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This Christmas puppy chow (aka muddy buddies recipe or “reindeer chow”) is one of the easiest no-bake desserts for holiday parties. It delivers a crisp, crunchy texture, a sweet-and-salty finish, and a festive Christmas twist (just like this pretzel Christmas crack!). It comes together fast, makes the perfect holiday snack mix, and is fully gluten-free thanks to Rice Chex and certified gluten-free pretzels.
Quick Look: Christmas Puppy Chow
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 0 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 22
- 📊 Calories: ~342 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cook Method: No cooking!
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Chocolately peanut butter crunch in every bite.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy, perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, and snacking
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Why You'll Love This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
If you love simple, festive treats like my new gluten-free Hot Cocoa Cookies or my popular gluten-free Christmas Crack, this festive Christmas puppy chow will fit right into your holiday rotation!
This recipe comes together quickly with smooth, microwave-melted chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a simple shake-in-a-bag method that coats every piece evenly. Cooling the coated cereal before adding mix-ins keeps everything crisp and prevents clumping.
With gluten-free pretzels, Christmas M&Ms, and Dandies mini marshmallows folded in at the end, you get a fun, colorful, sweet-and-salty holiday snack mix that works for parties, school treats, or easy edible gifts that everyone will love! Make some cozy dairy-free hot cocoa and enjoy!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Rice Chex cereal: Light and crisp, perfect for holding the chocolate mixture without getting soggy. Corn Chex also works.
- Dark chocolate chips: Enjoy Life melts smoothly and creates a rich chocolate base.
- Creamy peanut butter: Helps the chocolate cling to each piece for an even, glossy coating.
- Butter: Adds richness and ensures the chocolate mixture stays silky.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Powdered sugar: Creates the classic snowy finish and keeps pieces from sticking. I like to use organic powdered sugar which does not have any corn starch.
- Mini gluten-free pretzels: Adds crunch and balances the sweetness with a salty bite (just like this Christmas crack with pretzels).
- Christmas M&M candies: Bring holiday color and extra chocolate.
- Mini marshmallows: Dandies brand adds soft, fluffy texture without gluten.
How to Make This Christmas Puppy Chow
Step 1: Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2: Heat in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
Step 3: Add the Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl. Pour the glossy chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal.
Step 4: Gently toss with a wooden spoon. Toss gently to avoid breaking the cereal and to help prevent clumps.
Step 5: Transfer the coated cereal to a gallon-sized zip-top bag along with the powdered sugar. Divide into two bags if needed so everything can move freely. Shake until all pieces are coated. This shake-in-a-bag method is key for achieving an even coating without crushing the cereal!
Step 6: Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it cool for 20-30 minutes. This helps the chocolate set fully and keeps the texture crisp. I've found that closer to 30 minutes gives the crunchiest finish and prevents any lingering stickiness.
Step 7: Once cooled, pour the cereal mixture into a clean bowl and add gluten-free pretzels, Christmas M&Ms, and marshmallows. Toss gently to combine. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Muddy buddies keep their crisp, crunchy texture best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid warm areas so the chocolate doesn't soften. If you're preparing this ahead as a holiday snack mix or party snack mix, store the coated cereal separately and add marshmallows just before serving!
- This Christmas puppy chow won't freeze well, since condensation can soften the cereal and cause the powdered sugar to melt into the coating.
If you enjoy make-ahead treats, try my Easy Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Pie or these gluten-free peanut butter balls, which store beautifully in the fridge and offers a similar chocolate-peanut butter flavor profile for holiday entertaining.
Muddy Buddies Recipe FAQs
Let the chocolate-coated cereal cool completely before adding powdered sugar or mix-ins. Warm chocolate melts the sugar and softens the cereal.
This usually happens when the chocolate mixture is too hot or when the powdered sugar doesn't have enough room to move. Use a large bag and shake in batches for the best texture.
Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips melt smoothly and create a sturdier coating during microwave chocolate melting. Avoid white chocolate for the base, as it can clump more easily.
Yes! Both names refer to the popular no-bake Chex snack mix. The names can be used interchangeably and typically vary between regions.
Going to a cookie exchange? My gluten-free peanut butter blossoms are another smash hit that you must try this holiday season. Make a dozen to share (and another dozen to keep!).
More Gluten-Free Holiday Treats
Festive Christmas Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies Recipe)
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Chex cereal, Can also use Corn Chex
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, I like Enjoy Life brand
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups mini gluten free pretzels
- 10 oz Christmas M&M candies
- 1 cup mini marshmallows, I like Dandie's brand
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave safe bowl and melt in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal and use a wooden spoon to toss/combine until the cereal is completely coated.
- Add the cereal to a gallon-sized plastic zip-lock bag along with the powdered sugar. You can split this into two batches if needed so it all fits.
- Shake it up until the cereal is completely coated in the powdered sugar.
- Pour the muddy buddies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it set for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate is cooled and hardened.
- Pour it into a large clean bowl and add the gluten free pretzels, M&Ms, and marshmallows. Toss to combine. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
This was super easy to make! Thank you for all of the helpful hints along the way! My family is going to absolutely love it! Thank you, Mary!
Made this to gift at work in small holiday theme bags. It’s festive and addictive. Easy to pull together, even made a double batch. Thanks for the creativity. XOXO
This was delicious! Thank you for another great recipe!
So fun! Honestly, I never like cook or bake anything, but the pictures of this recipe inspired me! So quick and easy and satisfying! Thank you, Mary!