Puppy Chow (2024)

This homemade puppy chow recipe is easy and fun to make for all ages! Plus, it makes a great edible gift.

How to Make Puppy Chow

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

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.

Puppy Chow Ingredients

These are the four ingredients you’ll need for this easy puppy chow recipe:

  • Chocolate chips: This recipe starts with a cup of semisweet chocolate chips.
  • Peanut butter: Peanut butter helps hold the ingredients together. You can use almond butter, if you prefer, but the results might be slightly softer.
  • Rice cereal squares: You’ll need a whopping nine cups of crispy rice cereal squares.
  • Confectioners’ sugar: Make sure to use confectioners’ sugar (a.k.a. powdered sugar) for this recipe.

How to Make Homemade Puppy Chow

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make puppy chow:

  1. Melt the chocolate and peanut butter together.
  2. Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal.
  3. Pour the sugar into a large resealable bag.
  4. Add cereal and shake until well-coated.

How to Store Puppy Chow

Store homemade puppy chow in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Easy and so yummy,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “I've been craving puppy chow, and decided to make it with my daughter. This recipe is perfect for little kitchen helpers. This is a fast, tasty treat for anyone who loves the chocolate and peanut butter combination!”

“I simplified the process and microwaved the chocolate chips and then added the peanut butter and cereal,” according to Allrecipes Allstar Yoly. “Super easy and tasty. Thanks for the recipe.”

“We added M&M minis and Reese’s Pieces for a little extra chocolatey twist,” says myW0rldinc0l0rs. “Awesome!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Puppy Chow (2024)

FAQs

What is puppy chow 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.

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? ›

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.

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's 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.

Is Purina Puppy Chow for puppies? ›

Yes. Puppy Chow is good for puppies.

What is puppy chow called in the south? ›

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.

What is a funny 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 it called a Chow Chow? ›

The name Chow Chow may derive from an English term used in the 19th century to refer to cargo from East Asia; however, some sources note that it may derive from the Chinese word for “edible.” The Chow Chow is built compactly, with a large head and a thick coat that forms a dense ruff about the neck.

When was puppy chow popular? ›

Named after its resemblance to actual puppy chow (and perhaps the launch of Chex cereal, known by some as “human chow,” from the Purina company back in 1937), human puppy chow became a household staple in the Midwest by the 1960s.

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 is the difference between puppy chow and dog chow? ›

Puppy food does have slightly higher levels of calcium and phosphorous when compared to most adult dog foods. Puppy food also has a higher fat and protein content, meaning there are more calories per bite than the adult version of the same brand.

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 do Midwesterners say ope? ›

Another benefit of using “ope?” It's a shorter way of saying “I'm sorry” when you bump into someone, reinforcing the Midwestern politeness we're known for. It also helps Midwesterners to spot each other in the wild.

What states have puppy chow? ›

It was a present as emblematic of her blonde hair, blue eyes, and flat vowels. The puppy chow belt runs through the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, fanning out into the surrounding areas. There it is at every potluck, picnic, and holiday party table. Children learn to make it early and often.

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

More fat in puppy formulas.

Puppy food does have more calories than dog food, because puppies need more calories to support growth. AAFCO recommends a minimum of 8.5% for dry puppy food versus only 5.5% for adult dog food.

Is puppy chow good for humans? ›

Although dog food is edible, it's not a good idea to make it a regular part of your diet on a long-term basis. Humans have different nutritional needs than dogs, and dog food doesn't contain all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Take vitamin C, for example.

What are the ingredients in DQ puppy chow? ›

Artificially Flavored Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream (Milkfat And Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate), Choco Chunks (Sugar, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Natural Cocoa, Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), ...

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