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Bowl of homemade Muddy Buddies with powdered sugar

The Ultimate Guide to Muddy Buddies: Easy Recipe & Variations


  • Author: margaret carter
  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 9 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Crunchy, chocolatey, and perfectly sweet, Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) are a no-bake treat made with crispy Chex cereal, rich melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime snacking, this easy-to-make snack is addictively delicious and highly customizable with fun flavor variations!


Ingredients

Scale

4. Ingredient List:

πŸ“Œ Makes approximately 9 cups of Muddy Buddies

  • 9 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Β½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ΒΌ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, enhances flavor)
  • 1Β½ cups powdered sugar

πŸ”Ή Optional Mix-ins: Mini marshmallows, crushed Oreos, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or M&Ms


Instructions

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate & Peanut Butter

1️⃣ In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
2️⃣ Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth (about 1Β½ minutes total).
3️⃣ Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

πŸ”Ή Stovetop Alternative: Melt the mixture in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.

Step 2: Coat the Chex Cereal

4️⃣ Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.
5️⃣ Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.

Step 3: Add Powdered Sugar

6️⃣ Transfer the coated cereal into a large ziplock bag or airtight container.
7️⃣ Add powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake vigorously until all pieces are fully coated.

Step 4: Cool & Serve

8️⃣ Spread the coated cereal on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9️⃣ Let sit for 15–20 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
πŸ”Ÿ Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

βœ… Flavor Variations: Try different chocolates (milk, dark, white), or mix in fun ingredients like marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, or peanut butter cups.

βœ… Nut-Free Option: Replace peanut butter with SunButter or cookie butter.

βœ… Vegan Option: Use dairy-free chocolate and vegan butter.

βœ… Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

βœ… Pro Tip: If Muddy Buddies start to stick together, toss with extra powdered sugar before serving.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: no-bake
  • Cuisine: american

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (~1/9 of recipe)
  • Calories: ~320 kcal
  • Sugar: ~24g
  • Sodium: ~100mg
  • Fat: ~14g
  • Saturated Fat: ~6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: ~45g
  • Fiber: ~2g
  • Protein: ~4g
  • Cholesterol: ~5mg

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