Puppy Chow Recipe

Last Updated on December 14, 2025 by becky

A classic puppy chow recipe made with melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and Chex cereal, all tossed in a powdery confectioner’s sugar coating. Easy to make, irresistible to eat, and the quintessential childhood treat.

Why Make This Puppy Chow Recipe?

I can trace puppy chow all the way back to childhood, yet somehow I have no idea exactly when I first ate or made it for the first time. Even Wikipedia isn’t quite sure how long it’s been around, but suggests that this sweet treat dates back to at least the 1980s, which I can confirm since I’m sure I’ve been eating it since then.

Made by coating crispy cereal in a mix of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, then tossing it all in confectioner’s sugar, puppy chow (also known as muddy buddies, muddy munch, or reindeer chow, depending on your location) remains one of my go-to treats when I’m craving the classic chocolate and peanut butter combo.

This powdery, messy treat works perfectly for slumber parties or movie nights, ideally served in a big bowl with plenty of napkins or wet wipes handy. A few sources suggest that the confectioner’s sugar will keep your fingers free from melted chocolate and peanut butter, but I always end up with chocolatey, powdery fingers anyway. And honestly, the messiness just adds to the fun!

Puppy Chow Ingredients

To make this puppy chow recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chex Cereal – I used a mix of rice Chex cereal and corn Chex cereal. Feel free to use one or the other, or add some wheat Chex to the mix. Generic cereals are fine. And if making these in the UK, opt for a similarly-shaped cereal like Shreddies or Malties, or a mix of the two. You can also purchase imported Chex on Amazon, or at a specialty shop like Partridges. (And if it’s on sale, pick up an extra box to make this white chocolate Christmas Chex mix!)
• Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips – You can coat the cereal in melted semi sweet chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or even milk chocolate. I don’t recommend white chocolate for this recipe; combined with the confectioner’s sugar, white chocolate makes the finished cereal mix too cloyingly sweet.
• Peanut Butter – Choose creamy (not chunky) peanut butter. And opt for a commercial brand rather than a “natural” peanut butter—the latter will make your puppy chow too oily.

• Butter – I recommend using unsalted butter for this recipe; the peanut butter already contains plenty of salt.
• Vanilla Extract – Choose a good-quality vanilla extract, rather than imitation flavoring. Nielsen-Massey makes my favorite vanilla extract and my favorite vanilla bean paste.
• Confectioner’s Sugar – Confectioner’s sugar creates the classic powdery coating. Also known as icing sugar, powdered sugar, or 10x sugar, depending on your location.

How to Make Puppy Chow

To make homemade puppy chow, start by melting chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together until smooth. Next, stir in vanilla extract, followed by Chex cereal.

Scoop the coated cereal into a big plastic bag, add confectioner’s sugar, and shake vigorously until fully covered. Spread the mixture on a tray to cool, then store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to a week.

For ingredient quantities, step-by-step instructions, and process photos, scroll down to the recipe card below.

Adding a Seasonal Spin

One of the best things about puppy chow? It’s super easy to customize for different holidays, events, or seasonal celebrations. Some of my favorite seasonal suggestions include:

Halloween: Mix in Halloween M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces, candy eyeballs, candy corn, or Halloween sprinkles.

Thanksgiving or Fall: Add homemade candy corn, Cadbury Harvest Mix, or a pinch of homemade pumpkin spice.

Christmas: Try Christmas M&Ms, Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or chocolate nonpareils.

Wintertime: Toss the puppy chow with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, candied nuts, maple pecans, other dried fruit like cherries, candied ginger, or candied citrus peels.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Store puppy chow in a sealed food storage bag or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Other snack and appetizer recipes you might enjoy:

Cookie Dough Hummus
Pumpkin Dip
Spiced Nuts
Candied Ginger
Hot Cocoa Dip
Maple Cinnamon Pecans

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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