Puppy Chow, which some people call Muddy Buddies, might be the absolute best snack to exist. Chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, what's not to love? The original muddy buddies recipe uses Chex cereal as a base, and though it makes a mouthwatering snack, I wanted to give it a little extra pizzazz. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Puppy Chow adds a perfect hint of cinnamon flavor to this already incredible treat. This super quick and easy recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make and no baking is required!
This recipe is perfect for parties or game days, and also makes the best back to school or Christmas and holiday gifts! If you love cinnamon treats, you'll also love these French Toast Cookies, Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls, and Cinnamon Cupcakes.
Why this recipe works
I love this ultimate snack recipe because you can create so many variations by changing up your mix-ins and because you can have this super scrumptious treat in no time at all! Using Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal instead of Chex cereal adds a hint of cinnamon, adding more deliciousness to an already delicious treat!
You can also spice it up with fun mix-ins like m&ms, chocolate chips, nuts, or anything else that excites you. This yummy homemade treat is unbelievably easy to make, which is important because it's so hard to stop eating it!
Ingredients and notes
Cinnamon Toast Crunch - You can't have a Cinnamon Toast Crunch treat without the cereal (the generic off-brand versions work just great too)! The flavor of the cereal melds super well with the chocolate peanut butter flavors creating a puppy chow with a subtle cinnamon flavor.
Peanut Butter - The peanut butter coats the cereal with a richness that also helps hold all the delicious coatings on to the cereal. Creamy peanut butter is my preference for this dessert trail mix recipe, but if you don't have it, crunchy peanut butter works too.
Chocolate Chips - Like the peanut butter, the melted chocolate helps coat the cereal and allows the powdered sugar to stick to this sweet snack mix.
Substitutions
Cinnamon Toast Crunch - Traditional Muddy Buddies are made with rice Chex cereal, however, puppy chow can be made with a variety of cereals so feel free to play around with it and try different flavor combinations!
Peanut Butter - If you're looking to make muddy buddies without peanut butter, you could easily replace the peanut butter with almond butter or sun butter or even cookie butter! Nutella is another possible substitute, however the flavor of Nutella may overpower the flavor of the cereal so it will change the flavor of this sweet snack mix.
Chocolate Chips - You can use whatever chocolate you have - milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate chips. I like to use chocolate chips or chocolate chunks, but if you don't have them you can use chocolate bars or larger chocolate. If chocolate is not your thing, you could absolutely try this with white chocolate - it will change the flavor, but would still be delicious!
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Put Cinnamon Toast Crunch in a large bowl.
Step 2: Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter on the stove or in the microwave till smooth and pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.
Step 3: Stir until the cereal is coated in the smooth chocolate peanut butter mixture.
Step 4: Put the cereal and chocolate mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag with some powdered sugar, and shake it until everything is covered in powdered sugar.
Recipe FAQs
Puppy Chow is the midwest name for this delicious treat because people think it looks like dog food. If you've never had puppy chow, don't let this deter you. And don't be fooled by the name - this delicious snack is for humans! If you have heard it called Muddy Buddies, that is the official name that Chex came up with to promote this amazing snack that usually features Rice Chex cereal.
While the name puppy chow stems from the midwest, in addition to muddy buddies, this irresistible treat is also known as monkey munch or reindeer chow, amongst other fun names!
Tips & Tricks
Tip #1: If using bar chocolate, chop it before melting it. It will melt quicker and more evenly if it's in smaller, evenly-sized pieces.
Tip #2: The chocolate, peanut butter, and butter can be melted on the stove over medium-low heat instead of the microwave.
Storage Tips
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Puppy Chow can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It should last a few weeks, if you can keep from eating it for that long!
- Ensure that the puppy chow has fully cooled before storing to prevent a soggy snack!
Related Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Leave a review below, and tag @flourdeliz on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Puppy Chow
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Silicone spatula (a wooden spoon works too!)
- Zip-top freezer bag
Ingredients
- 12 oz box Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Pour cereal into large bowl.
- In a smaller, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
- Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Microwave in additional 15-second increments if needed, stirring thoroughly after each.
- Pour over cereal and mix until the cereal is well coated.
- Pour the coated cereal into a gallon-sized zip top baggie, add the powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake until cereal is well coated.
- Cool completely, then store in the zip top bag until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated so should only be used as an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
This recipe was originally posted on January 21, 2019, but was republished with additional information in January of 2022 and with new photos in November of 2022.
Adina says
I just made this to give out as holiday presents for teachers and others. So good and easy! Making another batch tomorrow!
Liz Pollio says
I love this as a gift! It's one of my go-tos! I'm so glad you love it!!
Adina says
This looks amazing. I’m going to go buy the ingredients for this today! Perfect summertime snack by the kiddie pool.
Liz says
I absolutely love that idea!!! It really is the perfect snack - I sure can't stop eating it!
Tami says
Can this be made ahead and frozen?
Liz Pollio says
I'm not sure how freezing and then defrosting it would impact the texture of the cereal, but it should last for a few weeks in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. If you try freezing it, I'd be interested to hear how it turns out!
Maelene says
Your recipe is my first time making muddy buddies . I made use of a box of chocolate toast crunch allong with dark chocolate chunks,. I ended up needing to use 1/2 cup more powdered sugar. These buddies are quick , easy, and tasty lil snacky snacks - Thank you .
(I think salted nuts would go great in these) .
Good Lord! This made a ton so I sent the recipe to my neice - she has five youngsters- this is perfect for them.
Liz says
This recipe definitely makes a lot, but it's such a perfect snack to share! And I love the sound of dark chocolate chunks in it!! One of the things I love about this recipe is that you can get creative with the add-ins. If you try it with nuts, let me know!! I'm so glad you liked it, and so grateful for the kind words! Thank you, Maelene!