With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of these addictive muddy buddies. They’re irresistible and always a hit!
There’s something irresistible about a treat that combines sweet, salty, and crunchy all in one bite. And that’s exactly what you get with muddy buddies! This classic treat is as easy to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack to satisfy your sweet tooth, a fun addition to a party spread, or a homemade gift that’s sure to impress, this recipe has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Muddy Buddies Recipe
- Quick and easy. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a batch in no time!
- Perfectly balanced flavor. The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and a touch of butter creates a rich and creamy coating that pairs perfectly with the light crunch of rice cereal.
- Crowd pleaser. This snack is always a hit at parties, gatherings, or even just for an indulgent treat at home.
- Customizable. This recipe is easily adaptable with different flavor variations or mix-ins to suit your tastes or the occasion.
What are Muddy Buddies?
Muddy buddies, also known as puppy chow, monkey munch, or muddy munch, are a popular no-bake snack made with crispy rice cereal that’s coated in a rich mixture of melted chocolate and peanut butter. Once coated, the cereal is tossed in powdered sugar, creating a sweet, crunchy, and irresistibly addictive treat that’s perfect for sharing at parties, enjoying as a snack, or giving as a homemade gift.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe, including ingredient quantities and complete instructions.
- Semisweet chocolate – You can use good quality chocolate chips or chopped discs or bars.
- Peanut butter – Use “regular” creamy peanut butter. Natural peanut butters tend to be too oily to work well here. See the variations section below for some peanut butter alternatives.
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Chex cereal – I prefer rice Chex here, but you can use corn Chex or a combination. Crispix cereal will also work.
- Confectioners’ sugar – Also labeled as powdered sugar, icing sugar, or 10X sugar.
How to Make Muddy Buddies
- Make the coating. Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in the microwave, and then stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Coat the cereal. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal, and mix gently until evenly coated.
- Add the sugar. Shake the coated cereal and confectioners’ sugar in a zip-top bag or a lidded container.
- Cool. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and allow to cool and set.
Tips for Success
- Use good quality chocolate. You’ll get better flavor and a smoother melt.
- Don’t overheat the chocolate. Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in short intervals to prevent scorching and seizing. Stir well between each interval to ensure a smooth, even melt.
- Be gentle. When combining the cereal with the chocolate mixture, fold gently to avoid crushing the cereal.
- Get an even coating. Shake the cereal in a large resealable bag (or divide between two bags) or a container with a well-sealing lid to get a consistent coating. For a more uniform coating, add the sugar in batches. If you prefer a heavy coating of sugar, add another 1/2 cup.
- Let it set. Spread the coated cereal out on a baking sheet to cool and set completely before serving or storing.
Variations
- Nutty twist. Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or peanuts to the mix for extra crunch.
- Chocolate lover’s. Swap out the semisweet chocolate for dark chocolate or even a mix of semisweet and milk chocolate for a richer flavor. For even more chocolate flavor, stir in more chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white chocolate) before coating with sugar.
- Festive and colorful. Mix in some sprinkles or M&Ms! This is a fun option for holidays, birthdays, or themed events.
- Sweet and salty. Small pretzel pieces add a salty crunch that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of muddy buddies. You can mix them with the cereal or before coating.
- Marshmallows. Add some mini marshmallows (before adding the sugar) for a soft, chewy texture that pairs well with the crunchy cereal.
- More chocolate and peanut butter. Stir in some mini peanut butter cups or Reese’s Pieces. Add them before coating with sugar so they’ll get better integrated into the mixture.
- Other nut butters. Almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter are good alternatives to peanut butter.
How to Store
Store your muddy buddies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should keep up to a week, although they aren’t likely to last that long!
Can Muddy Buddies Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze muddy buddies! Place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Properly stored, they should keep in the freezer up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature. The texture may change a bit after freezing, but they’ll still be delicious.
More Cereal Treats
Muddy Buddies
Muddy buddies are a quick and easy treat that's perfect for parties, snacks, or gifting. This no-bake recipe is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 cup (255g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 7 cups (210g) rice Chex cereal
- 1 & 1/2 cups (165g) confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Place the rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently fold until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar to a large resealable plastic bag or a container with a lid. Add the coated cereal, seal, and shake until the cereal is well-coated.
- Spread the muddy buddies out on a baking sheet to cool and set. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week.
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