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Muddy buddies are a quick, no-bake treat made with Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. They’re easy to mix up, fun to customize, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Tips for Making the Best Muddy Buddies
- Melt the coating gently. Use a microwave or a double boiler to melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Coat the cereal evenly. Pour the melted mixture over the cereal in a large bowl and stir gently. A rubber spatula works well so the cereal doesn’t break apart. Before mixing, spray the clean spatula with nonstick cooking spray to keep the chocolate from sticking.
- Shake, don’t stir. Once coated, add the cereal to a big zip-top bag with powdered sugar and shake until everything is covered. It’s quicker and coats more evenly than stirring.
- Let It cool. Spread the coated cereal on a baking sheet to cool completely before storing. This keeps it from clumping together.
recipe walkthrough
How To Make Muddy Buddies
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
- Start by measuring out your Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. You don’t need perfectly even cups here. Just make sure they’re all about the same fullness; a little over is totally fine.
- After that, add the butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter to a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat them up for 1 minute (on high heat) and then stir it all up. If the mixture is 100% smooth, you can go on to the next step. If there are still chocolate pieces, heat the mixture for another 30 seconds and then stir. Repeat heating and stirring until the chocolate mixture is completely smooth. You can also use a double boiler method on the stove.
- Next, you’ll pour in the vanilla extract and stir it in. Then, pour the chocolate all over the cereal in the large bowl.
- Grab a rubber spatula to stir together the cereal and chocolate. You want every piece of cereal coated in chocolate. Once the cereal is ready, pour it into a gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag.
- Seal the bag. Then double-check it’s sealed. Trust me. (I’ve had powdered sugar blowouts before, it’s not pretty). Then shake the bag until all the cereal pieces are coated in the powdered sugar. Some pieces might be totally white and others have some chocolate showing through. That’s okay.
- Pour your Chex Mix Muddy Buddies into a serving bowl and enjoy!
More Quick Snack Ideas
Variations
Here are a few fun variations on Chex muddy buddies you can try:
- Chocolate Swaps: Use white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even a mix of chocolates for a different flavor.
- Flavor Boosts: Stir in a little vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, or even a sprinkle of espresso powder into the melted coating.
- Extra Mix-Ins: Add pretzels, mini marshmallows, or peanuts for more crunch and variety. Candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms) mix in nicely, especially for holidays or themed colors.
- Seasonal Twists: Try peppermint extract and crushed candy canes for winter, use pastel candies or sprinkles for spring or Easter, or go with orange and black candies for Halloween.
Storage Tips
The Best Way to Store
Storing: Store Muddy Buddies in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge. You can also store at room temperature, but we prefer it chilled so it’s not too sticky.
Freezing: It can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. You can even eat it straight out of the freezer.
More Easy Snack Ideas
- Frozen Watermelon
- Sweet and Salty Harvest Chex Mix
- Ranch Oyster Crackers
- Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Easy Muddy Buddies Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups Chex cereal (I used rice Chex)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Measure Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. You don't need perfectly full cups, a little over is fine.
- To a microwave-safe mixing bowl, add butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. Microwave for 1 minute and then stir. Heat for another 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until smooth.
- Pour in vanilla and stir to combine. Pour chocolate-peanut butter mixture over cereal.
- Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir cereal until completely coated in chocolate. Transfer cereal to a gallon-sized ziptop plastic bag.
- Pour powdered sugar into bag and seal. (Double-check your seal, trust me.) Shake bag until cereal is completely coated in sugar.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Excellent recipe and easy, I added red white & blue M&Ms for patriotic muddy buddy.
Thank you Christine! Love your feedback.
This was my 1st time making these for the holidays & it was so easy with your step-by-step directions & they are delicious. I’ll be making this recipe a lot more
Thank you for the awesome comment Lisa!