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This recipe, also known as puppy chow, combines two favorite snacks in one – trail mix and addictive muddy buddies with Chex cereal.
You get the nutty goodness from the trail mix with the sweetness from the puppy chow in an addictive snack that’s really hard to resist! This is easy enough you can make it twice: once now and once after you eat the whole batch.
There are many things that, when placed in front of me, I can’t stop eating. Two of those things are muddy buddies and trail mix so when I came up with the idea to combine the two, I knew I’d be in trouble! This recipe takes the best of both snacks and combines into one irresistible treat.
What are Muddy Buddies?
First things first – maybe you’re wondering. what the heck are muddy buddies? It’s a homemade snack that’s made with a few simple ingredients that is completely addicting.
They’re so easy to make with peanut butter, chocolate, and butter. Once the cereal is coated, you just shake it in powdered sugar. It’s not a nutritious snack, and it’s messy, but it’s so good!
How to make Muddy Buddies Video
Table of Contents
Are Muddy Buddies the Same as Puppy Chow?
Yes! Depending on where you’re from you might know them as puppy chow, too. Some people call it puppy chow because it looks like dog kibble, but it’s definitely not for dogs!
Puppy chow is often made during the holiday season – I love to make bags of it to share with friends and family – but there’s no reason you can’t make It all year round! It’s a great dessert or snack for:
- Game-day parties
- Valentine’s day (or any holiday!)
- Birthday parties
- Netflix binge sessions
- Random cravings for this salty sweet snack!
Ingredients in Muddy Buddies
Chex Cereal: Use any kind of Chex (rice, corn, wheat or any of their flavors) for this recipe. Or use a mix!
Peanut Butter: Use a no-stir (not natural) peanut butter, like Skippy or Jif.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or milk are perfect for this.
Butter: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter helps the chocolate melt.
Powdered Sugar: For coating the puppy chow.
Trail Mix: Use your favorite kind of trail mix – anything goes – or use the individual components (nuts, raisins, M&Ms, etc).
How to Make Trail Mix Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)
You start with a classic Chex muddy buddies recipe and add in trail mix ingredients – it only takes about 15 minutes to make them. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool!
Step 1: Melt chocolate, peanut butter and butter together in a bowl. I do this in the microwave.
Step 2: Stir the Chex cereal into the melted peanut butter and chocolate. Transfer the coated cereal to a large resealable bag filled with a cup of powdered sugar. Shake the bag until the cereal is evenly coated in the sugar.
Step 3: Spread the sugar-coated cereal in an even layer on a baking sheet. Cool them for 30 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
Trail Mix Muddy Buddy Variations
Once you’ve made the puppy chow, you can add the trail mix ingredients. I like to use traditional trail mix ingredients:
Use your favorite trail mix items to switch up this recipe!
PRO TIP
Depending on what you like you can switch up the trail mix – here are some other ideas:
- Honey roasted peanuts
- M&Ms
- Raisins
- Craisins
- Chopped dried fruit
- Different nuts like cashews, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts. Or do a combination of nuts.
- Chopped peanut butter cups
- Chopped pretzels
- Chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips
Place the cooled muddy buddies in a large bag, add the trail mix ingredients and shake it up to combine.
How Long Does Puppy Chow Last?
Once you’ve made your puppy chow it will keep up to five days in an airtight container. But does it ever REALLY last that long??
FAQ
Store in an airtight container or gallon size bag. Or portion into sandwich baggies for easy snacking.
I don’t recommend freezing them. If you store them in the refrigerator they’ll last several weeks.
Yes it will last 2 weeks if stored in the refrigerator.
NO! This muddy buddy recipe is also called puppy chow and is not for dogs – dogs cannot eat chocolate.
I think the nickname came because it resembles dog food – before it’s coated in powdered sugar, that is!
Other Muddy Buddy Recipes
Once you know how to make a classic muddy buddies recipe the flavor variations are endless! This puppy chow trail mix is just one of the flavor combinations I’ve made. I love the stuff so you have to check out some of my other favorite puppy chow recipes.
- Oreo Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies
- Kit Kat Muddy Buddies
- Muddy Buddy Krispie Treats
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Muddy Buddies
- Cinnamon Roll Muddy Buddies
Trail Mix Muddy Buddies
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 5 cups Chex cereal any flavor
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted or salted
- 1-2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups peanuts I like to use Honey Roasted; use your favorite
- 1-2 cups raisins to taste
- 1 cup plain M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces would be good too
- See notes about trail mix
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. Place 1 cup powdered sugar in a large gallon sized ziploc bag.
- Place milk chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a large bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then heat in additional 30 second increments, stirring after each, until mixture is melted and smooth. Place Chex cereal into the peanut butter chocolate mixture and stir to coat.
- Place the cereal mixture into the powdered sugar bag and seal. Shake to coat the cereal. Turn it out onto prepared cookie sheet. Let the muddy buddies harden and cool.
- Optional: once they cool, give them a toss in another coat of powdered sugar (up to 1 cup) for a super white look.
- Once cooled, place muddy buddies, peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms into a large gallon size bag. I added 1 cup of raisins but if you love them, add up to 2 cups. Shake to mix, then serve or seal for later use. Store in the airtight bag/container for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
- Craisins
- Other nuts
- Reese’s Pieces
- Chocolate Chips
- Anything you like!
Recipe Nutrition
Trail Mix Muddy Buddies are an easy snack! Make the original Muddy Buddy recipe and add trail mix for a fun twist on a classic peanut butter and chocolate Chex recipe.
I’m addicted already, and I haven’t even tried it yet
I haven’t seen the new Annie movie YET, but I get Jordan’s addiction. I was around her age when the original came out and my mom took me to see it twice IN THE THEATER. Going to the theater was a big deal back then. 🙂 And the second time, I went wearing my official Annie dress, locket, and wig, no joke.
And trail mix muddy buddies? Yeah, I fairly certain I wouldn’t stop eating until I reached the bottom of this bowl.
Oh my gosh I can just picture it…
Even my 9 year son saw the movie and came home wanting to see it again. Did you guys see the actors on The Kitchen a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t even realize it was a new movie until then. If you can catch that rerun, they were really cute. I can’t even go near muddy buddies, I’m a snacker which means I never feel like I’ve eaten a lot until at the end of the day the whole batch is GONE, not good. Some things I have to make and give away too.
I didn’t! I’ll have to google it. Thanks Paula!
How have I never tried muddy buddies?! I’m trying to do a healthy thing but… I’m thinking these are a must try very soon!
You MUST try them…but give them away after you eat a bite! 🙂
I could eat all the trail mix muddy buddies and feel no guilt. Seriously, this stuff looks amazing!
At this point, me too! Two days without dessert, lol. A record!
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