Classic Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow!)
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The sweet and nostalgic snack we all know and love…Muddy Buddies (also known as Puppy Chow)! This recipe is so easy, it practically makes itself, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
For us, one of the best parts of summer is definitely the food! It’s one of the few times in the year when we totally indulge in nostalgic treats like ding dongs, twinkies, or even strawberry pop tarts. Oh, and how could I forget the classic funnel cake! Though, sometimes…summer is just too darn hot to turn on the oven. That’s when we go for a slice of oreo icebox cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a handful of these muddy buddies!
Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow?
Depending on where you grew up, you either called it muddy buddies or puppy chow! Yep. That means they are actually the same thing! I grew up calling them muddy buddies. What did you call this delicious snack growing up?
What Makes These Muddy Buddies Better Than Store-Bought?
- Flavor: You get to choose the quality of your ingredients! Fresh peanut butter and high-quality chocolate chips will create a richer, more decadent flavor. Plus, with a splash of vanilla, this snack mix becomes SO much more delicious.
- Texture: You’ll love how crispy and crunchy and FRESH these muddy buddies are!
- Ease: There’s no baking or cooking required! Just melt some chocolate, mix it together, and you’re done. It’s a super kid-friendly recipe, too!
- Time: It just takes a few minutes to mix up! It’s the perfect snack for last minute potlucks, back to school, or even movie night.
Let’s Make It!
This recipe is one of the easiest treats you’ll find on our blog! It’s even easier than our gooey rice krispie treats. Still, we wanted to provide a quick how-to to ensure recipe success!
- Pour cereal into a large bowl. Use rice chex, not corn chex or wheat chex for the best flavor!
- Melt chocolate. Just toss chocolate, peanut butter, and butter into a separate bowl! We used dark chocolate, but you can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate.
- Pour chocolate over cereal. Carefully mix to coat the cereal. We prefer to do this with a rubber spatula.
- Place into a bag. Spoon the coated cereal into a zip-top bag or sealable container.
- Shake! This is the fun part. Add confectioners’ sugar and shake until all of the cereal is coated!
Kids love helping with the last step and they LOVE this recipe! It’s sweet and nutty just like peanut butter cups.
More Kid Friendly Treats:
When you make this Muddy Buddies recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.
Happy baking!
x, Caylie
Classic Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow!)
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex
- ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1½ Tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Pour Rice Chex into a large bowl. Set aside.
- Place peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat in 15 second increments, stirring well after each, until melted and smooth.
- Pour over cereal.
- Use a rubber spatula to stir until cereal is completely coated in chocolate mixture.
- Pour into a gallon-size zip top bag.
- Add powdered sugar.
- Shake until cereal is coated.
Notes + Tips!
- Airtight Container Is The Way To Go: Transfer your Muddy Buddies to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. This is crucial to prevent them from drying out and becoming stale.
- Keep At Room Temperature: Store your Muddy Buddies at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. This will ensure they maintain their perfect balance of crunchy cereal and delicious coating.
- Cereal Choice: Opt for fresh cereal! Stale cereal can become soggy in the coating.
- Temperature Matters: Melt your chocolate and peanut butter slowly in the microwave, being sure to stir every 15-30 seconds. Avoid overheating, which can cause the chocolate to seize.
- Cool It Down: Let the chocolate-peanut butter mixture cool slightly before coating the cereal. This helps prevent the powdered sugar from melting and creating a clumpy mess!
- Customize It!: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Add a pinch of sea salt, chopped nuts, mini pretzels, or chocolate candy for a personalized touch.
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Can I use natural peanut butter??
Hi Stephanie! This recipe works best with store-bought peanut butter brands like JIF or Skippy (not sponsored!), since they’re a bit thicker and more consistent. You can use natural peanut butter, just be sure it’s stirred really well so the oil doesn’t separate. If it’s on the runny side, try adding a little less so the coating stays nice and thick. Be sure to let us know how it turns out! x, Caylie
OK I love LOVE the store bought version of these, I didn’t think they could get any better but THESE, whew! So so good! I’ll be making them every week!
Yay!!! I’m so happy to hear that 🥰 x, Caylie