Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (2024)

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Puppychow, also known as muddy buddies or muddy munch, this classic Midwestern dessert is my go-to no-bake treat for bake sales, parties, and Christmas food gifts. If you like peanut butter cups, you’ll love this easy dessert recipe.

Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (1)

Puppy Chow is yet another way to enjoy America’s favorite dessert pairing: chocolate and peanut butter. What I think makes it so addictive, though, is the Chex.

Somewhere between the massive crunch of the Chex and powdered sugar flying everywhere are the memories of summer barbecues, winter holidays, and birthday parties. Puppy Chow shows up in all those places and more.

Whether you have your own children or you just feel young at heart, making this easy Puppy Chow recipe is fun and relaxing, and the results are sweetly delicious.

Table of Contents

  1. Recipe ingredients
  2. Ingredient notes
  3. Step-by-step instructions
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Puppychow Recipe

Recipe ingredients

Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (2)

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Rice Chex: Feel free to substitute with any type of similarly-textured cereal, such as Corn Chex Cereal, Chocolate Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Peanut Butter Chex, or Crispix.
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: Opt for these instead of milk chocolate. The darker chocolate balances out the sweet powdered sugar nicely (I find milk chocolate to be too sweet here).

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, add cereal. In a medium-sized bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, until almost melted, about 45 seconds. Stir in the vanilla. Gently pour melted chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal.
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  1. Stir with a spatula until all the cereal is evenly coated with the chocolate mixture. Add powdered sugar to the coated cereal one cup at a time, tossing the mixture each time. Add the remaining ½ cup confectioners’ sugar and toss once more, ensuring cereal is evenly coated.
Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (4)
  1. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Allow to cool, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week (an empty ice cream pail works great).
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Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 14 cups of Puppy Chow, which makes about 28 servings, ½ cup each.
  • Storage: Store this dessert in an airtight container for up to 1 week (an empty ice cream pail works well).
  • Make ahead: While it’s safe to eat for 7 days, Puppy Chow tastes best within 1 to 2 days of making it.
  • Mess-free method: In a large resealable plastic bag or clean 1-gallon ice cream tub with a lid, place 1 cup of the powdered sugar. Add half of the cereal, a second cup powdered sugar, the remaining cereal, and lastly add the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar. Seal the bag or close the lid and shake vigorously until the cereal is evenly coated.
  • Mix it up: Feel free to make it a little different! Add chunks of cookies, pretzels, M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces or peanuts to spruce it up from the classic recipe.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Puppy Chow?

This addictive snack mix is called Puppy Chow because it looks a little bit like dog food. 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.

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Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (11)

Puppychow

By Meggan Hill

Puppychow, also known as muddy buddies, this classic Midwestern dessert is my go-to no-bake treat for bake sales, parties, and food gifts. If you like peanut butter cups, you'll love this easy dessert recipe.

Prep Time 14 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 28 servings (½ cup each)

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Calories 206

5 from 6 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, add cereal and set aside.

  • In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate, peanut butter, butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until almost melted, about 45 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Taste and add more salt to taste.

  • Gently pour chocolate mixture over the cereal. Toss until all the cereal is evenly coated. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, tossing the mixture each time. Add the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar and toss, ensuring cereal is evenly coated.

  • Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Allow to cool, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. Rice Chex: Feel free to substitute with any type of similarly-textured cereal, such as Corn Chex, Chocolate Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Peanut Butter Chex, or Crispix.
  2. Semisweet chocolate chips: Opt for these instead of milk chocolate. The darker chocolate balances out the sweet powdered sugar nicely (I find milk chocolate to be too sweet here).
  3. Yield: This recipe makes 14 cups of Puppy Chow, which makes about 28 servings, ½ cup each.
  4. Storage: Store this dessert in an airtight container for up to 1 week (an empty ice cream pail works well).
  5. Make ahead: While it’s safe to eat for 7 days, Puppy Chow tastes best within 1 to 2 days of making it.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 169mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 305IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 5mg

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Meggan Hill

Website | + posts

Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

Puppy Chow: My Go-To No-Bake Treat (2024)

FAQs

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.

Does puppy chow go bad? ›

Puppy chow is best stored in a sealable plastic bag or other airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. If refrigerating, it will last up to 2 weeks.

How do I keep my puppy chow from getting soggy? ›

Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

Why is my puppy chow clumpy? ›

Here are my best tips for making easy Puppy Chow in a matter of minutes: Make sure you don't overheat your chocolate/peanut butter/butter mixture! This will keep the chocolate from burning and becoming clumpy.

What is the difference between muddy buddies and puppy chow? ›

Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal. Names like “puppy chow” and others have become layman's terms for homemade versions like this one.

Can dogs eat puppy chow snack? ›

While it may seem harmless, feeding a diet for puppies to an adult dog can actually lead to some health concerns. Adult dogs have very different nutritional needs when compared to puppies, and their metabolisms typically are slower. Therefore, it is not advisable.

Why is it called puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

Why is my puppy chow not crunchy? ›

Without giving the 'chow time to cool, all that scalding-hot fat will continue to absorb the powdered sugar, making it too sweet and a bit soggy inside . Spread the stuff out on a sheet pan and let it rest for 20ish minutes before tossing the mix in powdered sugar.

What is 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 so good? ›

Nutty, sweet, salty, and creamy, these nuggets of pure indulgence are paramount to all other flavor combinations. The inventor was probably a well-intentioned mother who would never sell the purity of puppy chow for personal gain, but it could have just as easily been invented in a government lab.

Do you add water to puppy chow? ›

Puppies' teeth aren't fully developed in their initial weeks. Softened kibble is gentle on their developing teeth and easier on their digestion. As for how to soften dog food for puppies, you can do so by mixing water or puppy milk replacer into the kibble and letting it soak.

Can dogs eat Nutter butter? ›

All nuts are high in fat which can upset your pup's tummy so if you want to share roasted nuts or nut butter, limit your dog's intake.

How do you soften a puppy chow? ›

Soaking the Food: Pour warm water or puppy milk replacer over dry kibble or soft puppy Food and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Mix it well until it is a thick, gruel consistency. Use a blender: Blend dry kibble and warm water or a puppy milk replacer to create a smooth and creamy mixture.

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.

What is the difference between puppy chow and puppy chow large breed? ›

Large breed puppy foods are different from “regular” puppy foods in that they are lower in fat and calories, contain slightly lower levels of calcium and phosphorus, and have a carefully balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

Is puppy chow good for dogs? ›

Yes. Puppy Chow is good for puppies. Purina Puppy Chow recipes include the right nutrients at the right levels to support their rapidly growing bodies during their first 12 to 24 months. Learn more about Puppy Chow on the Purina Puppy Chow website.

What is the difference between puppy chow and regular dog food? ›

According to standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) — which regulates dog food manufacturing — the minimum amount of crude protein in dry puppy food is 22%, compared to 18% for adult diets. Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food.

Why do they call it puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

What is Purina dog chow made of? ›

The ingredients in Purina dog Chow vary depending on the recipe. However, every Dog Chow recipe is made with nutritious ingredients including high-quality protein, whole grains, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Visit the Dog Chow website to learn more about the ingredients for specific recipes.

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