Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans!) is such a treat. Crunchy, sweet, and perfectly pepperminty, this gluten-free holiday snack recipe will fly out of the bowl. Sponsored by Enjoy Life.
I’ve got one last recipe to share before signing off for Christmas, and I saved the best for last. If you have time to whip up just one more thing this holiday season, make it Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans.) That’s right, no pups were harmed in the making of this irresistibly-delicious, chocolate-peppermint treat that tastes exactly like Thin Mints – YES! This sweet and crunchy snack is for your mouth only (praise be, because you won’t want to share with a single soul – dog, human, or otherwise!)
This is the final recipe in a series of desserts I created using Enjoy Life chocolates this holiday season (be sure to check out my Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soft-Batch Pumpkin Gingersnap Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Salted Chocolate Almond Toffee!) and I am so so thrilled with how it turned out.
Puppy Chow is a holiday staple in my world and traditionally it’s made with Rice Chex, peanut butter, butter, and chocolate. As a nod to Enjoy Life’s allergy-friendly chocolates though – which contain no gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, sulfites, fish, peanuts, egg, sesame, and tree nuts, among other allergens – I nixed both the butter and peanut butter to make this more-allergy-friendly version that’s gluten-free, nut free, and vegan too.
Big words aside – you are simply going to LOVE this recipe!
I kept the base as Rice Chex but upgraded by using Chocolate Rice Chex instead of plain. Next I coated the cereal in a mixture of melted Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chips, a few Tablespoons of coconut oil, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes, then coated it all in powdered sugar. If you are gluten-free and loved Thin Mints – GET READY MY FRIEND! Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow is a dead ringer for the Girl Scout cookie favorite. I’m telling you, the flavor is identical, and it’s even got that irresistible crispy-crunchy thing going on. You better believe I will have this recipe on standby when the girl scouts come a knockin’ next year!
I wasn’t sure what my kids were going to think about this recipe – you never know with mint – but both Lincoln and Cam are going crazy for Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow. They even requested it from Ben for breakfast the other day, and he delivered. “It’s cereal!” he shrugged. DADS!!!! Ok fine, I also had it for breakfast on Tuesday, then as a snack later that day. And every day after that. YOLO! Anyway, we’ve got making another batch on our winter break to-do list per Lincoln’s request and I can’t wait to make it again. :)
Start by crushing 6 candy canes to get 1/2 cup crushed candy canes. I add the candy to a ziplock bag, place it on a towel, then have at it with a meat mallet.
I like to do this on a kitchen towel in case the bag rips from the candy shards. That way it goes on the towel vs the countertop and is easier to clean up. Set the candy aside.
Next melt 1-1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips with 3 Tablespoons coconut oil in a large bowl in the microwave until smooth, then stir in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract. I use Watkins brand, which is gluten-free.
Add a 12.8oz box Chocolate Rice Chex cereal (8 cups) plus the candy canes then gently fold using a large spatula until the cereal is evenly coated in the chocolate mixture.
Split the cereal between 2 gallon-size Ziplock bags containing 3/4 cup powdered sugar each then seal and gently toss to coat the cereal in the powdered sugar.
Pour the Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow onto parchment or wax paper then let cool for an hour or so before packaging up (or scarfing!!) This snack recipe would be a hit for handmade holiday gifting or as a hostess gift. Spoon into a treat bag or mason jar then tie with a bow. I can’t think of anything better! I hope you enjoy and have a very merry Christmas – I’ll catch you on the flip side!
5 Family-Favorite Gluten-Free Christmas Recipes
Top 10 Recipes from 2018 (Plus 5 of My Faves)Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow
Description
Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans!) is such a treat. Crunchy, sweet, and perfectly pepperminty, this gluten-free holiday snack recipe will fly out of the bowl.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Morsels
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 12.8oz box Chocolate Chex Cereal (8 cups)
- 6 candy canes, crushed (1/2 cup)
Directions
- Divide powdered sugar between two gallon-size Ziplock bags then set aside. Tear off two pieces of parchment or wax paper then place slightly overlapping onto the counter.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds then stir and continue microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until chocolate is smooth. Add peppermint extract then stir to combine.
