Halloween muddy buddies, or puppy chow, is the perfect sweet snack for any occasion during the month of October! Whether you want to serve it at a party or just make a fun treat with your kids, you won't be disappointed! In fact, there's no cooking required with this easy recipe, just mix it up and you're good to go!
Halloween Chex Mix Puppy Chow with Candy
Puppy chow is a super fun and easy-to-make snack mix that is popular all year long (check out my Christmas version)! This specific recipe features festive mix-ins to give it a spooky Halloween vibe that is great for any upcoming events.
I promise that if you serve this snack mix at a Halloween party, you won't have any left! It is completely addicting!
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I love getting to make fun and spooky Halloween-themed dishes this time of year! Not only are they always fun to make, but people always love eating them!
Make sure you check out some more of my yummy Halloween treats!
🥘 Halloween Muddy Buddies Ingredients, Notes, & Substitutions
This ingredient list is loaded with fun Halloween candy! Of course, all of these things can be picked up at your local grocery store.
- Chex - 9 cups of Chex rice cereal.
- Cheerios (optional) - 1 cup of Honey Nut Cheerios, if desired.
- Chocolate Chips - 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter - ½ cup of creamy peanut butter or a peanut butter alternative.
- Butter - ¼ cup of butter. This is equivalent to ½ of a stick (or try a butter alternative).
- Vanilla - 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a vanilla substitute.
- Powdered Sugar - 1½ cups of confectioners' sugar or try a substitute.
- Kit Kats - 1 cup of Kit Kats. You can use the bite-sized candy or cut them into small pieces.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - 1 cup of Reese's peanut butter cups, either the small bite-sized ones or just the regular size that has been cut into chunks.
- Candy Corn - ½ cup of candy corn.
- M&M's - ½ cup of M&M's. I used only the brown, yellow, and orange pieces.
- Halloween Sprinkles Candy Mix - 2 tablespoons of a Halloween mix of sprinkles.
- Mini Candy Eyes - 2 tablespoons of mini candy eyes.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Halloween Muddy Buddies
Muddy buddies are incredibly easy to make as there is no cooking required! Simply grab a large mixing bowl and you are ready to begin!
This recipe will make about 10 cups of puppy chow, so it is perfect for a big Halloween bash!
Prepare & Melt
Step 1: Measure the cereal. To get started, measure out your 9 cups (243 grams) of Chex cereal and 1 cup (339 grams) of Cheerios, if using, and pour them into a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
Step 2: Add melting ingredients. In a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl, add 1 cup (180 grams) of chocolate chips, ½ cup (129 grams) of peanut butter, and ¼ cup (56.75 grams) of butter.
Step 3: Melt. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-second increments while making sure to stir in between each session. Once the chocolate is almost completely melted, stir it vigorously until the mixture is nice and smooth.
Step 4: Add vanilla. Add in the 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract and stir again until smooth.
Combine
Step 5: Coat the cereal. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over your Chex (and Cheerios) and use a rubber spatula to gently fold the cereal until it is well coated.
Step 6: Add the powdered sugar. Coat the chocolate and cereal with the 1½ cups (180 grams) of confectioners' sugar, gently folding until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 7: Add in the candy. Next, add in the 1 cup (237 grams) of chopped Kit Kats, 1 cup of Reese's peanut butter cups, ½ cup (87.5 grams) of candy corn, 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of Halloween sprinkles, ½ cup of M&M's candies, and 2 tablespoons (15 grams) of candy eyes. Gently stir until well combined. Serve immediately or store for later.
This snack mix is great for a Halloween party! Serve it alongside some bat sugar cookies and mummy macarons for the ultimate dessert table! Enjoy!
💭 Tips & Notes
- Puppy chow is super customizable! You can mix in anything you like! Try some pretzels, plain Cheerios, or Honey Grahams cereal!
- Make sure you don't overmix your muddy buddies, as the chunks are the best part! Only stir enough for everything to be coated and well-combined.
- I have found that semi-sweet chocolate chips are the best for making puppy chow. Of course, you could experiment with your favorite variety, but it will affect the overall flavor.
🥄 Make Ahead Options
This snack stores amazingly well, so you can easily make it one or 2 days ahead of time if needed.
Freezing Muddy Buddies
You can also freeze your muddy buddies. Just place them into a large storage bag and squeeze out any excess air.
They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, let your muddy buddies thaw at room temperature.
🥡 Storing
If you have any muddy buddies left over, they can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ FAQ
This funny name is because the base recipe (just the Chex, chocolate, and powdered sugar) looks very similar to dog food! However, it definitely tastes much better!
Nope! Your muddy buddies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Of course, you can store them in the fridge if you prefer.
These are actually the exact same thing! In fact, it seems to be a regional thing as to which name you'll hear more often.
👻 More Halloween Ideas
- Halloween Cake Ideas - If you are hosting a big Halloween party or a birthday party then take a look at these impressive and festive cakes!
- Halloween Trunk-Or-Treat Ideas - Trunk-or-treat is a fun way to take your little ones trick-or-treating! So check out these ideas for decorating your trunk!
- Halloween Appetizers - These spooky appetizers are great for any festivities you may be hosting!
- Pumpkin Cakes - All of these cakes are shaped like pumpkins, making them the perfect fall-time dessert.
- Halloween Boo-ing - If you are participating in this fun neighborhood game then check out these ideas!
- Witches Brew Cocktail - For a more adult-based party, this vodka cocktail is a great way to get in the spirit of Halloween!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
Halloween Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 9 cups Chex rice cereal
- 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios (optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups confectioners sugar
- 1 cup Kit Kats (unwrapped bit size candies, or cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (unwrapped bit size pieces, or cut into chunks)
- ½ cup candy corn
- ½ cup M&M's candies (sorted for the Halloween colors - brown, yellow, and orange)
- 2 tablespoon Halloween sprinkles candy mix
- 2 tablespoon mini candy eyes
Instructions
- To get started, measure out your Chex cereal and Cheerios, if using, and pour them into a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
- In a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl, add your chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.
- Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-second increments, making sure to stir in between each session. Once the chocolate is almost completely melted, stir it vigorously until the mixture is nice and smooth.
- Add in the vanilla extract and stir again until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over your Chex (and Cheerios) and use a rubber spatula to gently fold the cereal until it is well coated.
- Coat the chocolate and cereal with the confectioners' sugar, gently folding until everything is evenly distributed.
- Next, add in the chopped Kit Kats, Reese's peanut butter cups, candy corn, Halloween sprinkles, M&M's candies, and candy eyes. Gently stir until well combined. Serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
- Puppy chow is super customizable! You can mix in anything you like! Try some pretzels, plain Cheerios, or Honey Grahams cereal!
- To store: Keep your muddy buddies in an airtight container or plastic storage bag for 7 days at room temperature.
- To freeze: Muddy buddies can be stored in a storage bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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