If you’re familiar with puppy chow (some also call them muddy buddies), you know how incredibly delicious it is. And if you’re not, it is absolute pleasure to introduce you to this delicacy.
I grew up making puppy chow all the time.
In fact, I have distinct memories of making it with my cousin when she’d babysit on the weekends.
We’d pour everything into a huge Ziploc bag and have so much fun shaking it up.
And then, of course, it was so delicious to enjoy together too.
I like to share this memory because this part of what food can be – nostalgia.
Food provides nutrients, but it also provides so much more. There are so many more reasons to eat food than just the nutrients it provides.
Food provides flavor. It can be fun. It can be a special memory or invoke nostalgia. Food can even be a fun experience.
It’s important to get a variety of nutrients from the food you eat. And it’s important to enjoy the food you eat too.
And that’s one of many reasons why I love this Sweet & Salty Puppy Chow.
It invokes feeling of nostalgia, but it’s also just really freaking good.
I love dessert – and especially anything chocolate and peanut butter – and this one is amazing.
The Chex cereal is coated in a mixture of chocolate and peanut butter. Then, powdered sugar is added to everything.
The powdered sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness and also makes it so the mixture isn’t overly sticky.
Pour onto cereal
Add the Chex cereal to a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate on top.
Mix cereal & chocolate
Using a spatula, gently mix so that all the cereal is covered (you will think you don’t have enough chocolate – I promise, you do! Keep mixing – you want the Chex to be fully covered, but not totally drenched in chocolate).
Pour mixture in bag & shake
Pour the mixture into a large plastic bag (I recommend gallon size). Pour in the powdered sugar.
Close well and shake until all Chex are evenly covered with powdered sugar. They should almost have a grayish color. If some are super white and some don’t have any powdered sugar yet, keep shaking.
Add the pretzels & peanuts
Pour back into a large bowl. Add the pretzels and peanuts and mix to combine.
Notes
- Chocolate: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are best here!
- Peanut butter: Use a natural, drippy peanut butter (I love the brand Teddy’s). It will melt the best. Because this recipe is already sweet on its own, a peanut butter with added sugar may make it a little too sweet.
- Coconut oil: Just a little helps the chocolate melt really well. You can also use butter instead of coconut oil.
- Mix ins: Add color by adding some M&Ms into the mix. Or add more salty flavor with crushed potato chips.
- Storage: Store puppy chow in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 5 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup mini pretzels roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup salted peanuts roughly chopped
Instructions
- Add chocolate chips, peanut butter, and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Chex cereal to a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate on top. Using a spatula, gently mix so that all the cereal is covered (you will think you don’t have enough chocolate – I promise, you do! Keep mixing – you want the Chex to be fully covered, but not totally drenched in chocolate).
- Pour the mixture into a large plastic bag (I recommend gallon size). Pour in the powdered sugar.
- Close well and shake until all Chex are evenly covered with powdered sugar. They should almost have a grayish color. If some are super white and some don’t have any powdered sugar yet, keep shaking.
- Pour back into a large bowl. Add the pretzels and peanuts and mix to combine.
