Cheerios Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
If there's one snack that disappears fastest at my house, it's anything crunchy, chocolatey, and easy to grab by the handful-and this Cheerios Puppy Chow checks all those boxes. I love that it starts with a simple box of Cheerios and a few pantry staples, but turns into an irresistible sweet-and-salty treat in just a few minutes. It's perfect for after school, movie nights, game days, or anytime you want a fun snack to share… if you can keep everyone from eating it straight out of the bowl while it's still warm.
If you're looking for another puppy chow variation, check out our Peanut Butter Cow Chow or our S'mores Muddy Buddies!
quick look: Cheerios puppy chow
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 1 minute
- ⏳ Total Time: 11 minutes
- 🍪 Serving: 12 snack servings
- ⚡ Calories: about 318 calories per serving
- 😋 Flavor Profile: Crunchy, chocolatey, peanut buttery & sweet
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy, perfect for after-school snacks, parties, and holiday treat trays.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Puppy Chow
- Pantry-friendly: Starts with a simple box of Cheerios and a few basic ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Quick to make: Comes together in just a few minutes-melt, toss, and coat in powdered sugar.
- Great for any occasion: Ideal for after-school treats, movie nights, holiday parties, or packaging up as an easy edible gift.
- Kid- and adult-approved: Grown-ups love it just as much as the kids, so one batch never seems to last very long.
How to Make Cheerios Puppy Chow
Key Ingredients
- Cheerios cereal - The crunchy base that soaks up all the chocolate and peanut butter coating.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips - Melt into a rich, chocolatey layer that holds everything together.
- Creamy peanut butter - Adds flavor and helps the chocolate cling to every piece of cereal.
- Butter - Makes the chocolate-peanut butter mixture smooth and glossy.
- Vanilla extract - Adds a warm, sweet bakery-style flavor to the coating.
- Powdered sugar - Coats the cereal in a sweet, powdery finish and keeps pieces from sticking together.
- Step 1: Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla extract. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and melted.
- Step 3: Add the Cheerios to a large Tupperware (or other container) with a tight-fitting lid.
- Step 4: Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the Cheerios. Gently stir or fold until all of the cereal is evenly coated.
- Step 5: Add the powdered sugar, seal the lid, and shake well until the Cheerios are fully covered and no wet spots remain.
Tips for success and faq's
- Use a big container: A large bowl or lidded container gives the Cheerios plenty of room to move so the chocolate and powdered sugar coat evenly.
- Cool slightly before coating: Let the melted mixture sit for 1-2 minutes before pouring over the Cheerios so it's warm and pourable but not hot enough to make them soggy.
- Shake in batches if needed: If your container is small, coat and sugar the cereal in two batches so everything gets evenly covered.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you like a heavier sugar coating, sprinkle in a little extra powdered sugar and shake again until every piece looks well covered.
Yes! Puppy chow is traditionally made with rice or corn squares, but Cheerios work great too. You can also mix cereals (like half Cheerios, half rice squares) for a different texture.
You don't have to-puppy chow is usually fine at room temperature in an airtight container for a few days. If your kitchen is very warm, you can refrigerate it to keep the coating firm.
Stored in an airtight container at room temp, it's best within 3-4 days, though it's usually eaten much faster! In the fridge, it can last up to a week.
Yes, crunchy peanut butter will work and will add a bit of extra texture. Just make sure it still melts smoothly with the chocolate and butter.
If the chocolate mixture is too hot when you pour it over the cereal, it can make the Cheerios soften. Let the mixture cool slightly before coating, and don't let the cereal sit in a warm clump for too long before adding the powdered sugar.
If you tried this Cheerios Puppy Chow or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments! Thanks for visiting, and come back again!
Cheerios Puppy Chow
Equipment
- 1 Large tupperware with lid
- 1 Microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 8 Cups Cheerios
- 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
- ½ Cup Peanut Butter
- ½ Cup Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for about 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla and mix until smooth and melted.
- Add the Cheerios to a large Tupperware (or other container) with a tight-fitting lid.
- Pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the Cheerios. Gently stir or fold until all of the cereal is evenly coated.
- Add the powdered sugar, seal the lid, and shake well until the Cheerios are fully covered and no wet spots remain.
Notes
- Use a large container with a tight lid so you have plenty of room to shake and coat the Cheerios evenly.
- Let the chocolate mixture cool just a minute or two before pouring over the cereal so it doesn't make the Cheerios soggy.
- If the powdered sugar doesn't seem to cover everything, add a little more and shake again until there are no wet spots left.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge if your kitchen is very warm.
These freeze too - eat straight from the freezer!
I love this recipe! I make it all the time for the holidays. I put add ins my go to is mms, peanuts, chocolate chips after everything is coated then I will add the wilton cookie sprinkles the one that has 4 to 5 different ones and I pour all of it into it. It makes a nice amount to gift some and makes it really festive. My friends and family love it.
Good recipe, helpful when you have no Chex!
I love puppy chow with cheerios more than chex cereal. This is a great recipe!
This is a really good recipe!❤️
This recipe is awesome!👍👍👍
Just made this today with my son, and it was delicious!
I am so making this TONIGHT!! Our local grocery store is running a sale on cheerios at the moment so I bought a box and then came across this recipe. I have all of the ingredients in my pantry so I'm off to the kitchen to make it. Thanks for the recipe.
Very tasty......may add nuts or raisins/dried cranberries next time..
Question: how to store, if it lasts that long? 😁