This Peppermint Puppy Chow is a festively sweet, completely irresistible holiday snack mix that will be the star of your Christmas party. It’s a 10-minute, no-bake puppy chow snack made from just Chex cereal, white chocolate, candy canes, and powdered sugar. It’s the perfect last-minute addition to any holiday cookie tray.
This is the ultimate easy puppy chow recipe for the holidays. Kids love helping with the “shaking” step (and the eating step!), and it’s the perfect sweet treat for gifting. It’s a holiday staple, right next to our no-bake Reindeer Pretzel Treats and festive Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer.
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IMPORTANT: Is This Puppy Chow for Dogs?
NO! Please be aware that this puppy chow recipe is a sweet, human-only snack mix. It is NOT safe for dogs. The name “Puppy Chow” is a fun, common name for this treat because its appearance is similar to the dog food brand.
Chocolate, sweeteners, and other ingredients in this recipe are toxic to animals. (If you’re looking for information on dog food, please see our FAQ section below!).
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Puppy Chow Recipe
- So Fast, No-Bake: This is a true easy puppy chow recipe that’s ready in about 10 minutes. There’s no baking, just a quick melt in the microwave.
- Ultra Festive: This is the perfect puppy chow for christmas. The white chocolate and crushed red candy canes make it look like a snow-covered peppermint treat.
- Sweet & Salty: It’s the ultimate combination of a sweet, powdery coating, rich white chocolate, and the salty, crispy puppy chow chex mix crunch.
- The Best Holiday Gift: This christmas puppy chow is perfect for packing into holiday tins, cellophane bags, or Mason jars for a simple, homemade gift.
The Best Peppermint Puppy Chow
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 (approx. 1/2 cup each) 1x
Description
This Peppermint Puppy Chow is an easy, 10-minute, no-bake holiday snack! A festive and irresistible mix of Chex cereal, white chocolate, and crushed candy canes.
Ingredients
- 5 cups (135g) Rice Chex cereal (or Corn Chex)
- 10 oz (282g) high-quality white chocolate, finely chopped (see notes)
- 1 cup (approx. 8-10) crushed peppermint candy canes
- ¾ cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
Instructions
- Prep Cereal: Pour the 5 cups of Chex cereal into a very large bowl. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt White Chocolate: Place the chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each, until smooth and fully melted. (Alternatively, melt in a double boiler).
- Coat Cereal: Pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal. Add the 1 cup of crushed candy canes. Use a large spatula to gently fold the mixture until all the cereal is evenly coated.
- Shake with Sugar: Transfer the warm, coated cereal to a large (2-gallon) Ziploc-style bag. Add the ¾ cup of confectioners’ sugar. Seal the bag and shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes until every piece is coated.
- Cool & Set: Pour the Peppermint Puppy Chow onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Let it cool completely until the chocolate has hardened (about 20-30 minutes).
- Store: Once dry, break up any large clumps and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Best White Chocolate: Do NOT use white chocolate chips; they will seize. Use high-quality white chocolate baking bars (like Ghirardelli or Bakers) or vanilla almond bark / melting wafers.
- How to Crush Candy Canes: The easiest way is to place unwrapped candy canes in a Ziploc bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet.
- Prevent Soggy Puppy Chow:
- Let the melted chocolate cool for 1-2 minutes before pouring.
- Fold the chocolate onto the cereal gently, don’t stir.
- Shake in two batches if your bag is too full.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
What is Puppy Chow? (Is it the Same as Muddy Buddies?)
Yes! You’ve probably heard this snack called both names, and it can be confusing. Let’s clear it up.
“Puppy Chow” and “Muddy Buddies” are the exact same thing.
- Puppy Chow: This is the original, common homemade name for the snack, coined in the Midwest. It got its name simply because the lumpy, powdered-sugar-coated Chex pieces look a bit like… well, Kibbles ‘n Bits.
- Muddy Buddies: This is the official, trademarked name used by the cereal’s creator, General Mills (Chex). When they started printing the recipe on the box, they called it “Muddy Buddies.”
So, whether you call it puppy chow, muddy buddies, or “reindeer chow,” it’s all the same delicious chex mix puppy chow snack.
Peppermint Puppy Chow Ingredients
You only need 4 simple puppy chow ingredients for this festive version.
