5 Ingredient Puppy Chow - The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (2024)

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This chocolate recipe is one I’m sure many of you already have – and lots of you enjoy. In case you don’t, I thought I’d share my version! Since homemade puppy chow is one of my husband’s favorite Christmas treats, I wanted to share this puppy chow recipe (or muddy buddies as called by some).

There are so many variations of puppy chow – but they are all similar. Some recipes are made with Crispex and some are made with Chex. Some have more butter and some have less. They are all coated in powdered sugar and chocolate and all are delicious.

I took an evening and compared a couple versions with the official Chex recipe. I’ve tried many versions in the past but I think this recipe is the winner. This is the best recipe for puppy chow. My husband happily agrees.

Here’s my compilation recipe for Puppy Chow – and it only takes 5 ingredients!

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Puppy Chow Ingredients:

8 cups cereal (Chex or Crispex, whatever you prefer)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (more or less as needed)

How to Make Puppy Chow:

In a microwave safe bowl, mix chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine. Microwave uncovered on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave in thirty second increments until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Line one clean plastic grocery inside another. It’s a frugal trick that saves you dishes.

5 Ingredient Puppy Chow - The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (2)

Measure 8 cups of cereal into the bag. Pour chocolate mix over the cereal. Twist the bags closed and gently shake the bag to coat the cereal. Toss until the cereal is completely coated.

Pour powdered sugar over the chocolate-coated cereal. Twist the bags closed and shake until the cereal is covered with powdered sugar. Periodically open the bag and move cereal around to make sure all pieces of the cereal are covered.

Empty the cereal into a covered container. Store in the refrigerator (or freezer). You can serve this puppy chow straight from the fridge or freezer. Enjoy your delicious and simple sweet snack!

Additional Puppy Chow Notes:

Puppy chow stores best in the freezer. This keeps it fresh, and honestly? You can serve it straight from the freezer without any additional thawing.

I like to store my puppy chow in quart freezer bags like these, so I can easily take a smaller bag out of the freezer when we need a special treat.

Did you know you can actually buy some brands of semi-sweet chocolate chips on Amazon for cheaper than in the store? I always watch for sales on chocolate chips, because I bake a lot. BUT, if you are in a pinch for time or baking ingredients, I recently discovered that a bundle of 6 bags of Ghiradelli’s semi-sweet chocolate chips are a good deal on Amazon!

I hope you and your family enjoy this easy puppy chow recipe as much as we do!

If you like Chex recipes, be sure to check out my 12 Days of Chex-mas! You can easily use this recipe for one of your days!

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Simple Chocolate Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies)

5 Ingredient Puppy Chow - The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (4)

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★★★★★5 from 4 reviews

Whether you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, this easy 5 ingredient recipe is definitely a keeper!

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 8 cups cereal (Chex or Crispex, whatever you prefer)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (more or less as needed)

Instructions

  1. In a microwave safe bowl, mix chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.
  2. Microwave uncovered on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave in thirty second increments until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Line one clean plastic grocery inside another.
  4. Measure 8 cups of cereal into the bag.
  5. Pour chocolate mix over the cereal. Twist the bags closed and gently shake the bag to coat the cereal. Toss until the cereal is completely coated with chocolate.
  6. Pour powdered sugar over the chocolate-coated cereal. Twist the bags closed and shake again until the cereal is covered with powdered sugar. Periodically open the bag and move cereal around to make sure all pieces of the cereal are covered.
  7. Empty the cereal into an air tight container. Store in the refrigerator (or freezer). You can serve this puppy chow straight from the fridge or freezer.
  8. Enjoy your delicious and simple sweet snack!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 217
  • Sugar: 17.3g
  • Sodium: 196mg
  • Fat: 9.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 31.5g
  • Fiber: 1.8g
  • Protein: 3.7g
  • Cholesterol: 7mg

Keywords: Chocolate

5 Ingredient Puppy Chow - The Best Puppy Chow Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does puppy chow contain? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

How do I keep my puppy chow from getting soggy? ›

Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

What is another name for puppy chow? ›

Puppy chow, also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag, is the name for a homemade candy made in the United States, primarily in the Midwestern States.

What is the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? ›

This treat is called Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies depending on the region. There is no distinction between the two recipes, it is just one recipe that goes by two names. It is also sometimes called Muddy Munch, Reindeer Chow or Puppy Food.

What is the difference between puppy chow and dog chow? ›

Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food. Some brands even add extra omega-3 fatty acids to puppy food to help with brain and eye development. On top of all of this, large-breed puppies have additional special needs.

Why is puppy chow so addictive? ›

Since dogs and cats are carnivorous creatures, protein is one of the main ingredients in pet food. As a result, many brands throw pyrophosphate into the mix, as well. The problem with pyrophosphate is it can make pet food highly addictive, which contributes to the obesity epidemic among pets.

Is puppy chow bad for older dogs? ›

However, you should still pick a food optimized for their size, breed, and age. Feeding adult dogs puppy food is generally a bad idea. Puppy food can cause rapid weight gain or nutrient deficiencies in older dogs, because they aren't likely to burn off all the energy provided by the nutrient-rich food.

Can puppy chow cause diarrhea? ›

Yes, changing a puppy's food can potentially cause diarrhoea. Puppies have sensitive digestive systems that may be more prone to gastrointestinal upset when their diet is changed abruptly. There are 4 main points to consider when changing a puppy's food.

Do you mix puppy chow with water? ›

Is it Okay to Mix Water Directly into the Dog Food Bag? No, it's not advisable. Adding water directly to the bag can cause the entire batch to become mouldy or ferment. Always separate the portion you plan to soak and add water in a bowl.

Does Purina make puppy chow? ›

Nourish the now with the expertly formulated nutrition of Purina Puppy Chow.

Why do they call puppy chow puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

Does puppy chow go bad? ›

Puppy chow is best stored in a sealable plastic bag or other airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. If refrigerating, it will last up to 2 weeks.

Why does my puppy chow taste stale? ›

Why does my puppy chow taste stale? First, before you even start the recipe, make sure the Chex cereal is not stale. Don't make the mistake of using old cereal that nobody wanted to make this recipe. That old, stale taste will be noticeable even through all the chocolate.

Can adults eat puppy chow? ›

Because puppy foods are formulated to deliver higher amounts of protein and fat, along with other nutrients needed for a puppy's rapid initial growth, feeding puppy food regularly to a healthy adult can cause unwanted weight gain, among other health problems.

What is a puppy chow snack made of? ›

Puppy chow is a snack mix made of crunchy chex cereal coated in a mixture of chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla which is covered in powered sugar.

What is the main ingredient in puppy food? ›

A whole source of animal protein which should always be the first ingredient, such as fish, poultry or meat. A source of easily digestible carbohydrates like whole grains or vegetables. Healthy fats like chicken fats and salmon oils. Healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin and glucosamine.

Should I feed my dog puppy chow? ›

You should feed puppy food until your puppy reaches maturity. Once he has reached maturity, you can switch to adult dog food. Not all breeds reach maturity at the same age, however, so this can make it harder to know when to switch.

What does puppy food consist of? ›

Puppy food does have slightly higher levels of calcium and phosphorous when compared to most adult dog foods. Puppy food also has a higher fat and protein content, meaning there are more calories per bite than the adult version of the same brand.

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