Whether you call it Halloween puppy chow, Halloween muddy buddies or Monster Munch, the addition of Halloween candy and autumn colors turn this into the perfect festive party snack! Add this to your party table with a bowl of Halloween candy bark and some cinnamon buttered rum popcorn balls (for the adults, of course).

Colorful Halloween puppy chow in a glass pumpkin on a white wooden background

You know what Halloween is?

It's the American holiday where we tell kids to walk around and be cute or scary so that people will give them boatloads of candy and then they get all wired on sugar and act like tiny crazy people until they crash on the living room floor dressed up like Batman in a puddle of sugary drool.

And that's why I figured I might as well dive straight into the sugary deep end with this Halloween Chex mix muddy buddies situation.

Closeup of colorful Halloween puppy chow in a glass pumpkin on a white wooden background

Ingredients for Halloween puppy chow

Chocolate, peanut butter and devil's food cake mix-covered Chex
White chocolate, powdered sugar and sprinkle-covered Chex
Candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins
M&Ms
Reese's Pieces
Reese's white chocolate mini cups
Mini marshmallows
Gummy worms
Candy eyeballs

Overhead shot of colorful Halloween puppy chow in a glass pumpkin on a white wooden background

There is nothing refined gluten-free, sugar-free or dairy-free about this. No, wait! I used gluten-free Chex cereal! Buuuuut I guess when you pile on everything else, that sort of loses its relevancy. Womp womp.

Oh, well. Can't say I didn't try.

Adding candy to make it Halloween-themed

I just had to add something weird to this. It wouldn't be a very good Halloween treat if it didn't have something spooky or gross, right? I opted for gummy worms and candy that looks like eyeballs. Subtle, but effective.

Variations

Obviously, you can use whatever you want in this! Go nuts and swap out the M&Ms for caramels, or the marshmallows for cinnamon sugar coated roasted chickpeas (it's a thing).

You could also swap the chocolate in the coating for Nutella, or the white chocolate for a different kind of chocolate melts. Trade the devil's food cake mix for red velvet.

Frankly, this could be a Thanksgiving recipe if you took out the gummy worms, eyeballs and other Halloween candy.

The puppy chow variations are are endless, my friends.

Embrace your inner sugar-fueled Batman.

Halloween Puppy Chow (Halloween Muddy Buddies)

5 from 2 votes

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Halloween Puppy Chow: Whether you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, the addition of Halloween candy and autumn colors turn this into the perfect festive party snack! | stressbaking.com

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 35

Servings: cups

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Description

Whether you call it Halloween puppy chow or Halloween muddy buddies, the addition of Halloween candy and autumn colors turn this into the perfect festive party snack!

Equipment

Ingredients

9 cups Chex cereal, Corn, Rice, or both, divided
½ cup dark chocolate chips
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup devil's food cake mix
6 ounces white candy melts
½ cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
Halloween sprinkles
11 ounce bag Brach’s Assorted Halloween Mellowcreme Candy
1 cup Fall Harvest M&Ms
1 cup Reese's Pieces
8 ounces Reese's White Mini Cups
1 cup mini marshmallows
6 ounces gummy worms

Instructions

Divide Chex evenly between two large mixing bowls, and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
9 cups Chex cereal
In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla and heat over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and combined.
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pour over the Chex in one bowl and carefully stir to combine and thoroughly coat. Add devil's food cake mix and stir/toss to combine and coat.
1/2 cup devil's food cake mix
Pour onto one of the prepared baking sheets and let set for at least 15 minutes.
Melt white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
6 ounces white candy melts
Pour white chocolate over the other bowl of Chex and carefully stir to combine. Add powdered sugar and stir/toss to combine and coat. Add sprinkles and toss to combine.
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
Pour onto the other prepared baking sheet and let set for at least 15 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine both prepared Chex mixes along with all other ingredients and stir/toss to combine. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Halloween sprinkles
11 ounce bag Brach’s Assorted Halloween Mellowcreme Candy
1 cup Fall Harvest M&Ms
1 cup Reese's Pieces
8 ounces Reese's White Mini Cups
1 cup mini marshmallows
6 ounces gummy worms

Notes

Note: Nutrition information will vary based on the candies you choose to include.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Disclaimer

The provided nutrition information is generated by an automatic API and does not take variations across specific brands into account. This information is provided as a general guideline and should not be treated as official calculations. Learn more here.

This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been revised and republished for clarity.

Comments

Julie

I know this is meant for Halloween but I made it for Memorial day weekend with red white and blue M&Ms and I’ve already eaten too much of it and need to make more LOL

- Leslie Kiszka
  
  Nothing wrong with that, haha! The great thing about this is that it’s so easy to adapt for other holidays. Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and rating!
  
Renee Gardner

Now this is a sweet treat I could totally enjoy! Looks like a great way to use up leftover halloween candy too!! Just dump in whatever you have and enjoy. Great idea!

Lynette

Oh, yes! Not only does it look perfect for Halloween but I’m sure it’s delicious as well!

Eileen Kelly

Such a perfect Halloween treat!

Abby

I’m seriously dying over here. Forget the kids; I want this stuff all to myself!

Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking

What a great Halloween treat! Perfect for a party or kid-friendly get together!

Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago

Such a fun recipe for a Halloween party! I love the little eyeballs in there!!

therusticfoodie

I haven’t had puppy chow in forever! This looks like a great Halloween treat!

sugarlovespices

So pretty! I don’t know puppy chow, but I’m loving this Halloween treat, for kids and grown-ups :-) !

Monica

I think this is so cute! I especially love those cute little eyeballs – and even the gummy worms! Happy Halloween. :)

Alicia Taylor at Taylorlife.com

How cute is that! It’s so bright and cheerful, too! It’d be great for a kids party

neuroticbaker

I still haven’t tried puppy chow, but this looks so cute and like so eat.

Analida's Ethnic Spoon

What a fun recipe! I need to make this and take it to my office. Thanks for sharing!