- 5 cups Rice Chex cereal: (or Corn Chex, or a mix of both)
- 10 oz white chocolate: (high-quality, see pro-tips below)
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candy canes: (about 8-10 large candy canes)
- ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar: (also known as powdered sugar)
How to Make Peppermint Puppy Chow (Step-by-Step)
This puppy chow recipe easy version takes just 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Prep Cereal: Pour your 5 cups of Chex cereal into a very large, wide-bottomed bowl.
- Melt White Chocolate: Finely chop your white chocolate. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each burst, until it’s about 90% melted. Remove and just keep stirring until the residual heat melts the rest. This prevents it from seizing.
- Coat Cereal: Pour the smooth, melted white chocolate over the cereal in the large bowl.
- Add Peppermint: Immediately sprinkle the 1 cup of crushed candy canes over the chocolate-coated cereal.
- Fold (Don’t Stir!): Use a large silicone spatula to gently fold the chocolate and candy canes onto the cereal. Scrape from the bottom and fold over the top. Be gentle to avoid crushing the cereal. Continue until every piece is evenly coated.
- Shake (The Fun Part!): Transfer the coated cereal into a large (2-gallon) Ziploc-style bag or a large Tupperware container with a lid. Add the ¾ cup of powdered sugar, seal the bag tightly, and SHAKE! Shake for a good 1-2 minutes until every single piece is evenly coated and looks like a tiny snowball.
- Cool and Set: Pour the Peppermint Puppy Chow onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread it into a single layer to cool and let the chocolate harden completely (about 20-30 minutes).
Once it’s dry, break up any large clumps and transfer it to an airtight container.
An In-Depth Guide to Your Ingredients
This peppermint puppy chow recipe is simple, but the quality of your ingredients, especially the chocolate, makes a huge difference.
What Cereal to Use for Puppy Chow?
This is a common question! The “Chex” in puppy chow chex mix is the key.
- Rice Chex: This is the classic. It’s light, airy, and has a neutral flavor that lets the peppermint and white chocolate shine.
- Corn Chex: This is also a fantastic choice. It’s slightly thicker and has a mild, toasty corn flavor that adds a nice complexity.
- Crispix: In a pinch, Crispix works too! It has both corn and rice sides and a great crunch.
- Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use Rice Chex, which is naturally gluten-free!
The Best White Chocolate for Melting (A Critical Tip!)
This is the most important part of the peppermint puppy chow recipe. Do NOT use white chocolate chips.
White chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape (think: in a cookie). They contain stabilizers and will not melt into a smooth, pourable liquid. They will “seize” and become a clumpy, unusable mess.
For the best results, you must use one of these:
- White Chocolate Baking Bars: Look in the baking aisle for high-quality white chocolate bars (like Ghirardelli or Baker’s). These are designed to melt perfectly.
- Vanilla Almond Bark: This is a fantastic, foolproof option. It’s designed specifically for melting and coating and will give you a perfect, smooth finish every time.
- Vanilla Melting Wafers: (Like Ghirardelli melting wafers). These are also a great, easy-to-use option.
How to Easily Crush Candy Canes
Don’t try to crush them in a blender or food processor—it will turn them into a fine, sticky dust.
- The Bag Method: This is the easiest way. Unwrap your candy canes, place them in a heavy-duty Ziploc-style bag, seal it, and lay it flat.
- The “Whack” Method: Use a rolling pin, a meat mallet, or even a heavy-bottomed pan to gently (or not-so-gently!) whack the candy canes until they are crushed into small, festive pieces.
Pro-Tips: How to Prevent Puppy Chow From Getting Soggy
This is the #1 problem people have with any puppy chow recipe. A soggy, clumpy mess is so disappointing. Here are the three secrets to perfectly crisp christmas puppy chow.
- Tip 1: Let the Chocolate Cool Slightly. Don’t pour piping hot, watery chocolate directly onto the cereal. After it’s melted, let the white chocolate sit for 1-2 minutes. You want it to be thick and just warm, not scalding hot. This ensures it coats the cereal instead of soaking into it.
- Tip 2: Fold, Don’t Stir! This is key. Use a large silicone spatula. Go down to the bottom of the bowl, scrape along the bottom, and fold the cereal over on top of itself. This gentle motion coats every piece without breaking the cereal into a mushy, soggy crumb.
- Tip 3: Shake in Batches (If Needed). If your bag is too full, the powdered sugar will clump. Don’t be afraid to do this in two batches. Put half the cereal in the bag with half the sugar, shake, and repeat. This guarantees a light, even, snowy coating on every single piece.
