This is the best puppy chow recipe! Now, I know you probably just rolled your eyes, because who doesn’t know how to make puppy chow?! Here’s the thing. Most people don’t make it right! In my recipe, the ingredients are the same, so what makes my puppy chow even better? The ratio! More chocolate, more peanut butter, more powdered sugar!
There is a long standing argument about whether it’s puppy chow or muddy buddies. This will continue as one of the great debates long after I’m gone. It ranks up there with po-TAY-to/po-TAH-to/to-MAY-to/to-MAH-to.
For me, it’s puppy chow, but whatever the name, THIS is the best. Now, I know you probably just rolled your eyes, because who doesn’t know how to make puppy chow?! Everyone’s eaten it, everyone’s made it at least once in their life, and everyone loves it. Here’s the thing, though. Most people don’t make it right!
In my recipe, the ingredients are the same: there’s chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate chips, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. So what makes my puppy chow even better? The ratio! Nobody EVER uses enough chocolate and peanut butter and definitely not enough powdered sugar. It’s like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with half a loaf of bread and the tiniest amount of PB&J. There’s gonna be some goodness there, but unless you have the ratio right, you’re not in PB&J bliss. So today, let’s fix the problem, and make the best darn puppy chow recipe anyone has ever tasted!
It’s my mom fault that I’m such a puppy chow snob. We both have a major, major, MAJOR sweet tooth. Just check out my dessert list if you don’t believe me. I should probably rename my food blog to: Show Me the Sugar! 😉 Growing up, my mom would make puppy chow for an afternoon snack, or if we were vacationing with my cousins in Minnesota at the lake, or for when friends came over. Long story short, my mom made it a lot and you know, moms always make it best.
Like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ONLY Mom could make them, because Dad would just fold the sandwich bread instead of cutting it down the middle!
*Gasp!*
Puppy chow, like sandwiches, should only be made by moms.
At school bake sales, puppy chow was always a hot commodity. I’d quickly snag my bag, take a bite, and be severely disappointed when I realized that “this is not how MY mom makes it”! You could see the “grates” of the chex cereal, instead of it being completely encased in chocolate and peanut butter, there were no chunks (you know, the best part, when you find a multi-chex cluster stuck together by loads of peanut butter chocolate), AND you could see the thin layer of chocolate on the cereal instead of everything being covered in snowy white powdered sugar. Rookies.
Well, welcome to the big leagues!
Start by taking the whole box of chex cereal and place it into a very large bowl. Have you seen those recipes that only call for 9 cups? The box has like 12! What the heck am I supposed to do with the last 3 cups?! If you’re like me, it sits in the pantry for six months until my next kitchen deep clean and then it gets thrown out! (Did I just admit I only deep clean the kitchen every six months? Forget I said that.)
So, I fixed that problem for you, too. We’re going to use the WHOLE BOX people! If you don’t have a big enough bowl, grab a garbage bag, that’s what we always used growing up to mix the puppy chow together! Yes… It was a new one. Set this aside.
Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a large microwave safe bowl (I actually always use this 4 cup measuring cup). Microwave for 60 seconds and then stir until smooth. If the chocolate chips haven’t melted enough, microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted. Then stir in vanilla extract.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the chex cereal and stir together gently with a spatula. If using a garbage bag, shake gently, until all the chex pieces are completely covered in chocolate.
DO NOT OVER MIX. The chunks are the best part! The cereal pieces should be completely coated in chocolate, but it’s ok for a few to clump together 😉
Next, you’re going to pour in the powdered sugar. Usually, I don’t measure, but just keep pouring, mixing, and pouring more in again, until the chex is completely white! You’ll definitely have extra powdered sugar at the bottom of your bowl, but that’s nothing to complain about!
With these tips and tricks…
1. Use the whole box of cereal
2. An updated ratio of peanut butter and chocolate
3. Don’t overmix
4. Use more powdered sugar than you think necessary!
You’ve just made the best puppy chow recipe ever! You all know what it tastes like, it’s sweet, peanut buttery, extra chocolatey, and slightly crunchy, so you know you can’t put it down! The best time to eat it is right away, because the chocolate is still warm. Mmmm 🙂 , but it’s good any time, any where!
Oh! One more tip, don’t wear dark clothing while making or eating puppy chow, because if you’re anything like me, you wipe your hands on your pants instead of a napkin and walk around all day looking like Casper the friendly ghost gave you a pat down 😉
Enjoy!
– Jennifer
Puppy chow or muddy buddies? Show me the yummy!
