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    Home » Recipes » Sweet Snacks

    4-Ingredient Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)

    Published: Aug 4, 2021 · Last modified: Apr 5, 2022 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 3 votes
    A top down view of a coral colored mug overflowing with puppy chow

    It doesn’t matter if you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, this is a quick and easy to make 4-ingredient snack! This is a small batch puppy chow recipe that’s perfect for college students in a dorm who might rely on their microwave. Try my Halloween or Cranberry Bliss Puppy Chow next time.

    A top down view of a coral colored mug overflowing with puppy chow

    Did you grow up calling it puppy chow or muddy buddies? For me, it was always puppy chow. But quite honestly, neither name is particularly appetizing! Good thing that the delicious, nostalgic flavor makes up for the poor choices of names.

    This is a small batch puppy chow recipe

    I purposely made this as a small batch recipe, and with as few ingredients as possible. The traditional recipe has six ingredients, but I cut it down to four. I fully admit that this one does not taste exactly the same as the traditional recipe, but I don’t even miss the butter and vanilla!

    Perfect for college students

    My goal in developing this version was to make it easy for college students to make in their dorm rooms, where chances are that all they have is a microwave to heat their food and they don’t have a fridge full of baking ingredients. No stove top required!

    As long as you can get your hands on the following, you’ll good to go:

    • measuring cups (½ cup and 1 cup, specifically)
    • a large microwave safe mug or microwave safe cereal bowl
    • a spoon
    Ingredients for puppy chow in bowls on a white wood surface

    What kind of Chex should I use?

    I like to use Corn Chex because it adds a little extra sweetness and I don’t feel the need to use as much powdered sugar, but you can also use Rice Chex.

    If you’re able to find Chocolate Chex, that’s delicious, too, for double the chocolate fun!

    Melting chocolate and peanut butter the right way

    In a microwave safe bowl or mug, you’re going to combine your chocolate chips and peanut butter and heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each until melted and combined.

    Don’t just set the timer for 2 minutes on High and think everything is going to be okay – spoiler alert, it won’t be! You’re going to end up with a scorched and/or splattered mess. Heating in 30 second increments and stirring after each isn’t that much extra effort, I promise.

    Peanut butter and chocolate chips in a coral colored mug
    Melted chocolate dripping off a spoon into a coral colored mug

    Two ways to mix it all together

    1. If you have a mug and a bowl at your disposal, you can add your Chex cereal to the bowl and pour the melted peanut butter chocolate mixture over the top, then stir to combine and coat.
    2. If you only have a bowl that you’ve melted the peanut butter and chocolate together in, you can just pour the Chex mix in and stir to combine and coat.
    Melted chocolate being poured into a white bowl full of corn Chex cereal
    A spoonful of Chex coated in melted chocolate above a white bowl

    Four different ways to coat in powdered sugar

    1. You can add the powered sugar to your bowl a little at a time, carefully stirring to combine and coat.
    2. If you have a plate or lid for that bowl, you can hold that over the top and shake to combine!
    3. If you have a resealable plastic or reusable storage bag, add it all to the bag, seal it shut, grab one end with each hand and get to shakin’.
    4. But if you have a tupperware container, adding it all to the container and then shaking the beejezus out of it is easier – and frankly, more satisfying!
    Melted chocolate covered Chex cereal in a resealable plastic bag
    Powdered sugar being poured into a resealable plastic bag full of puppy chow
    A resealable bag full of puppy chow after having been shaken to coat
    A resealable bag full of powdered sugar coated puppy chow

    How long can I store puppy chow?

    Puppy chow can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. But I very seriously doubt it will last that long ;)

    Fun fact: This quantity fits perfectly in 3 cup food storage container!

    A coral colored mug that has "You're my person" written on it filled with puppy chow mix

    After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!

    A top down view of a coral colored mug overflowing with puppy chow

    4-Ingredient Puppy Chow (Small Batch Muddy Buddies)

    5 from 3 votes
    It doesn't matter if you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, this is a quick and easy to make 4-ingredient snack! This is a small batch puppy chow recipe that's perfect for college students in a dorm who have limited means for cooking and baking.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 2 cups Chex cereal, Rice or Corn
    • ½ cup powdered sugar, up to ¾ cup

    Instructions
     

    • In a microwave safe bowl or mug, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter and heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each until melted and combined.
    • In a medium bowl, add your Chex cereal. Pour the melted peanut butter chocolate mixture over the top of the cereal, and stir until evenly coated.
    • Pour powdered sugar on top, then either use one of the following methods to coat and combine:
      – Cover bowl with lid (if it has one) and shake
      – Cover bowl with a similarly sized plate, hold tightly and shake
      – Transfer to a large resealable bag and shake
      – Use a spoon to stir to combine
    • Transfer to clean bowl or mug, and snack away – enjoy!

    Notes

    • Can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Fits perfectly in 3 cup food storage container!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 12mg
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Author Leslie Kiszka
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kay

      September 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      I subbed vanilla protein powder for half the powdered sugar (because I just don’t have enough powdered sugar) and it tasted less sweet than normal muddy buddies but still very tasty and with that vanilla taste I like

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        September 29, 2021 at 9:49 am

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply

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    Hi there! I'm Leslie. I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with easy to follow homemade recipes and a little humor. About Leslie ⟶

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