Chex Mix Puppy Chow

Chex Cereal Puppy Chow is a crunchy, chocolate peanut butter treat! Add color to this snack mix with M&M candies and sprinkles for birthdays, holidays and more. Makes 15 servings.

The first time I tried Puppy Chow—also known as Muddy Buddies,—I was in second grade, and I remember it vividly because I was grossed out by the name, but also a little intrigued. (It should be noted that we also ate pudding cups with gummy worms and “dirt” that evening, too.)

I took one bite and fell in love.

Decades later, I still very much love the combination of crunchy Chex Cereal, creamy peanut butter, semisweet chocolate and powdered sugar.

And today, I’m using this recipe to spread some cheer as I participate in the Good Cookie Valentine’s Day event.

Why I love this Chex Mix Puppy Chow recipe:

There’s something about the combination of the flavors in this party dessert because this Puppy Chow recipe is incredibly well-balanced.

Instead of making this into the classic recipe we all know and love, I wanted to give it a little flair. So I added M&Ms and sprinkles. And the best news? You can do this, too, and make this puppy chow fit for various holidays.

Also, this snack mix recipe is super fun to make with kids, who will have a blast with every step—from the measuring to the melting to the mixing and decorating.

It’s also great for making and sharing since it makes a lot of puppy chow. So you could make a batch, purchase cute little containers to share it in and drop it off on friends’ doorsteps!

More party snack recipes: Sweet and Savory Party Mix | Halloween Trail Mix | Pepperoni Pizza Rolls | Tabasco Honey Butter Popcorn | Maple Cayenne Chex Party Mix | Christmas Chex Mix

Need more sweet treat ideas? Head on over to my Dessert Recipe Index for inspiration!

What you’ll need to make Chex Mix Puppy Chow

The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

• Large mixing bowl
• Liquid measuring cup
• Rubber spatula

What are the ingredients for Puppy Chow?

• Rice Chex Cereal—you can also use Corn Chex Cereal if you prefer that. Crispix cereal is also a cereal you could use in this recipe, too, though the shape of the puppy chow will be different.
• Peanut butter—creamy and unsweetened, if possible. A lot of recipes will tell you that the sweetened, more processed kind of best for sweet recipes, but I still enjoy the natural peanut butter. That said, use what you’ve got in your home, and it’ll work like a charm!
• Semisweet chocolate chips—You could also use milk or dark chocolate chips in place of these.
• Unsalted butter
• Powered sugar—there’s no substitute for this, so make sure you’ve got enough to coat your puppy chow.
• Milk Chocolate M&Ms—whichever colors make you happy! If you’re making a festive Chex Mix Puppy Chow, grab the holiday M&M bag!
• Sprinkles—the same goes for the sprinkle colors as the M&Ms!

Puppy Chow variations

I added both sprinkles and M&Ms to this puppy chow recipe because I love to add color to them! Here are some color combinations for holiday puppy how:

• Pink, red and white for Valentine’s Day Puppy Chow
• Green, white and mint for St. Patrick’s Day Muddy Buddies
• Pastels for Easter Muddy Munch
• Red, white and blue for Patriotic Puppy Chow
• Green and red for Christmas Puppy Chow or Reindeer Chow (how cute is that name?!?)

How to make Puppy Chow

First and foremost, find the biggest mixing bowl you’ve got in your kitchen. Measure the Chex cereal into it. We’re going to mix the ingredients in the bowl instead of using a plastic bag for the coating process, so we want there to be enough room. (Alternately, if you don’t have a huge mixing bowl, you can make this in batches!)

In a glass measuring cup or a microwave-safe bowl, measure out the peanut butter, chocolate chips and butter. Heat in the microwave in 30-second burst until they’re melted together. Stir until smooth. You might have to microwave it upwards of 2 minutes, just depending on your ingredients.

Pour the peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the Chex. Use a rubber spatula to stir the ingredients together, coating the Chex completely. Be gentle while stirring, as the cereal could break if you’re not careful.

Sprinkle in the powdered sugar, and toss gently until coated. (Alternately, you could toss the ingredients together in the airtight container that you’ll store the Puppy Chow in, and shake it together—your call!)

Let the chocolate mixture cool for 30 minutes, then add in the colorful M&Ms and sprinkles. Stir them together and then serve or store until later.

PRO TIP! Swap out the M&Ms and sprinkles for different holidays (or just because!) This way, you can have Christmas Puppy Chow, Halloween Muddy Buddies, St. Patrick’s Day snack mix and more!

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

This Chex Mix Puppy Chow recipe would be a tasty addition to any gathering you host in your home because it’s great for nibbling. It’s also well-loved by both kids and adults.

