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Muddy Buddies are a classic no-bake Christmas treat made with Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. They come together in minutes, make the house smell amazing, and are perfect for gifting or holiday snacking. You might also know them as Puppy Chow, which is simply another name for the same sweet snack mix.
If you love easy holiday treats, try my Graham Cracker Toffee or White Chocolate Peppermint Bark. Get even more ideas in my Easy Christmas Treats collection.
Tips for Making the Best Muddy Buddies
A few simple tips help you get the perfect chocolatey coating and keep the cereal from getting crushed.
- Melt the coating gently. Heat the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in short bursts and stir often so the mixture stays smooth and doesn’t scorch.
- Coat the cereal carefully. Use a rubber spatula and fold gently so the cereal stays whole. Spraying the spatula with nonstick spray keeps the chocolate from sticking.
- Shake to coat. A gallon-size zip-top bag works best for evenly distributing the powdered sugar.
- Cool completely. Spread the mix on a baking sheet to cool so it doesn’t clump together.
recipe walk-through
How To Make Muddy Buddies
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
Step 1: Measure the cereal.
Add the Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl. The cups do not need to be perfectly level.
- A little extra in each scoop is fine.
Step 2: Melt the chocolate mixture.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter.
Heat for 1 minute, stir, then continue heating in 30-second increments until completely smooth.
- Note: You can use a double boiler on the stove if you prefer.
Step 3: Add vanilla and combine.
Stir in the vanilla, then pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.
Step 4: Gently coat the cereal.
Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together. You want each piece coated without crushing the cereal.
Step 5: Shake with powdered sugar.
Transfer the coated cereal to a gallon-size zip-top bag, add powdered sugar, seal the bag (double-check the seal), and shake until everything is evenly coated. Some pieces will be fully white and others slightly darker. That’s normal.
Step 6: Cool and serve.
Spread the mixture on a baking sheet to cool completely, then serve or pack into airtight containers.
Variations
Here are a few fun ways to customize your Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow):
- Chocolate Swaps: Try white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or a mix of chocolates.
- Flavor Boosts: Add a little vanilla, a dash of cinnamon, or a pinch of espresso powder.
- Mix-Ins: Pretzels, mini marshmallows, peanuts, or M&Ms work great, especially for holidays.
- Seasonal Twists: Peppermint extract and crushed candy canes are perfect for winter. Add pastel candies for Easter or orange and black candies for Halloween.
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
Storage and Freezing Tips
Storage: Keep Muddy Buddies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. They can be stored at room temperature, but we like them chilled so they stay crisp and not sticky.
Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. They can be eaten straight from the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow the same thing?
Yes. Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow refer to the same no-bake snack made with Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. The name varies by region.
How do I keep the cereal from getting crushed?
Use a large bowl, fold gently with a rubber spatula, and avoid stirring too aggressively. The cereal will stay light and crunchy.
Why does some chocolate show through instead of being fully white?
That’s normal. It usually means the bag needs a little more shaking or a small sprinkle of extra powdered sugar. The flavor stays the same.
Can I use different types of chocolate?
Yes. Semi-sweet is classic, but white chocolate, dark chocolate, and butterscotch all melt smoothly and coat the cereal well.
Can I make Muddy Buddies nut-free?
You can swap peanut butter for a nut-free spread like SunButter. The flavor changes slightly but still tastes great and coats the cereal well.
More Easy Snack Ideas
- Tropical Chex Mix
- Sriracha Chex Mix
- Slow Cooker Chex Mix
- Sweet and Salty Harvest Chex Mix
- Ranch Oyster Crackers
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.
Notes
- Melt slowly for best texture. Heating the chocolate mixture in short bursts keeps it smooth and prevents scorching, which can cause a grainy coating.
- Spray the spatula. A quick mist of nonstick spray helps the chocolate mixture glide over the cereal without sticking.
- Fold, don’t stir. Gentle folding keeps the Chex from breaking so the final mix stays light and crisp.
- Shake well to coat. A large zip-top bag gives the powdered sugar enough room to move around the cereal for even coverage. Add a small extra scoop of sugar if the mix still looks patchy.
- Cool completely. Spreading the mixture on a baking sheet helps it set and prevents clumping or soggy spots.
- For nut-free versions: Swap peanut butter with SunButter or another nut-free spread. It blends smoothly and still coats the cereal well.
- Try holiday add-ins. Crushed candy canes, red and green M&Ms, or sprinkles make this perfect for Christmas gifting.
- Store chilled for best crunch. Keeping the mix in the fridge helps it stay crisp and keeps the powdered sugar from absorbing moisture.
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!