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.

Why do some people call Muddy Buddies puppy chow? ›

Its brown kibble-like appearance harkens back to the chow of the Purina company, and the name wasn't subtle, people called it Puppy Chow, knowing well that the dog food company manufactured that cereal. While party mix was a little more universally known for many decades, Puppy Chow was a neat quirk of the Midwest.

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.

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.

Why is puppy chow out of stock everywhere? ›

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.

Is puppy chow 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.

Is puppy chow a wisconsin thing? ›

In some circles, it's called Muddy Buddies. Is Puppy Chow a Midwestern thing? Yes, people across the Midwest loved this sweet and crunchy snack year-round. The “puppy chow belt” runs through Wisconsin and Michigan, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Why are Muddy Buddies so good? ›

Whether you call it muddy buddies or puppy chow, this classic is always guaranteed to be a crowd favorite. Rice Chex cereal is coated with a combination of melted chocolate and peanut butter, then tossed in powdered sugar for the ultimate easy sweet snack.

What is another name for Chex Mix? ›

First off this recipe can be found under many names besides Party Mix such as Chex Mix, Nuts and Bolts, TV Mix, or Snack Mix.

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.

What does puppy chow taste like? ›

We're taking Chex cereal, coating it in chocolate and peanut butter, and tossing it in powdered sugar. It's a bit like dessert Chex Mix, and a whole lot of YUM. I grew up making and eating puppy chow, and it's always been a staple at our house, especially during the holidays.

What's the difference between Muddy Buddies and puppy chow? ›

Is There a Difference Between Puppy Chow and Muddy Buddies? Nope! Puppy Chow is also commonly referred to as Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, or Reindeer Chow.

What is puppy chow slang for? ›

Slang for Heroin

Black tar, smack, H, Negra/o, puppy chow, dog food, onyx, beat, BT, black girl and the frequently used term “sh*t” all reference Heroin.

Why do they call it puppy chow? ›

Chex cereal first arrived on the market in 1937, made by the Ralston Purina Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Yup, that Purina. The company had adopted the name “chow” for its animal feeds after hearing World War I soldiers call their rations that.

Who owns puppy chow? ›

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

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.

What is a puppy chow snack made of? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

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