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.
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. NOW!
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 semisweet chocolate chips, smooth peanut butter, butter or vegan butter, and vanilla then stire until melted and smooth.
Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the cereal then use a spatula to fold 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!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
- Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels
- Christmas Crunch
- Buckeyes
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Gluten Free Kiss Cookies
- Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
- 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter , regular or vegan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
- Divide powdered sugar between two, gallon-size Ziplock bags then set aside. Place two 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 then stirring in 20 second increments until the mixture is smooth. Drizzle over the cereal then fold with a spatula until the cereal is completely coated.
- Divide the mixture between the two powdered sugar bags then gently shake until the cereal is completely coated. Pour the Puppy Chow out onto the sheets of wax paper to cool then store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
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 :)