Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies, aka Puppy Chow, is a family favorite winter treat that tastes like hot chocolate with a crunch. It is so quick and easy to make this no-bake recipe and a fun way to enjoy the cozy flavors of hot cocoa in munchable form!

hot chocolate muddy buddies
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent daily!)

No Mug Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies

Whether you call it Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow, there is no better way to transform the comforting feeling from a sip of hot cocoa into a crunchy and sweet treat. This delicious recipe is a simple combination of peanut butter, powdered sugar, chocolate, marshmallow and Chex cereal and the easiest way to savor a steaming mug of chocolate, but served as a festive snack.

While I love my original Puppy Chow recipe along with my other versions too (you must check them out!), I knew that I needed an alternate combination that both captures the taste of my favorite steamy drink and also feels like a comforting cup from childhood. Perfect for cold winter days and a festive way to enjoy the hot chocolate season, this savory sweet snack mix is the best way to “eat” this chilly weather beverage because it’s not sipped but rather served in a bowl to feed any non-thirsty crowd!

Why We Love This Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Adds a fun flavor combination to a classic Puppy Chow recipe.
  • Sweet and savory festive snack.
  • Tastes like comforting hot chocolate with a crunch.
  • Perfect for a party, a packaged edible gift, or a delicious winter treat.
hot chocolate muddy buddies

Ingredients / Shopping List

  • Rice Chex cereal
  • Bittersweet chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips may be used in this recipe.
  • Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter in this recipe.
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Marshmallow fluff/creme
  • Hot cocoa mix: Any brand of hot cocoa powder should work, just try to make sure you use at least 1.5 ounces.
  • Powdered sugar
  • Snow Caps candy
  • Mini marshmallows

Substitutions and Additions

  • Change The Chex: For this recipe, I use Rice Chex, but you can use Corn Chex, Chocolate Chex, or even Crispix cereal in your mix.
  • Customize Your Crunch: If you are making these Muddy Buddies for the holidays, you can toss in some colored M&M’s or holiday sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
  • Mix-Ins: Feel free to add some of your favorite mix-ins, like sprinkles, crushed peppermint, candy pieces, or even Hershey’s Kisses.
  • Gluten Free: You can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Make sure you do not use Wheat Chex in your Muddy Buddies and check the ingredients in your hot cocoa mix.
hot chocolate muddy buddies
  • Large container (with cover) or 2 gallon Ziploc bag
  • Medium microwave-safe bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheets
  • Wire racks

SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW

How to Make the Recipe

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies is festive sweet treat that makes snacking the next best thing to drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. This is a quick and easy snack idea to munch on this season!

  1. Place cereal in a container with a lid or a Ziploc bag. Set aside.
  2. Combine chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter and heat in the microwave until melted.
    Pro Tip: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until mixture is smooth.
    melted chocolate in glass bowl
  3. Stir in the marshmallow fluff.
    stir in the marshmallow fluff into the chocolate mixture
  4. Whisk together hot cocoa mix and powdered sugar in a separate bowl.
    mix hot cocoa mix and sugar in a bowl
  5. Add the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture to the bag with the cereal and shake to coat the cereal.
    Add the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture to the bag with the cereal
  6. Add the powdered sugar mixture to the bag and shake until fully coated.
    Add the powdered sugar mixture to the bag
  7. Cool muddy buddies on wire racks set inside baking sheets.
    Pro Tip: Allow muddy buddies to cool for about 30 minutes before packing up. Make sure you allow the muddy buddies to set after you toss them in the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix. Otherwise, they will be very messy and clump together in the bag.
    hot chocolatemuddy buddies on drying rack
  8. Toss with marshmallows and snowcaps (Optional for an extra festive mix).
  9. Enjoy!
    hot chocolate muddy buddies

Tips

  • Make sure you allow the muddy buddies to set after you toss them in the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix. Otherwise, they will be very messy and clump together in the bag.
  • You can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Make sure you do not use Wheat Chex in your Muddy Buddies and check the ingredients in your hot cocoa mix.

Storage Tips

  • To Store: Store your Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
hot chocolate muddy buddies

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Muddy Buddies?

The basic recipe for Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) is Rice Chex coated in a mixture of melted chocolate and peanut butter, all coated in powdered sugar. There are many alternative versions to the original recipe, including this Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies. Check out my other delicious snacks, such as my Lemon Puppy Chow, Halloween Puppy Chow Chex Mix, Christmas Chex Mix, and my original Puppy Chow.

Why are Muddy Buddies called Puppy Chow?

Muddy Buddies are often called puppy chow because it looks very similar to dog food. Did you know that Chex was originally made by Ralston Purina, the maker of Purina dog food? According to Wikipedia, puppy chow is also called muddy buddies, monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag.

What happens if you don’t give your muddy buddies enough time to cool?

If you don’t give your muddy buddies a bit of time to cool, the fat from the butter and peanut butter will absorb the powdered sugar and it will cause the texture to become a bit soggy inside. So, it’s best to have a bit of patience and let it sit on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes.

hot chocolate muddy buddies

Other Easy Chex Mix Recipes

5 from 3 votes
hot chocolate muddy buddies featured image

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies

Serves — 16
Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow) is a winter treat that tastes like cozy hot chocolate with a crunch. It is so quick and easy to make this no-bake recipe and a fun way to enjoy the flavors of cocoa.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Cool Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 10 cups rice chex cereal
  • 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 7 ounces marshmallow fluff/creme
  • 1.5 ounces (1.5 – 2 ounces) hot cocoa mix dry
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3.1 ounces Snow Caps candy
  • 3 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions
 

  • Add cereal to a large container (with cover) or 2 gallon Ziploc bag, set aside.
  • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter together at 30-second intervals, stirring between each one until melted and smooth.
  • Stir in the marshmallow fluff until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the hot cocoa mix and powdered sugar.
  • Add the chocolate and peanut butter mixture to the bag with the cereal and shake until the cereal is fully coated.
  • Then add the powdered sugar mixture and shake until fully coated.
  • Place two wire racks on two large baking sheets and spread the muddy buddies out to cool. Allow them to cool for about 30 minutes before packing up and enjoying.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
Store your Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Tips:
  • Make sure you allow the muddy buddies to set after you toss them in the powdered sugar and hot cocoa mix. Otherwise, they will be very messy and clump together in the bag.
  • You can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Make sure you do not use Wheat Chex in your Muddy Buddies and check the ingredients in your hot cocoa mix.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips may be used in this recipe.
  • Salted butter may be used in this recipe.
  • Any brand of hot cocoa powder should work, just try to make sure you use at least 1.5 ounces.
  • Feel free to add in other mix-ins like sprinkles, peppermint candy, etc.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 492IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 6mg

Related Recipes

Secrets to Quick & Easy Desserts
FREE EMAIL BONUS
How to make delicious desserts in no time at all!
5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments