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Bowl of homemade Muddy Buddies with powdered sugar

The Ultimate Guide to Muddy Buddies: Easy Recipe & Variations

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!

  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 9 cups 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4. Ingredient List:

📌 Makes approximately 9 cups of Muddy Buddies

  • 9 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, enhances flavor)
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar

🔹 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 1½ minutes total).
3️⃣ Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

🔹 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.
🔟 Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

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

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

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

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

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

  • Author: margaret carter
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: no-bake
  • Cuisine: american
  • Diet: Gluten Free

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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