Puppy Chow Snack Mix

First things first: This is a delicious snack food for people, not for feeding our puppies, dogs, or other pets that shouldn’t eat chocolate.

This quick, no-bake puppy snack mix will also answer to other names such as Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, or Reindeer Chow.

Think of it as sweet chocolate and peanut butter Chex mix. You need only pantry basics to make a big batch of this snack, so you might have already have everything on hand. The recipe makes a lot, but it keeps well for a few days. It’s a fun after-school, lunch box, or desk drawer snack. Just scoop portions into small reusable airtight containers and a week’s worth of grab-and-go treats are at the ready.

Which Came First: Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow?

Puppy chow is thought to have originated in the Midwest, and Chex quickly caught wind of how their product was being enjoyed. They published a recipe for “Muddy Buddies” on their boxes to capitalize on the popularity of the snack.

Ingredients for Puppy Chow Snack Mix

To make this snack mix, you'll need:

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: A sweet chocolate coating that helps the snack mix set up firm.
• Smooth peanut butter: Can be substituted with sunflower butter, or other types of nut butters, if needed (or preferred).
• Butter: Melts in to help coat every bit of cereal with the chocolate mixture.
• Vanilla extract: Added for extra flavor.
• Chex cereal: Recommended to be made with Rice, Corn, or Chocolate Chex, but feel free to swap with any variety and flavor of cereal you prefer.
• Powdered sugar: Coats the cereal to break up all those chocolaty clusters.

How To Make Puppy Chow Snack Mix

This snack mix is so easy to make, you'll be whipping up batch after batch.

To make it:

• Chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter are melted in the microwave, and vanilla is added.
• The mixture is poured over Chex cereal and tossed to coat.
• Two dustings of powdered sugar are added for a soft, sweet coating, and the snack mix is cooled on a baking sheet until firm.
  

Puppy Chow Variations

The sky is the limit when it comes to variations on this classic snack. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Substitute semi-sweet for white chocolate, and add holiday sprinkles or M&M's for a festive touch.
• Add spices: Pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon turn this into the perfect fall snack.
• Swap peanut butter with Nutella for an extra-chocolaty coating.
• Add Golden Grahams, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips for a S'mores version.
• After cooling, toss in peanuts, candy, dried fruit, pretzels, brownie bits, coconut and more.

Why Is My Puppy Chow Soggy?

After coating the cereal mixture with powdered sugar, don't rush the process. Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

How To Puppy Chow Snack Mix

Store cooled puppy chow snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or frozen for up to two months. We doubt it will last that long.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.