- Add cereal and crushed candy canes then fold gently to coat cereal in chocolate. Divide cereal between Ziplock bags then seal, taking care NOT to squeeze the air out of the bags. Gently toss the cereal around to coat in powdered sugar then pour out onto parchment or wax paper. Let cool until chocolate is set then package in an airtight container.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Kristin – I just wanted to say thank you for all of the work you put into this blog. I check it so often, refer back to your recipe archives several times a week, and use many in our regular rotation. I think I’ve actually tried about 40+ of your recipes if not more! Even still check out your old Friday Favorites seasonally to see what jumps out at me. :)
I know you put in a great deal of work between the recipe creation, writing, editing, and photography and I just wanted to say a heartfelt THANK YOU as I reflect on things that I’m appreciative of. Have a wonderful, safe holiday.
Thank YOU, Bonnie, for taking the time to write such a thoughtful note. I am so grateful for your readership and support!! :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for making a puppy chow recipe without peanut butter!!!!! This looks so good. And I concur with the other comment—I appreciate all your recipes knowing that I can count on Kristin to have a recipe I need. Just the other day I needed an appetizer to wow my guests and I immediately went to the IGE archives. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Can’t wait to see new recipes in 2019!
Thank you so much, Beth!! I’m so glad you can count on the recipes to deliver – thanks for such a nice note!
Kristin, this looks wonderful and delicious! Merry Christmas to you and all the family!
Thank you Nancy!
Yes!! A puppy chow recipe without peanut butter. Adding this to my Christmas Eve to do list with the kids – they will love it and my peanut allergy son can eat it!!! It’s a challenge to find christmas treat recipes that are nut-free.
Thank you for this awesome blog – it is my go-to for all our dinner needs and beyond. Your taco breakfast casserole, fruit tree, and now this puppy chow will all be on our Christmas menu. Enjoy the holiday with your crew!
Thank you so much, Abby! I hope your kiddos enjoyed the chow! ;)
This was a big hit at our house! Left the recipe with my husband and 4 kids while I did some last minute holiday shopping and came home to a delicious treat!
Awesome!! Tastes even better when someone else makes it, huh? ;)
I’m so obsessed with puppy chow. I make it at least once during the holidays, it’s so addicting!! MasterCakes
Agreed! ;)
Thank you for the nice recipe, Kristin! Chocolate puppy chow is always good and your addition of peppermint I am sure adds some great holiday flavor.
Merry Christmas, Kristin! I wish you and your family all the best, best wishes!
Thank you so much!! Same to you! :D
what a fun snack and a very creative use of ingredients to navigate around the gluten filled staples, so thank you for this recipe
You bet, Sabrina! I hope you get the chance to try it sometime!
Is it ok to eat the whole bag at one time? Because I did. Oops! Lol.
hahaha, YES!! Yes. It. Is. So glad you loved it, JoAnn!
So good! We used chocolate peppermint candy canes and it was a total hit. My middle kiddo is allergic to dairy and peanuts, so finding a puppy chow recipe she could actually have was awesome!
LOVE finding special treats that little ones can enjoy despite food allergies. So happy to hear the recipe was a hit. Thanks Rebekah!
Do not make this unless you want to eat the entire thing!!! I used 1 drop of doterra peppermint essential oil instead of peppermint extract and it was AMAZING!! I even purchased extra candy canes so that I could make it again several times after the Christmas season was over and I couldn’t find candy canes in the store. Love Iowa Girl recipes!
Is there any taste of coconut from the oil?
No, I don’t think so at all!
Nobody needs to print photos of the ingrediats listPlease be considerate of pwasted paper and expensive ink and provide and option to print only the text
Hi Dale, if you click the “print recipe” button vs using your browser’s print function, just the recipe will print.
What do you think of using soft candy peppermint sticks instead of hard candy canes? Would you use about the same amount?
If one doesn’t need to eat gluten free do you think Andes chocolate mint candy would work well in place of the chocolate and peppermint extract?
What can you use as a substitute for coconut oil?
I am going to experiment with substituting a smaller amount of vegetable oil or vegan butter for the coconut oil. (We are tree nut free, and temporarily dairy free.)