Puppy Chows/Muddy Buddies

Puppy chow is one of my favorite easy treats. And over the years, I’ve made quite a few variations! Below you’ll find all of my puppy chow (aka muddy buddies) recipes, including plenty of seasonal and holiday versions and a variety puppy chow flavors.

I’ve also answered some of the most common questions about making, storing, troubleshooting, and customizing puppy chow so you can make the perfect batch.

About Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies

• What is puppy chow?
Despite the name, puppy chow is a human snack. It is also running around under the name of muddy buddies.

The classic version uses Chex cereal (usually rice or corn), chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. But hundreds (if not thousands) of variations have been developed over the years.
There are versions using other cereals (like my Snickerdoodle ones).
There are versions without chocolate (like my red velvet ones) that often use candy melts (which are NOT chocolate).
There are versions without peanut butter (like my mint ones). These are great for those with nut allergies.
There are even versions without the powdered sugar (no, I don’t have any of those on this site…bring on the sweetness!) for those who can’t have or don’t want that much sugar. Suggestions include using protein powder, oat flour, finely ground nuts, or cocoa powder mix.

• Are muddy buddies and puppy chow the same thing?
Yes! It originally developed just as puppy chow because the classic, original version looked quite a bit like, well, puppy chow (for dogs) once done. Muddy buddies became a term when General Mills (the maker of Chex cereal, which is often a base ingredient) started marketing them. And eventually producing their own for sale.

The different terms are often regional. (I grew up in the Midwest calling it puppy chow and didn’t know muddy buddies even EXISTED as a term until I moved away.)

• Is puppy chow gluten free?
First, always, always check the individual ingredient package details (but if you have celiac, you know to do that).
It is gluten free if you use a certified gluten free cereal like rice Chex and you check the other common ingredients (chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar) for cross-contamination from being produced in a facility that might have gluten in other products.

Ingredients & Substitutes

• What is the best cereal for puppy chow?
-Chex is what is traditionally used.
-Rice Chex is preferred, followed by Corn Chex. You can also use chocolate or vanilla Chex (I suggest chocolate Chex in my Andes Mint muddy buddies).
-It’s best to avoid wheat Chex. It has a heavier taste that affects the overall results and has a tendency to break down when coating and mixing, resulting in a lot of crumbles.

-Crispix or Life cereal is an alternative.

-If you’re aiming for a particular flavor, you can try other cereals. (For example, I use Golden Grahams in my S’mores muddy buddies and Cinnamon Toast Crunch in my Snickerdoodle muddy buddies.)

-I’ve never tested it, but I’ve read that Cheerios can be used to make puppy chow, though the final result will be denser.

• What is the best chocolate for puppy chow?
-Semi-sweet chocolate is what is traditionally used. The “bite” of the semi-sweet balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar well.

-If you’re attempting a flavor that is going to clash with traditional brown chocolate, white chocolate can work too. (My pumpkin pie spice muddy buddies and snickerdoodle muddy buddies both use white chocolate).
-If you’re going for a unique flavor profile, you can try baking chips of different varieties. (My mint muddy buddies includes mint chips; Reese’s muddy buddies include peanut butter chips.)

-I have read recipes that use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet; I’ve also read reviews that the resulting product is much too bitter. I shall report back when I have tested this myself.

-Milk chocolate can be used, but will have a sweeter overall result.

-If you’re looking for a particular color profile, try candy melts (I suggest using paramount crystals mixed in to thin the candy melts). Yes, I realize candy melts aren’t technically chocolate. But they worked wonderfully with my patriotic muddy buddies and Easter muddy buddies, which needed specific colors to fit the holiday theme.

• Can you make puppy chow without peanut butter?
Yes! But you’re going to end up with a slightly different final product. The question is why you want to avoid peanut butter. This will determine what substitute works best.

-If you have a peanut allergy, but not a general tree nut allergy, I would suggest alternative nut butters such as almond butter or cashew butter. This will probably get you closest to the “traditional” puppy chow taste. If you don’t mind a more chocolate flavor, Nutella will also work.

-If you have a nut allergy, you’re probably already aware of sunflower seed butter. I have also heard soy butter suggested, but have never tried it.

-If you want to avoid any nut butters or nut butter alternatives, you can simply melt extra chocolate and extra unsalted butter (the dairy kind) to provide enough coating material to coat the cereal.

-If you don’t want to use peanut butter because it’s going to clash with the taste you’re going for (like my mint muddy buddies), simply omit the peanut butter and go with extra baking chips (or chocolate).

• Can I make puppy chow without butter?
Yes. The butter- in most recipe variations- simply provides a slight thinning coating and (supposedly) slightly richer flavor. I’ve made multiple batches without butter for various experiments or trying different flavors and have never noticed a lack of flavor due to a lack of butter.

• Should I use vanilla extract in puppy chow?
Yes, if it’s available and it doesn’t go against the flavor profile you’re attempting. Traditional puppy chow/muddy buddies, for example, will benefit from a bit of vanilla extract. Other flavored puppy chows- such as mint or red velvet- don’t necessarily need the vanilla extract for that bit of extra richer flavor.

• What else should I add to puppy chow?
The sky is basically the limit if you want to try out puppy chow variations. Some people swear adding a bit of salt contrasts the sweetness perfectly. Others recommend mix-ins, such as pretzels, marshmallows, or various candies. And, as you can see if you scroll down, I LOVE experimenting with flavor varieties (and the resulting substitutes or additional ingredients, as needed).

Making Puppy Chow & Trouble-Shooting

Coming soon

How to Store Puppy Chow

• Can you make puppy chow ahead of time?
Yes, definitely. That’s one of the best things about it- especially if you’re using it at a party. No day-of baking. See below for specific storage times and conditions. Following the proper storage instructions will also keep your puppy chow from going stale.

• How to store puppy chow? How long does puppy chow last?
-Airtight is best. I use a Ziploc bag but you can also use an airtight container such as a Tupperware. Always allow to cool and dry completely before storing.
-Most puppy chow can be stored at room temperature (the exception are those with ingredients that need to be refrigerated, such as variations with cream cheese) for up to a week.

• Does puppy chow need to be refrigerated?
It does not NEED to be refrigerated, but you can if you want. It stays crisper at room temperature, though. It lasts in fridge up to 2 weeks and some people prefer to eat it chilled. Make sure it is in an airtight bag/container as specified above.

• Can you freeze puppy chow?
Yes. Store in an airtight bag in freezer for 2-3 months. I personally prefer room temperature storage. But some bakers swear by freezing it. Some even prefer to eat it frozen!