PS – If you love this sinful dessert, you’ll also love my favorite One Bowl Brownies!
- 1 (12 oz) box rice chex
- 1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (2 lb) bag powdered sugar
- Start by taking the whole box of chex cereal and place it into a very large bowl. If you don't have a big enough bowl, we always used a garbage bag growing up to mix the puppy chow together! Yes. It was a new one. 😉 Set this aside.
- Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds and then stir until smooth. If the chocolate chips haven't melted enough, microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted. Then stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the chex cereal and stir together gently with a spatula. If using a garbage bag, shake gently, until all the chex pieces are completely covered in chocolate.
- DO NOT OVER MIX. The chunks are the best part! The cereal pieces should be completely coated in chocolate, but it's ok for a few to clump together 😉
- Next, you're going to pour in the powdered sugar. Usually, I don't measure, but just keep pouring, mixing, and pouring more in again, until the chex is completely white! You'll definitely have extra powdered sugar at the bottom of your bowl, but that's nothing to complain about!
- Store in an airtight container!
NOTE: no. This is not for your dogs. This is for humans only. 🙂
Puppy chow is so addicting! And with more chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar it must be that much better! 🙂
It’s too addicting, Matea!! I sent it to work with Trevor and I’m glad I did, but at the same time, I really regret it 😉
Am I the only one who hasn’t made it before?? I’ve seen tons of recipes, but yours is the first that has inspired me to actually make it – I think it’s the “add lots of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar” part -I can’t say no to that! 🙂
Thanks April! I hope you finally get a chance to make it…you’ll love it! 🙂
I love this stuff and am about to make another batch of it now 🙂
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 It’s so addicting, it’s hard NOT to make more than one batch!!
YES to all of this! I just made this (minus the vanilla because I forgot and it’s still amazing!!). If I’m not careful me and the kids will eat it before the hubby comes home.
Hi Holly! Thanks for making the recipe…I’m so happy that you love it! It’s addicting, isn’t it?! 🙂
Your recipe is the best! Have you tried incorporating nutella into a version of puppy chow? I want to keep all the regular ingredients but add nutella. How could I do that?
Hi Patti! Thank you…I’m so glad you love it. 🙂 That is a genius idea…I’ll have to play around and do a post for a Nutella Puppy Chow. I think that you could just replace the chocolate and peanut butter with nutella and have it turn out delicious! Let me know how it works out! 🙂
This is an amaaazzzing puppy chow recipe!! Thank you! I used cinnamon chex, because yum!
Just wanted to say careful of using nutella in the micro- it splits really really reeaaaally easily when heated.
I’ll definitely be checking out more of your recipes!
Yay!! Thanks Megan! LOVE the idea of cinnamon chex… that sounds totally delicious!! 🙂
I’ve made puppy chow dozens of times, but I was away from home so I went online to double check the recipe. I’m so glad I did! I came upon your version and gave it a try. I love this recipe; it will now be my strandard go to for maximum flavor. I love not having left over cereal, too.
Thanks!!
Hi Kim! Thanks for making the puppy chow. 🙂 I’m so happy that you love it! No leftover cereal is one of my favorite parts! 😉
No one ever seems to understand how I love the super chunky puppy chow. I need
To feel the peanut butter mixture! Thank you, I’m so excited to make this:) more so to eat it!
Hi Jess! I’m glad we’re on the same page with needing chunky puppy chow 😉 I hope you love it! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Help 😩😩😩 it’s not telling me how much chocolate and peanut butter I should use?
Hi Alyssa! If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see the full recipe with ingredients/directions! You’ll need 1 and ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips and ¾ cup creamy peanut butter! Hope that helps. 🙂
Do you use the 4 cup for all ? 4 cups of pb, 4 cups of choc. chips and 4c of butter?
Hi Christine! The full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe box above! 🙂 So it’ll be:
1 (12.8 oz) box rice chex
1 and ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chip
¾ cup peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter
1 and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
I just melt the chocolate/peanut butter mixture IN the 4 cup measuring cup. Hope that helps!
How many servings does this make?
Hi Paige! I’d say 6-12 people depending on what you’re serving it as. If you’re serving this with other snacks, I’d say it serves 12. If you’re serving it as the only dessert, I’d say it serves 6. This stuff is addicting!
Your recipe is great and your website is beautiful. I really hope you two succeed!
Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Love your video!
