This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Butterfinger Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies) is a crunchy, chocolatey, peanut buttery treat loaded with crushed candy bars in every bite. Sweet, salty, and impossible to resist—one handful is never enough!

Do you love puppy chow as much as we do? You can never go wrong with our classic Puppy Chow Recipe, or shake things up with our Brownie Batter Puppy Chow!

Butterfinger Puppy Chow in a bowl with chocolate chips and Butterfinger bars in the background.

Butterfinger Muddy Buddy

Butterfinger Puppy Chow takes the classic Chex snack mix and gives it a flavor makeover with a double-dose peanut butter. This super simple, no-bake snack combines cereal coated in a melted chocolate peanut butter mixture, chunks of Butterfinger candy, and a dusting of powdered sugar–the perfect sweet and salty crunch.

This Butterfinger Muddy Buddies recipe seems extra special because of the crumbled Butterfinger candy bars you’ll taste in every bite. They add both a burst of caramelized flavor and a bit of nostalgia. Once you start munching, it’s hard to resist the next handful.

What Is Puppy Chow?

Wondering what this crazy concoction is? Simply put, it’s puppy chow for people! Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow refer to cereal coated with melted chocolate and powdered sugar. Most of the time, peanut butter is involved, but over the years, cooks have created all sorts of different flavors. But, no, puppy chow is not meant for dogs – just humans!

Now, I consider myself a master Puppy Chow recipe creator. Let me tell you why. I’ve come up with the perfect peanut butter and chocolate ratio to pour over the cereal and just the right amount of powdered sugar coating so that it stays crunchy without making your hands a mess!

Why Is It Called Puppy Chow?

This snack mix is called puppy chow because it looks similar to dog food! Did you know that Chex was originally made by Ralston Purina, who made Purina dog food? According to Wikipedia, puppy chow is also called muddy buddies, monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag. But again, it is NOT meant for puppies or dogs!

For this version, I’ve added Butterfinger bars to the mix, but it’s easy to tweak the taste of each batch. Craving more chocolate? Mix more in! Care for more color or crunch? Add candy, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, pretzels, or crushed chocolate chip cookies. It’s a fun activity to create with kids and let them toss in their favorite treats.

Ingredients For The Best Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Rice Chex Cereal: For this recipe, I use Rice Chex, but you can use Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Chocolate Chex, mixed Chex, or even Crispix cereal in your mix. Keep in mind the overall flavor will be slightly different. If you follow a gluten free diet, make sure you do not use Wheat Chex in your puppy chow snack mix.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or even candy melts can be substituted for the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Creamy peanut butter: Processed peanut butter, like Jiff or Skippy, works best in this recipe. All-natural nut butters may not set well at room temperature. If you have a peanut allergy, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, and cashew butter will work well.
Salted butter
Pure vanilla extract
Fun-size Butterfinger candy bars
Powdered sugar: Want to make your snack more fun? Simply swap out the powdered sugar for funfetti cake mix, and use white chocolate chips in place of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Butterfinger Puppy Chow with a scoop and Butterfinger bar nearby.

How to Make Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Start With The Cereal: Pour the cereal into an extra large bowl. Set aside.
Melt The Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Continue heating in 15-second intervals if needed. Stir in the vanilla.
Coat The Cereal: Pour the melted mixture over the cereal and stir to coat completely. Mix in the crushed Butterfinger bars.
Shake In Powdered Sugar: Add the peanut butter chocolate-coated cereal mixture and powdered sugar to a ziplock baggie and shake to coat.
Spread And Serve: Spread the puppy chow on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to dry. Sprinkle with the chopped candy bars, serve, and enjoy!

The cereal is coated in a melted chocolate peanut butter mixture, shaken with powdered sugar, and spread out to dry.

Serving Suggestions

Puppy Chow is perfect for parties, holiday celebrations, gift-giving, portable snacks, or after dinner desserts. Serve some to your friends and save the rest for lunch bags and late-night cravings.

Bowls of Butterfinger Puppy Chow with crushed Butterfinger pieces and candy bars.

Tips & Variations

Crush The Candy: To crush the Butterfinger candy bars, place them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to smash them into small pieces; alternatively, you can put them in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Stir Or Shake: For the powdered sugar step, you can sprinkle the powdered sugar over the coated cereal mixture and stir, or you can add the coated cereal and powdered sugar to an extra large plastic bag and shake. I prefer using a ziplock bag because it keeps the powdered sugar contained and makes cleaning up much easier.
Keep the Crunch: I like to spread the coated cereal on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and let it rest for 20 minutes. This helps keep the cereal from sticking together and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Bulk Up The Base: This Butterfinger puppy chow recipe makes the perfect base for tossing with your other favorite candies and savory snacks. Use various colors and textures to make it festive for the holidays or appropriate for special occasions.
Customize Your Crunch: For extra crunch, stir in some M&Ms, sprinkles, Reese’s Pieces, crushed candy, cookie pieces, or chopped nuts.

Proper Storage

To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or a ziplock bag for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze puppy chow for up to 3 months. Make sure your Ziploc bag is tightly sealed and pop it in the freezer. Then, simply place it on the countertop to thaw.

Butterfinger Puppy Chow in a brown paper bag with candy bars and peanut butter nearby.

More Snack Mix Recipes

While you’re at it, why not make more Muddy Buddies?

If you tried this Butterfinger Puppy Chow Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

5 from 6 votes