Puppy Chow Snack Mix

Puppy chow — also known as muddy buddies — is the Midwest’s favorite no-bake snack: crispy Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then dusted in a generous blizzard of powdered sugar. It shows up in Christmas tins, on Super Bowl tables, and in every school bake sale from Ohio to Minnesota, and despite the name it is entirely for humans — the ‘puppy chow’ nickname comes from its resemblance to actual dog food.

Why this recipe works: The coating is a simple melted mixture of chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter, poured over the cereal and tossed until every piece is covered. The powdered sugar is added in batches, shaken in a bag or big bowl until the pieces are completely coated, and the whole thing sets into crunchy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery bites.

Key ingredients

• Rice or corn Chex cereal: the sturdy base — other cereals get soggy.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: melted.
• Creamy peanut butter: the coating’s soul.
• Butter and vanilla: richness and flavor.
• Powdered sugar: a lot of it — this is not a skimpy recipe.

Tips for the best puppy chow

Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each — or in a double boiler — until smooth. Pour over the cereal in a large bowl and fold gently with a spatula so the pieces stay intact. Add the powdered sugar in 2 or 3 batches, shaking in a sealed bag or covered bowl until every piece is white. Spread on parchment to set before storing.

Variations and storage

Use white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a different flavor, add a spoonful of cocoa to the sugar, or toss in some mini pretzels. Puppy chow keeps 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature and freezes well for 3 months — though it rarely survives that long.

Midwest recipes →