The “Classic” Peanut Butter Puppy Chow Recipe
Love the peppermint, but also craving the original? This article is the only one you need. The classic peanut butter puppy chow is the original recipe that started it all, and it’s a fan favorite for a reason.
Classic Puppy Chow Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Step-by-Step for Classic Peanut Butter Puppy Chow
- Place your cereal in a very large bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
- Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until melted and smooth (about 90 seconds total).
- Stir the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture.
- Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and fold gently until all cereal is coated.
- Transfer to a 2-gallon Ziploc bag, add the powdered sugar, seal, and shake until fully coated.
- Spread on parchment paper to cool completely.
More Christmas Puppy Chow Variations
This recipe is a perfect base. Here are a few other puppy chow recipe christmas ideas!
Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow
This is the ultimate hybrid! Make the Classic Peanut Butter Puppy Chow recipe above. After you’ve spread it on the parchment paper to cool, drizzle the entire tray with melted white chocolate and sprinkle it with crushed candy canes. This is the best of both worlds!
“Reindeer Chow” (A Holiday Favorite)
This is a christmas puppy chow mix that’s perfect for a party. Make the Classic Peanut Butter Puppy Chow recipe. Once it’s cool, toss it in a large bowl with:
- Red and Green M&Ms
- Mini Pretzels
- Mini Marshmallows
“Grinch” Puppy Chow
This is a super fun one for kids.
- Make our main Peppermint Puppy Chow recipe.
- Before you pour the melted white chocolate over the cereal, add 3-4 drops of green gel food coloring and stir it in.
- Coat the cereal as directed.
- After shaking in powdered sugar, toss the green puppy chow with red heart sprinkles (you can find these in the baking aisle!).
These are perfect for a full dessert board, along with No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars or White Chocolate Haystacks.
How to Store and Gift Christmas Puppy Chow
How to Store It
This snack mix stores beautifully, which makes it a perfect make-ahead treat.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
- Room Temp: It will stay fresh and crispy at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerator: You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: You can freeze puppy chow! Place it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
How to Package for Gifting
This christmas puppy chow is the best holiday gift! It’s homemade, delicious, and easy to make in big batches.
- Cellophane Bags: Scoop it into clear cellophane gift bags and tie them with a festive red or green ribbon.
- Holiday Tins: This is a classic! Line a holiday cookie tin with parchment paper and fill it to the brim.
- Mason Jars: A wide-mouth Mason jar filled with Peppermint Puppy Chow and tied with twine is a beautiful, rustic gift. This makes a perfect gift alongside a jar of Caramel Apple Snack Mix.
Your Puppy Chow Questions Answered (FAQ)
Is there a difference between Muddy Buddies and puppy chow?
Nope! As we covered above, they are the exact same snack. “Muddy Buddies” is the official brand name from Chex, and “Puppy Chow” is the common, homemade name.
What is puppy chow called now?
It’s called both! “Puppy Chow” is still the most popular homemade name for it. “Muddy Buddies” is the official brand name that General Mills (the makers of Chex) prints on the box and uses for their pre-packaged snack. You can use either name, and people will know what you’re talking about!
What is the healthiest dry food for puppies?
This puppy chow recipe is a sweet treat for humans and is not safe for dogs. Chocolate and other ingredients are toxic to pets. If you are looking for food for an animal, we trust authority sources like the American Kennel Club (AKC) for advice on pet nutrition.
What are some other variations of muddy buddies?
The options are endless! We included our favorites (Peanut Butter, Peppermint Bark, and Grinch) in the ‘Variations’ section above. You can also try versions with Biscoff, Nutella, or different cereals. The base method of “melt, coat, shake” works for almost anything!
The Perfect 10-Minute Holiday Treat
This guide has everything you need to make the perfect batch of holiday puppy chow. We’ve covered the irresistible (and fast!) Peppermint Puppy Chow recipe, the classic Peanut Butter Puppy Chow, and all the pro-tips to avoid a soggy mess.
With fun variations like “Reindeer Chow” and “Grinch Chow,” plus easy gifting ideas, you’re ready for any holiday party, cookie exchange, or homemade gift. This easy puppy chow recipe is a guaranteed hit.
If you tried this recipe or have your own fun variation, let us know in the comments below!