Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans!) is such a treat. Crunchy, sweet, and pepperminty, this holiday snack will fly out of the bowl.
“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!”
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!
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy Chow is a holiday staple in the Midwest and is traditionally made with Rice Chex, peanut butter, butter, and chocolate. As an even more festive touch, I decided to swap the peanut butter with peppermint.
This special holiday treat is gluten-free, nut free, and vegan yet you would never, ever guess. It is SO delicious!
What’s Inside
For this chocolate-peppermint version of Puppy Chow I swapped regular Rice Chex for Chocolate Rice Chex, then coated the cereal in a mixture of melted chocolate, coconut oil, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes, and THEN coated it all in powdered sugar.
If you have to eat gluten free and miss eating Thin Mints – GET READY – because 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!
Try Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
How to Make This Recipe
Start by crushing 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 semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life brand which are free from the Top 8 food allergens) with coconut or vegetable oil in a large bowl in the microwave until smooth, then stir in peppermint extract. I use Watkins brand, which is gluten-free.
Add Chocolate Rice Chex cereal 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 powdered sugar 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 is 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. Enjoy, enjoy!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
- Gluten Free Scotcheroos
- Gluten Free Shortbread
- 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
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-1/2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, or regular sized, Enjoy Life recommended
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 12.8 oz 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 large 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.
Notes
- You can also freeze Puppy Chow if you make it ahead of passing it out.
- Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow makes great gifts to give in pretty bags tied with a ribbon!
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
What do you think of using soft candy peppermint sticks instead of hard candy canes? Would you use about the same amount?
Is there any taste of coconut from the oil?
No, I don’t think so at all!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
I’m so obsessed with puppy chow. I make it at least once during the holidays, it’s so addicting!! MasterCakes
Agreed! ;)
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? ;)
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! ;)
Kristin, this looks wonderful and delicious! Merry Christmas to you and all the family!
Thank you Nancy!
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 – 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!! :)