Today’s post is not so much a new/innovative recipe as it a PSA/reminder. Let’s talk about Puppy Chow, friends. It exists, it’s delicious, and you should make it. Soon!
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies, is a popular snack in the Midwest that’s fun to make and eat all year long, but especially around the holidays. Something about clusters of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar covered-Rice Chex looking like delectable little snow balls or something like that.
Seriously though, nothing screams Christmas or the holidays more to me than Puppy Chow. Not even sugar cookies, and that’s really saying something! Best of all, this recipe is SO. EASY. Just 15 minutes from ingredients to eating – you can’t beat that!
How Long Does Puppy Chow Last?
The unofficial answer is: minutes?! The official answer is up t0 5 days if stored in an airtight container or Ziplock bag. Promise it won’t hang around for long, though.
Does Puppy Chow Need to Be Refrigerated?
Puppy Chow does not need to be refrigerated which means it’s great for giving as an edible holiday gift. I like to package scoops of Puppy Chow in clear treat bags with a pretty ribbon, or in a holiday tin which you can get from the Target $1 aisle or even the Dollar Store. Inexpensive, easy, and WAY better than giving someone a boring old candle for the holidays.
Before we go on, I feel like it has to be said – Puppy Chow is NOT for puppies nor any other animal! More for us humans. ?
How to Make Puppy Chow:
Start by pouring Rice Chex into a very large bowl – the biggest you’ve got!
Next microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips, smooth peanut butter, butter or vegan butter, and vanilla until melted and smooth.
Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the cereal then use a spatula to gently stir the ingredients to coat.
Next add powdered sugar to two large Ziplock bags then divide the Rice Chex mixture between the two bags.
Gently shake to coat the Rice Chex in the powdered sugar then spread the Puppy Chow onto wax paper to let it cool. Couldn’t be easier nor more tasty. UGH, so good! I hope you love this festive, simple, and scrumptious holiday treat – enjoy!
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15-Minute Puppy Chow
Description
Puppy Chow is a classic holiday recipe that's gluten free too! Chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar combine to make a crunchy, irresistible treat.
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter or vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- Prep: Divide powdered sugar between two large Ziplock bags then set aside. Place a couple sheets of overlapping wax paper on the countertop. Pour cereal into a very large bowl then set aside.
- Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a large, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Keep microwaving and stirring in 20 second increments until mixture is smooth. Drizzle over cereal then stir with a spatula until cereal is completely coated.
- Divide mixture between powdered sugar bags then gently shake until cereal is completely coated. Pour Puppy Chow out onto wax paper to cool then store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Notes
From Chex.com
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
[…] I hope it comes back in stock soon.Favorite foodie gift: Boiled Apple Cider Syrup. If you pass on Puppy Chow (which, don’t,) try giving homemade Apple Cider Syrup for holiday gifts. Looks really yummy, […]
My cousin recently moved to Utah and many of her co-workers had never heard of puppy chow. Those people have been missing out, this stuff is the best! And putting puppy chow in mason jars for co-workers would be so cute! Thanks for the idea :)
Has anyone ever made this with WOW butter? Learning how to go nut-free as my 15 month old has developed an allergy.
We have made it with sunflower seed butter for my son who has a nut allergy. It turned out just fine. It is not quite as delicious to me as the PB version but worth making with the nut-free substitute!
Thank you so much!
Recommendation: Use Andes Mint chips (or the new Peppermint chips) in place of chocolate chips for an EXTRA FESTIVE holiday treat!
Pb and mint chocolate? How’s that taste together?
Love this recipe! I ate a lot of puppy chow as a child and this is a good reminder to get that stuff out again! :) Love the holiday decorations too. Have a great weekend.
I love Puppy Chow! Especially the clusters and if you like raisins add them to your next batch! Delicious!!!!
Love it – and we make it with butterscotch chips instead of choc/pb, as well for a variation … yum!
Love me some puppy chow! The best variation of it I’ve ever had I subbed chocolate & pb with almond bark (white chocolate morsels might work) and tossed with cake mix (I think I used vanilla flavor?) and powdered sugar. Totally goes against eating clean but it’s sooo worth it!!!
I made puppy chow this week! Well, kind of. I had a mad craving so I used the Wheat Chex & dark chocolate chips I had in the cupboard. Sounds healthier, right? Well, maybe “healthier” but certainly not as good. There is no substitute for the real chow.
I’ve only ever heard of/seen puppy chow once on Peanut Butter Fingers, but I had no idea what it was. Oh my god- it is amazing, how has us Aussies not caught on? Maybe I should lead the way!
try making it with the chocolate chex cereal!
oh great PSA. puppy chow had completely slipped my mind but is an oh-so-great classic indulgence. will have to make some time to make this soon…
Not that I know what crack is like, but I imagine it to be like this. :) I think I’ll make some tomorrow. Thanks for the post!
I absolutely LOVE puppy chow yet have never thought about making it for gifts. Great idea! The only problem will be resisting the temptation of eating all of the puppy chow before giving it away :)
This is good stuff. My daughter made a gallon size zip lock back and brought it to school to share with her friends at lunch. They ate the whole thing. It is so addicting.
Ugh…you just had to do this to me didn’t you?? ;) I love puppy chow! Isn’t it funny how people call it by different names? I have also heard it called Monkey Munch.
Try making it with Crispex and you’ll never go back to Chex! So yummmmmmmy!
puppy chow is the best thing in the world! it is so addicting! Great pictures!
THANK YOU for the wonderful reminder… I will be making this for my road-trip back home for Christmas!!
I always get made fun of here in New York for calling it puppy chow! They call it Muddy Buddies or something here, but when you grow up buying puppy chow at all the bake sales, it’s hard not to call it that :)