Muddy Buddies (2024)

Need a quick snack that can be made in 15 minutes and doesn’t require any cooking? Muddy Buddies are just the thing!

They’re super easy to make, they taste great—and they’re perfect when you need something quick and easy to keep you going throughout the day. These 15-minute crunchy and satisfying Classic Muddy Buddies are made with Chex Mix cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. They’re always a hit at potlucks—and you’ll be the hit of your next party when you bring them along!

Muddy Buddies is one of those snacks that always hits the spot. It has all the elements of the perfect snack food: sweet chocolate, salty flavor, crunchy texture and oh so tasty! The sweet, crunchy snack we call Muddy Buddies has many names. We’ve also called it puppy chow, monkey munch, muddy munch, and at Christmastime, reindeer chow. No matter what you call it, this is one of those snacks that always hits the spot! It has all the elements of the perfect snack food: sweet chocolate, salty flavor, crunchy texture and oh so tasty!

Ingredients in Muddy Buddies

As much as I’d like to, I can’t claim this recipe as my own; I just used the recipe on the Chex cereal box. Why mess with perfection, right? But feel free to experiment with variations, too! Here’s what you need:

• Corn Chex cereal – about six cups
• Rice Chex cereal – three cups
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – you can substitute milk chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips.
• Peanut butter – I like to use creamy peanut butter but if you prefer a more crunchy texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter too.
• Butter – two tablespoons to melt
• Vanilla extract – one teaspoon
• Powdered sugar – about a cup and a half, or so until you get the consistency you like. This gives it the irresistible, powdery white coating.

Homemade vs. Store Bought Muddy Buddies

Not only is it way cheaper to make your own at home, homemade Muddy Buddies just taste so much better! The store bought stuff can be stale, less flavorful, and just not as tasty. Additionally, when you make it at home, you can make a greater volume for much less cost. You’re also in control of the ingredients you add, making the whole batch fresher, and much tastier!

Switch Up the Chex

In this recipe we use about 9 cups of Chex cereal, total. Traditionally Corn Chex and Rice Chex are used to make muddy buddies but you can switch it up to add whatever flavors you want! Wheat Chex is a common favorite to mix in. To keep it all even, just do 3 cups of each: Corn, Rice, and Wheat. Some other fun Chex flavors include Chocolate Chex and Peanut Butter Chex, both of which would make great muddy buddies!

Variations to Classic Muddy Buddies

If you want to customize your Muddy Buddies, there are some delicious options to take this recipe to the next level! Here are some popular variation options:

• M&Ms: First, and easiest, is M&M’s. After the Muddy Buddies are cooled completely, mix in classic, peanut butter, or peanut M&M’s. You can also make a more seasonal treat by adding holiday colored or holiday flavored M&Ms.
• Candy bar & Candy Mix Ins: Chop up some of your favorite candy bars like Reese’s peanut butter cups, butterfinger, KitKat, etc.
• Cookies and Cream: Mix crushed Oreos into the Chex cereal before coating it with chocolate and powdered sugar. This adds a cookies and cream twist to the classic recipe. Chopped cookies and cream Hershey bars are also a fun addition.
• S’mores Muddy Buddies: Incorporate mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces into your muddy buddies. You can even drizzle some melted chocolate over the top for more of that s’mores flavor.
• Mint Chocolate Muddy Buddies: Use mint chocolate chips and a bit of peppermint extract to give your muddy buddies a refreshing minty flavor. Top them with crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch.
• Coconut Almond Joy: Mix in shredded coconut and chopped almonds to replicate the flavors of an Almond Joy candy bar. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate and add a few mini chocolate chips.

Give the Gift of Muddy Buddies

I love making a big batch of this treat at home and sharing it with my kids (if they’re good) or neighbors as gifts. Plus it cannot be easier. From start to finish, this recipe takes ten minutes tops. You just can’t beat that! Plus you can change it up a million different ways, adding different flavorings, candies, just about anything you can imagine. Place them in a cellophane bag, tie it with a ribbon, and you’re good to go.

How to Make Chex Mix Muddy Buddies

• This classic recipe is so simple! First, start by melting the butter, creamy peanut butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat and stir until velvety smooth or the texture of cream.
• Add the vanilla extract and stir.
• Next, coat the cereal with the chocolate mixture by pouring it over the top and then stirring until all the cereal is covered.
• Pour the Chex and the powdered sugar in a gallon sized Ziploc bag and shake to toss all the cereal with powdered sugar until fully coated.
• Then, spread the whole mixture out on waxed paper to allow it to cool. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
• Finally, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay nice and fresh for two weeks, but truth be told, it rarely lasts that long in our house.
• You can also freeze it in airtight baggies for four to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Muddy Buddies

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How to Make Muddy Buddies