Pumpkin Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
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If you love the classic puppy chow dessert, you’ll love this festive Fall Pumpkin Puppy Chow too!
It’s made with the well known peanut butter and chocolate flavors but with the addition of some pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. And an added bonus if you want to toss in some Fall/Halloween themed M&Ms to make it look cute!
This pumpkin mousse and pumpkin bread are two other Fall favorites you need to try!
This is one of the easiest and tastiest treats you’ll make. It’s so simple, yet totally irresistible. It’s great for parties, hangouts or just to snack on all pumpkin season long!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s easy to make
- Freezer friendly
- Takes less than 10 minutes to bring together
- Totally snackable and perfect for any celebration or get together!
- Festive for Fall!
What is Puppy Chow?
- This classic treat is basic but amazing. It’s essentially cereal covered with powdered sugar! Simply made with Rice Chex cereal, smooth peanut butter, butter, chocolate and vanilla extract. It’s a crowd-pleasing snack mix and a really fun party food!
Why is it called Puppy Chow?
- Pretty much because it remembers dog food! 😉 You’ll also hear it called “Muddy Buddies.”
Ingredient Notes
For the ingredient measurements and entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.
- Rice Chex: I love using this cereal but you could also use Crispix cereal too.
- Pumpkin purée: be sure to use 100% pumpkin puree and not the pumpkin pie filling.
- Chocolate: I like using a mix of dark chocolate chips & white chocolate chips. You could also use semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter: creamy peanut butter. You could also use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or even Nutella.
- Powdered sugar: an essential to douse over all this yummy goodness!
- Pumpkin pie spice: to give it that pumpkin-y flavor!
- Mix-ins: add in festive M&Ms or mini Reese’s pieces or whatever small candy you like best! Also you can serve as is without any mix-ins.
Step by Step Directions
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.
- Melt the butter, chocolates, and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl until smooth.
- Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla
- Pour over rice Chex and stir.
- Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag, or a large bowl with a lid, and add the powdered sugar.
- Shake until cereal is coated.
Expert Tips
- Chill it! If you have some time, you can chill the pumpkin/chocolate coated rice Chex cereal prior to coating it in the powdered sugar. Just about 10-15 minutes is all it takes. This extra steps help prevent the puppy chow from getting soggy and keeps it super crunchy!
- Make it seasonal: Change up this puppy chow based on the season! Replace the pumpkin puree with more peanut butter, and leave out the pumpkin pie spice. Add in seasonal M&Ms based on the time of year (Christmas, Valentines Day, etc.)
- Change up the Chex! Use Chocolate Chex, Peanut Butter Chex, Maple Brown Sugar Chex, Corn Chex, etc.
- Salty vibes: Feel free to add something salty to balance the sweetness (pretzels or salted peanuts!)
- Use a really large mixing bowl to make it easy to stir everything together.
- After you mix the powdered sugar in, you can spread the puppy chow out on a baking sheet to make sure there are no large clumps and all the cereal is fully coated.
Storage
- Keep in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 1 week. (although I think it tastes best the first 1-2 days of making it).
- I love my puppy chow cold, so it can also keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months (if it lasts that long! 😉)
FAQ
Can I make this “regular” puppy chow if I don’t like pumpkin?
Sure! Replace the pumpkin puree with more peanut butter, and leave out the pumpkin pie spice. You can also use all dark chocolate or semi sweet chocolate instead of a mix of white and dark chocolate if desired.
Do I have to keep puppy chow refrigerated?
No, it can stay in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 1 week but I love it cold so I keep mine in the freezer!
How many cups of rice chex are in a 12 oz box?
There is 11 cups of cereal in the standard 12 oz. box. This recipe uses 7-8 cups. The family size box of rice chex has about 17 cups of cereal so you could make a double batch with the family size box!
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Pumpkin Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup 100% pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 7-8 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar, or more as desired
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- mix ins: festive M&Ms or small candy of choice
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Melt the butter, dark chocolate, white chocolate and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring inbetween, until melted and smooth.
- Whisk in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
- Add the rice Chex to a large bow.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir to coat. Optional step: chill this for 10-15 minutes, the chill time can help keep the puppy chow nice and crunchy!
- Once chilled, transfer the mixture to a resealable plastic baggie and add the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
- Give it all a good shake until it is coated.
- Add in your favorite mix-ins, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Keep on the counter in an air-tight container for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months (if it lasts that long!)
Loved this! Super easy and a fun variety! I usually don’t eat puppy chow, but I definitely ate a good deal of this! The pumpkin flavor is just enough to taste it without being too overpowering. Thanks for a great recipe!
Hi Katelyn, thank you so much for the comment! I am glad he liked it after all! 🙂 I was a picky eater when I was his age so I totally get it, yay for meal time wins!!
Tis the pumpkin season! Loving the fall twist! The winning recipe looks delish! 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
YUMMY!!!! What a creative take on an old fave!!
Thank you! 🙂
I am making chocolate puppy chow this week! My family adore this easy to bring with us, snack/dessert!
Awesome! Thank you! 🙂 Enjoy <3
ooh love the twist on a classic! Would love to have you join our Meatless Monday link up too
Thanks! 🙂