I have never met a puppy chow recipe (also called muddy buddies) I didn’t like. There’s something about this sweet, salty, crunch snack that invites several dozens of handfuls of indulgence. The name of the snack isn’t accidental – the company that originally made Chex cereal – Ralston Purina – is the same brand that makes classic pet foods like…drumroll please…. puppy chow! Made in St. Louis since 1936, we have the great state of Missouri to thank for this simple, satisfying treat. Read on for a quick and easy recipe to make puppy chow.

Tips for Making This Puppy Chow Recipe

As a no-bake recipe that comes together in under half an hour, this is a GREAT last minute addition to a party. It’s also great for including kids in the kitchen as it requires no knives or hot surfaces! However, if you’re brand new to baking, keep a few things in mind.

Chocolate

The hardest part of the recipe by far is melting the chocolate. Don’t stick your chocolate in the microwave and go about your business – it needs a bit of babysitting so it doesn’t turn chalky and crumbly. Put your chips in the microwave for short bursts (around 30 seconds) and stir in between each time in the microwave. Chocolate chips appear to hold their shape even as they melt.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is also not the easiest substance to work with. I love my tiny rubber spatulas (affiliate link) both to get peanut butter out of the jar, and to get it out of the measuring cup. Some people recommend spraying non-stick oil on your measuring cups to help the peanut butter out, but I don’t like adding extra oil to my baking and I’ve never found it very effective with peanut butter.

Recipe to Make Puppy Chow