If you’re going to make it for a party, whether you’re celebrating a holiday, a birthday or just because, here are some ideas to making homemade Puppy Chow for sharing:

• Make the Puppy Chow a day in advance. It keeps well and won’t get soggy on you, so you can mix it, store it in an airtight container on the countertop and then share it the next day.
• Feeding a lot of people? Double the recipe. I know this recipe makes a lot, but if your friends and family are going to nibble on it for a long while, making double the amount might be a good idea, especially if you know that they like this combination of flavors.
• Celebrating a holiday? Customize it! This Puppy Chow recipe can turn into Christmas Puppy Chow (also known as Reindeer Chow) with green and red M&Ms and sprinkles. You can do the same and make this for Valentine’s Day, Independence Day and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick tips for making Chex Mix Puppy Chow

• Read over the ingredients. This puppy chow recipe should be gluten free, but confirm everything that’s going in is, especially if you’ll be sharing this with friends who have Celiac or a gluten intolerance.
• Store Chex Mix Puppy Chow at room temperature in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 4-5 days, but chances are, it won’t last that long! If you want it to last longer, it will keep for a week in the fridge.
• Swap out the colors of M&Ms and sprinkles for different holidays and celebrations. This recipe can be transformed into Christmas Puppy Chow (also known as Reindeer Chow) with green and red M&Ms and sprinkles. You can do the same and make this for Valentine’s Day, Independence Day and more! Add rainbow sprinkles for a birthday, too!
• Don’t want to make as much puppy chow? Half the recipe and call it a day!

Want more Valentine’s Day treats from the Good Cookie Exchange?

Check out these recipes from my fellow bloggers for other delicious ideas.

Heart Shaped Chocolate Cake from Julie of The Little Kitchen
Easy Chocolate Mousse from Allison of Celebrating Sweets
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies from Sheila of Life, Love, and Good Food
Lemon Biscotti from Jenn of Ever AFTER IN THE WOODS
Easy Cream Cheese Candies from Kelly of Live Laugh Rowe
Cornflake Cookies from All The Good Cookies from Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm
Strawberry Mochi Cookies from Heather of Delicious Not Gorgeous
Red Velvet Valentine Brownies Recipe from Jennifer of The Rebel Chick
Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe from Faith of An Edible Mosaic
Chinese Five-Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies from Bridget of Bake at 350
Chocolate Molten Lava Cake from Ashley of Spoonful of Flavor
Double Chocolate M&M Cookies from Melissa of Persnickety Plates
Raspberry Lemon Macaroons from Sue of It’s Okay to Eat the Cupcake
Raspberry Curd from Holly of A Baker’s House
Red Velvet Brownies from Kelly of Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats
Toffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches from Audrey of That Recipe
Creamy Raspberry Sherbet Pandemic Punch from Laura of Untwisted Vintage
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cake Balls from Lindsey of Lindsey Loo’s Bakery
Chocolate Covered Oreo Pops for Valentine’s Day from Heather of Totally Tailgates
Amaretto Cherry Swirl Cake from Samantha of Haute Pepper Bites
Gluten Free Double Chocolate Bundt Cake from Elaine of Small Farm Big Life
Easy Strawberry Mousse from Caroline of Caroline’s Cooking
Cornflake Cookies from All The Good Cookies #HelpingCookies from Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm
Vanilla Bean Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies from Colleen of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Neapolitan Cookies Recipe from Lisa of Blogghetti
Small Batch Almond Thumbprint Cookies from Lauren of Healthy Delicious
Kahlua Truffles from Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Red Velvet Brownie Cups from Nikki of Soulfully Made
Triple Chocolate Trifles from Coleen of The Redhead Baker
Chewy White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies from Jessica of A Kitchen Addiction
Hot Chocolate Bombs for Valentine’s Day from Anna-Marie of Beauty and the Beets
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies from Lisa of Taste Cook Sip
Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles from Betsy of The JavaCupcake Blog
Cherry Blossom Cookies from Carolann of Apron Warrior
Chocolate Mint Frappuccino Cookies from Peabody of Sweet ReciPEAs
Mini Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecakes from Kate of Kate’s Recipe Box
Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies from Shashi of Savory Spin
Funfetti Cookie Bars from Becca of The Salted Cookie
Grapefruit Poppyseed Cake from Michelle of Cold Weather Comfort
White Rabbit Candy Cookies from Linda of Ketchup with Linda
Baby Yoda Valentine’s Day Cookies to Support Cookies for Kid’s Cancer from Jenn of justJENN recipes
Salted Peanut Butter Pretzel Cowboy Cookies from Bree of Baked Bree
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate Bombs from Erin of The Spiffy Cookie
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix from Gwynn of Swirls of flavor
Cherry Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake from Stefanie of Stef’s Eats and Sweets
Valentine’s Day Homemade Ding Dongs from TammyJo of The Chocolate Cult
Guava Macarons with Coconut Buttercream from Lindsay of Anchored Baking
Valentines Pink Dessert Charcuterie Board for Kids from Nicole of For the Love of Food
Hot Chocolate Cookies from Amanda of A Cookie Named Desire
Cóctel de Camarones from Rebekah of Kitchen Gidget
Cuccidati (Italian Fig Cookies) from Amy of The Nifty Foodie
Lemon Poppyseed Heart Shaped Sandwich Cookies from Lisa of Garlic & Zest
Valentine’s Day Almond Flour Brownies from Kaitlin of I Can Cook That
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake from Trang of Wild Wild Whisk