Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow) are a classic American no-bake treat beloved for their sweet, salty, and irresistibly crunchy combination of flavors. This simple recipe features crispy cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. While their exact origins are a bit of a mystery, variations of this snack likely appeared on Chex cereal boxes during the 1960s.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes + cooling time
  • Yield: Approximately 9 cups

Ingredients

  • Cereal: 9 cups of crispy rice or corn Chex cereal (or a mix of both).
  • Chocolate: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Milk or dark chocolate work too!
  • Peanut Butter: ½ cup creamy peanut butter.
  • Butter: ¼ cup unsalted butter (use salted butter and skip the added salt in the recipe).
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for a flavor boost.
  • Powdered Sugar: 1 ½ cups for that signature snowy coating.

Instructions

Preparation of the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mixture

  1. Prep your workspace: Get started by lining a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. You’ll need this later for spreading out your Muddy Buddies to cool.
  2. Measure out the cereal: Pour 9 cups of Chex cereal (rice, corn, or a combination) into a very large bowl. Set this aside.
  3. Melt the ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each interval, until melted and smooth.
  4. Flavor boost: Stir the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture.

Coating the Cereal and Adding Powdered Sugar

  1. Coat the cereal: Carefully pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Stir gently with a large spoon or rubber spatula until the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
  2. Get sugary: Place the powdered sugar in a large, resealable plastic bag (like a gallon-sized Ziploc bag).
  3. Shake it up: Carefully transfer the coated cereal into the bag of powdered sugar. Seal the bag tightly and shake vigorously until the cereal pieces are completely covered in a snowy white layer.
  4. Cool and enjoy: Spread the finished Muddy Buddies onto the prepared baking sheet to cool and set. Once set, they’re ready to devour!

Tips:

  • For easier cleanup, work over a sheet of wax paper to catch any stray powdered sugar.
  • If you don’t have a large enough resealable bag, divide the powdered sugar and coated cereal into two separate bags for the shaking step.

Notes

  • Customize Muddy Buddies to suit your tastes by experimenting with different cereals (gluten-free varieties are available), various types of chocolate (milk, dark, white), and nut butter alternatives (sunflower seed butter, cashew butter).
  • Add fun mix-ins like nuts, mini marshmallows, pretzels, candies, and sprinkles!
  • Author: Juana M. Benedict
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes (melting ingredients)
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: No-bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: (will vary slightly depending on ingredients) Approximately 250
  • Sugar: Approximately 20g
  • Sodium: Approximately 100mg
  • Fat: Approximately 12g
  • Saturated Fat: Approximately 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 30g
  • Fiber: Approximately 1g
  • Protein: Approximately 3g
  • Cholesterol: Approximately 5mg

Keywords: Dessert, Snack,