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Muddy Buddy Chex Mix is a classic snack mix made with rice Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar – easy to make, oddly addicting, and a delicious sweet snack!

Chex mix, puppy chow, on a cookie sheet.

Table of Contents

Muddy Buddy Chex Mix Recipe – Easy Puppy Chow Snack Mix!

This muddy buddy snack mix has lots of different names – puppy chow, muddy buddies, Chex puppy chow, powdered sugar cereal mix – whichever name you call it, it’s a delicious crispy and sweet snack mix with puffy rice cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter, and then covered in powdered sugar.

Simple to make with one bowl, the microwave, and a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. My kids love to shake the bag to coat the cereal in the powdered sugar! So easy they can even make it on their own.

Overhead shot of a bowl of the snack mix with peanut butter and chocolate chips to the side.

Ingredients Needed

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Creamy Peanut Butter – It’s best to not use any peanut butter that is labeled as ‘all-natural’ or ‘no-stir’. I love the Peter Pan brand of creamy peanut butter.
Butter
Vanilla Extract
Rice Chex Cereal – A store brand works too.
Powdered Sugar

Labeled ingredients for this chex mix recipe.

How To Make Muddy Buddy Chex Mix (One Bowl + The Microwave Version)

Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave of 30-second increments, stirring between each, until all the chocolate has melted and it’s a smooth mixture.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the Chex cereal into the bowl of melted chocolate + peanut butter and stir well to combine.
Transfer the cereal to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and add the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and sale until all the cereal is coated with powdered sugar.
Transfer the muddy buddy Chex mix to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set.

process photos showing how to make this chex mix recipe.

How Should I Store This Muddy Buddy Chex Mix?

Store the muddy buddy Chex mix at room temperature, inside a Ziploc bag or airtight container, for up to 1 week.

I personally think it tastes best when eaten within a day or two, it tastes fresher and crisper, but leftovers will last for up to a week.

Overhead shot of the tray of puppy chow snack mix.

Can I Make Muddy Buddies Without Peanut Butter?

If there are peanut allergies in your house there are a few options, depending on your need. Try using marshmallow fluff, sun butter, Nutella, or almond butter instead of the peanut butter.

Muddy buddies inside a serving bowl with more in the background.

What Is Muddy Buddy Chex Mix (Muddy Buddies)?

This muddy buddy Chex mix, also called muddy buddies, is a cereal snack mix made with rice Chex cereal that is coated in melted peanut butter & chocolate, and then coated in powdered sugar.

It’s a sweet, crispy, and completely addicting snack that everyone loves! Perfect for long summer days, a day at the lake on the boat, a picnic with friends, and it makes for the best movie snack too!

What Are Some Changes & Variations?

Chex Cereal : Try using any version of Chex that you want! Chocolate Chex is a great substitute for more chocolatey goodness. I have also seen a peanut butter Chex that would be fabulous or the Honey Nut Chex cereal. I prefer using the Rice Chex because of it’s mild flavor that pairs well with all the chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
Add-Ins : Try adding in some chopped nuts, crushed cookies, small pieces of chopped candy bar, or sprinkles.
Peanut Butter : It’s best to use regular creamy peanut butter. You can also use crunchy peanut butter for that added crunch. As always, feel free to experiment with using all-natural or no-stir peanut butter varieties. I don’t care for them, but I have heard from lots of readers that they work just fine.

Recipe Tips

Melting Chocolate + Peanut Butter + Butter Tip : It’s important to only cook in 30-second increments and then stir everything together. It may take a few times, but eventually the mixture will be melted and smooth. Stirring between each cook time ensures that nothing burns and that the chocolate melts smoothly and does not seize up.
Can I Use The Stove Top? : Yes! If you prefer using the stove top, then melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in large pot (over low heat) until melted and smooth. Add in the cereal and stir to coat. Then transfer the cereal to the Zipoc bag and mix in the powdered sugar.
Salted Butter vs. Unsalted Butter : I use salted butter for everything. Use whichever butter you prefer or what’s in your fridge. I think salted butter makes everything taste better, but that could just be personal preference.
Chocolate Chips : For a sweeter Chex mix use milk chocolate chip. Alternately, you could also use dark chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.

Bowl of the snack mix with chex cereal and powdered sugar.

More Fun Sweet Snacks To Try