Thanks Renee! We have fun making them 🙂
Thanks for this! Nothing worse than the leftover cereal! Who eats the stuff plain anyway? Same with rice crispies…
Exactly!!! Glad we’re on the same page…if you haven’t, be sure to check our Rice Krispie Treats recipe…we use the whole box of cereal there, too 🙂
I used a turkey oven bag and it worked great! I have never made it before and your recipe is better then I have ever tried. Thank you!
Thanks for trying the puppy chow, Melissa! Genius idea with the turkey oven bag 🙂 SO glad you loved it! 🙂
Wow I must have lived under a rock! I hadn’t heard of it before this holiday season.
Wow! I can’t believe that…you HAVE to give it a try…be beware…it’s totally addicting. 😉 Thanks for stopping by! Happy Holidays! 🙂
How long can I store this?
Hi Beverly! It’d say it’s best within a week…or the cereal might start to lose it’s crunch…although it never lasts more than a day or two in our house. 😉
I store it in the freezer in a Ziploc bags. It keeps longer and I think it’s even better frozen!
Love that!
I made some Santa Banks out of coffee cans I had been saving for a craft project. I was going to fill them with candy but when I asked my son whether he wanted them filled with candy or puppy chow he exclaimed “PUPPY CHOW” and he’s 22 years old. This will be the recipe I use this year. Thanks for posting.
Hi Teresa! Those Santa Banks sound adorable! So happy our recipe gets to be part of your holiday fun! 🙂 Enjoy the recipe! That’s a tough choice…candy or puppy chow?! I would’ve requested both 😉
I made a batch of the Puppy Chow from the Chex Box recipe and wasn’t as crazy about it as in the past. I searched another which was yours. It is Much better. I am not sure if it is the extra Butter or Vanilla. My husband agrees. Thank you!
Yes!!!! Thanks Lorie! I’m really happy that you both loved the recipe 🙂
Amen. Thank you for calling people to respect powdered sugar. If I can see the chocolate and barely see the powdered sugar I dont waste my time with the chow.
Ha!!!! Yessssss! Glad somebody’s with me on this one. 😉
Your recipe is FABULOUS! I recently had the “regular” version of this recipe and yours is much yummier! Thanks again for this great recipe!
Thank you so much, Laura!!
Thank you for posting this recipe! Just made three batches for my coworkers and I’m sure it will be gone by noon.
Best recipe for puppy chow I’ve come across.
Three batches of puppy chow? Yes please!!! Thank you so much 🙂
I doubled this recipe using one box Corn Chex and one box Rice Chex. I only post 5 cups of powdered sugar for the double batch and I still had some left in the bottom of the bowl. And I love that I can stir in the powdered sugar instead of shaking it in a bag. Great recipe. Thank you!
Hi Jeanne! Glad you liked the puppy chow…I wish I had some now! 😉 Doubling this recipe is GENIUS!
I only *used* 5 cups powdered sugar…not post 5 cups…darn autocorrect. 🙂
Ha! Happens to me allllll the time. 😉
Hi Guys-
First it should be noted NOT to feed this to dogs. Second, maybe a healthier version? I know, don’t laugh please. Yes, it’s addictive.
Hi Elise! Ha! Yes, definitely not for the real puppies 😉 As for a healthier version, I’ll see what I can do. 🙂
Hi! Whenever I search for a recipe I put “the best” first. So when when I searched for the best puppy chow your recipe came up. I made it and you are completely right. It’s the best. YUM! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
Hi Sue, that’s so funny, I do the same thing! So happy to hear that you think it’s true to it’s name 🙂 Merry Christmas to you too!
I CANNOT WAIT to try this recipe out. I’ve been racking my brain of a good treat for my coworkers and friends and this is perfect!
Yay! Thanks Megan! I hope you and your coworkers/friends love this! 🙂
The best. thanks fo sharing.
Hi Shawnie! Thank you!! 🙂
I’ve had it before but never made it. I’m making it for our Christmas today but only have milk chocolate chips…will that work??? Should I omit the vanilla? Thanks for your recipe…I will bookmark your website! Love it!
Hi Cheryl! Milk chocolate chips will be fine 🙂 It will be sweeter…but nothin’ wrong with that! 😉 I’d also keep the vanilla. Enjoy! Thank you so much and Happy Holidays!
I’m of the no such thing as too much p-nut butter family and this recipe really fits right in. So, I was wondering if anyone had tried this w/ extra chunky p-nut butter and dark chocolate chips?
Hi Robin! I haven’t, but that sounds absolutely AMAZING! Does chunky peanut butter melt as well as creamy (aside from the chunks, of course 😉 )? If you give it a try…let me know! 🙂
Hi!
