "GOBLINS": Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Arrange ½ cup of the chocolate-covered pretzels on the pan. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips by microwaving in 20-second bursts, stirring after each burst. Transfer the melted chocolate to a plastic bag, seal while removing any air, and then snip off a corner of the bag. Pipe the melted chocolate into the top two holes of each pretzel and press in edible eyes. Refrigerate until the chocolate has set.
  • CEREAL: Into a very large bowl, add in Chex cereal, then set aside.
  • PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE MIXTURE: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, salt, and butter. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and melted. Stir in vanilla extract (if using). Pour this mixture over the cereal, gently stirring to coat evenly. Be gentle to prevent crushing the cereal.
    Measuring cereal into a bowl, combining chocolate with peanut butter and a pinch of salt, followed by heating the mixture until smooth and perfectly melted.
  • DIVIDE THE MIX: Divide the cereal mixture and powdered sugar in half. In a large resealable plastic bag, layer ½ cup of powdered sugar, half of the cereal mixture, and then another ½ cup of powdered sugar. Seal and shake the bag until the cereal is thoroughly coated. Transfer to a clean bowl. Repeat with the remaining cereal mixture and powdered sugar, then combine in the same bowl.
    Making of Fall Muddy Buddies: chocolate mixture being poured over cereal, thorough mixing, division into bags, addition of powdered sugar, and the final energetic shaking for a well-coated, delicious treat.
  • MIX-INS: Break up the remaining 1 cup of chocolate-covered pretzels coarsely and add them to the bowl with the coated cereal. Add mini Oreos and ¾ cup of the M&M's, then stir gently to distribute. Top with prepared "Goblins" and the remaining ¼ cup of the M&Ms.
  • STORAGE: Enjoy immediately or store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze it and enjoy straight from the freezer (SO good!)

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Chocolate chips: Milk chocolate yields a sweeter and milder flavor while semi-sweet delivers a slightly less sweet and more intense chocolate flavor. The better the quality of chocolate used, the better the flavor and the better the melt!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 906IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 11mg

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.

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