Muddy Buddies

Name: Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups chex cereal ((rice Chex, corn Chex or a combination) (240 g)); 2 cups powdered sugar ((240 g)); 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips ((270 g)); 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter ((190 g)); 4 Tablespoons salted butter (, or add a pinch salt if using unsalted butter (57 g)); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ((5 ml))

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Muddy Buddies are a no-bake Chex cereal snack coated in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. This crowd-pleasing party treat comes together in minutes and stays fresh for up to a week.

🌍American 🏷️Muddy buddies 🏷️Puppy chow

Total

15 min

Servings

8

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Tastesbetterfromscratch

Ingredients

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8 cups chex cereal ((rice Chex, corn Chex or a combination) (240 g))
2 cups powdered sugar ((240 g))
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips ((270 g))
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter ((190 g))
4 Tablespoons salted butter (, or add a pinch salt if using unsalted butter (57 g))
1 teaspoon vanilla extract ((5 ml))

6 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Measure cereal into a large bowl. Set aside. Divide powdered sugar between two ziplock bags, adding 1 cup to each bag.* Set aside.
2
In a saucepan add chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter (and salt, if using unsalted butter) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. (Don’t over-heat it--just warm it until melted and smooth.)
3
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4
Pour over the prepared cereal in the bowl and stir to coat evenly. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
5
Divide coated cereal between the two ziplock bags with powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake to coat the cereal.
6
Muddy buddies will stay fresh for up to 1 week stored in an air-tight container at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Melt the chocolate mixture over medium-low heat and avoid overheating to prevent the chocolate from seizing or the peanut butter from breaking down.
Allow the coated cereal to cool for a few minutes before shaking in powdered sugar to prevent the coating from becoming too soft.
Use ziplock bags for shaking—they're easier to seal and shake evenly than bowls, and you can double-bag if needed.
Store in a truly airtight container to prevent the snack from becoming stale; a ziplock bag works if pressed firmly to remove air.

Substitutions

Semisweet chocolate chips → milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips (adjusts sweetness and depth)
Creamy peanut butter → almond butter or sunflower seed butter (for nut allergies; texture may be slightly thicker)
Salted butter → unsalted butter (add a pinch of salt to balance flavor)
Powdered sugar → powdered sugar alternative like monk fruit or erythritol blend (for lower sugar; may require slight adjustment to amount)

Storage & make-ahead

Store muddy buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.

Common Questions

Can I use a different type of Chex cereal?

Yes, the recipe works with rice Chex, corn Chex, or a combination of both. Use 8 cups total.

How do I store muddy buddies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I use natural peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter can work, but creamy peanut butter melts more smoothly and coats the cereal evenly. If using natural, ensure it's well-mixed before adding.