Photos look great and the recipe as well!
-S
How do you get those cute pillow looking finished pieces?
Hi Claudette! You’ll be able to get those, too! It’s because we use more chocolate/peanut butter/powdered sugar in this recipe. Also, don’t over stir! 🙂
This is by far the best and only way to make Puppy Chow!!! Yummmm😊 I love the clusters too ❤️ I did add a small can of Cocoa Peanuts and a bag of crushed/ pcs of Butterfinger candy bars too! Soo good!
Hi Tasha! Thank you so much! Genius idea with the butterfingers. <3
So glad to find this recipe– this is how MY mom always made it when I was growing up in Minnesota too! I’m with you, I never understand how something can pretend to be puppy chow if you can see the cereal. Thanks!
Haha! I’m glad you’re with me. Thanks Amanda! 🙂
We have a peanut allergy at my house…I wonder what I could use in place of the peanut butter?
Hi Janet! You could try almond butter! I’ve never tried it, but I’m sure it would work just fine. 🙂 Let me know!
We use sunflower butter in ours, and it turns out perfectly.
Yay!! That’s awesome! Thanks for letting us know 🙂
Oh My STARS! A lady who KNOWS how to respect the Puppy Chow! I’m taking a much needed “Moma only girlfriend weekend” with some besties next weekend and this WILL be a nibble I make to take for the car ride! 🌟🙋🏻💕
Thank you Thank you Thank you! This recipe will be smashing hit! I will be packing the wet wipes for our powered hands! 😂😂😂
Yes!!!!! You just made my day. 🙂 I’m so excited that a fellow puppy chow lover loves this recipe as much as I do! Have a great girlfriends weekend and yes, wet wipes are necessary (especially since I always seem to wear black pants when I make this). 😉
This is the best recipe I’ve found. And I have been making puppy chow for 30 years. And my mom and I used the garbage/grocery bag method as well. Haha
I have a issue though…mine sometimes comes out squishy not crunchy. I can’t pinpoint what I’m doing wrong 🙁 but it’s hard to trash the batch when you we’re so ready to eat it. Any ideas?
Hi Lori! Thank you SO much… that’s amazing!! 🙂 Hmmm. I’m kind of stumped about why your puppy chow would be getting squishy since that’s never happened to me, but here are some ideas:
1. What brand of chex cereal are you buying and how old is it? I don’t open my cereal until the second I’m pouring it into the mixing bowl.
2. How are you storing your puppy chow? Immediately after making the puppy chow, I let it cool, and then I store it in a sealed airtight container.
3. Is it coming out squishy immediately? If so, maybe your chocolate mixture is too hot or maybe you’ve added too much butter.
I hope that helps, Lori! Let me know if any of those ideas work for you!
Great recipe.. Everyone loves it.. FYI, cereal box only has 12 oz. now..
Thanks so much Terry! Glad everyone loves it 🙂
First time posting and my first time making this!! It was so good! My dog BamBam even stole some off the counter lol! He says hey mom it is called puppy chow so I thought it was mine! I made a second batch with white chocolate and coconut!
Ha! Love it Marina! Thank you so much! Really happy you loved it 🙂 LOVE the idea of white chocolate and coconut.
I have never made puppy chow, and believe it or not, actually never seen it. But your receipe and pics made me want to try it immediately. It was absolutely awesome. My teenage granddaughters loved it and have decided to serve it at their Halloween party this year in a large Halloween bowl with a scoop. BUT…they’ve added one extra ingredient–CANDY CORN; it’s just tossed in and not coated too much–and use just as much as needed to look good. And it tasted great. Thanks
Ummm the addition of candy corn sounds PERFECT for Halloween!!! I’ll have to give that a try 🙂 So so happy you loved the recipe!
Im from Minnesota! It just lifts my spirts for the day when someone has family or lives in Minnesota. :)(: Yummy recipe too.
Aww thanks Allie!
I made a double batch of this (yes, two boxes of Chex) for my family’s thanksgiving this weekend. It really is the BEST! Everyone raves about how good it was. Between the sixteen of us, we probably went through close to one batch, and I sent the leftovers home with everyone. So good! I’m never going back to the regular recipe (just peanut butter and chocolate chips). Amazing!
Aww thank you so much Jenna!!! So happy you think this is the best 🙂 <3
What’s the best way to store the puppy chow and how long will it remain fresh?
You can store it at room temperature in an airtight container. It’s good for about a week, but it never lasts that long in our household. 😉