Harvest Puppy Chow Recipe is packed with chocolate chips, peanut butter and more. Enjoy classic Puppy Chow with all the flavors of Fall that include a tasty Autumn Mix of candy.
Whether you call it Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, this delicious blend of ingredients is a tasty treat. We enjoy it year-round but wanted to make it extra special for an Easy Fall Dessert.
Everything you love about the traditional flavor of Puppy Chow Recipe is packed into this recipe. There is lots of Chex mix cereal coated with peanut butter, powdered sugar and more.
However, we have added some extra special ingredients for Fall. The colors of Reese’s Pieces make the perfect mix in for this Autumn treat. Plus, the candy corn and pumpkins make it look even more festive. We also love this Reese’s Dessert Recipe and No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts.
Table of contents
Is Puppy Chow And Muddy Buddies The Same?
Yes, both of these refer to the same great recipe. Puppy Chow is the original name for this recipe that started in the Midwest.
Later, Chex Cereal realized how much everyone loved the idea. They started putting the recipe on the back of the boxes of cereal. They called the recipe Muddy Buddies.
Since that time, this treat has commonly been referred to as either Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Chips. You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate.
- Peanut Butter. Creamy peanut butter is the best for this recipe.
- Butter. This helps to make the creamy mixture, and we prefer real butter.
- Vanilla Extract. Always try to use pure vanilla extract.
- Rice Chex Cereal. You can also use Corn Chex Cereal.
- Powdered Sugar. Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- Autumn Mix Candy. This includes candy corn and candy pumpkins.
- Pretzel Twists. You can also use pretzel sticks.
- Reese’s Pieces. The fall colors of Reese’s Pieces make this perfect for the recipe.
Find the complete ingredients for the recipe at the bottom of the page.
Substitutions and Additions
- Chex Cereal. We used Rice Chex but you can substitute Corn Chex, Crispix cereal, Chocolate Chex or Cinnamon Chex.
- Seasonal. Simply change out the candy to make these work for other seasons. It is a great treat to enjoy all year long.
- Assorted Candy. Instead of Reese’s Pieces, you can try using M&M’s, sprinkles, chopped cookies or anything small you like.
- Gluten Free. If you need to make this snack mix without gluten, make sure the pretzels are gluten free. Also, do not use Wheat Chex cereal.
How to Make Harvest Puppy Chow
Step 1. Combine the chocolate, peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract. Melt in a microwave safe bowl.
Step 2. Melt in intervals. Place in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds. Continue doing this until the chocolate is melted and combined with the peanut butter.
Step 3. Place the rice or corn Chex cereal into a large bowl.
Step 4. Then pour the melted chocolate combination over the Chex cereal.
Step 5. Use a spatula to gently fold the cereal to coat it completely in the chocolate.
Step 6. Then pour the powdered sugar into a gallon ziplock bag. Next, pour the chocolate covered Chex cereal in the ziplock bag.
Step 7. Seal the bag and shake to coat the Chex in the powdered sugar mixture.
Step 8. Spread the cereal on a baking sheet. Allow it to cool completely.
Step 9. Once cool, mix in the Reese’s Pieces.
Step 10. Then add the Autumn mix candy and pretzel twists.
Pro Tips
- Double the recipe. This treat is super easy to double if you plan to host a crowd or hand this out to friends. Just make sure you have a really large bowl.
- Peanut Butter. It is best to skip the all-natural peanut butter in this recipe. The processed variety works best. We prefer Peter Pan or Jiff.
- Candy. If you are unable to locate the Autumn Mix, you can just buy the candy corn and pumpkins separately.
- Allow to cool. Ensure the cereal mix has properly cooled before storing in containers.
- Melt in intervals. Make sure not to rush the process. Melt the mixture in 30 second intervals.
FAQs
No, this recipe can be stored at room temperature up to a week. Just make sure to store in an airtight container or bag so it stays fresh.
Puppy Chow is an easy recipe to make in advance. We do this frequently for parties and it really helps with preparation.
This recipe can easily be made up to 5 days in advance. Just make sure to keep it stored inside an airtight container.
More Easy Puppy Chow Recipes
- Halloween Puppy Chow Recipe
- Funfetti puppy chow recipe
- Brownie Puppy Chow Recipe
- Puppy Chow Recipe
- St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow Recipe
I am so excited for you to try Harvest Puppy Chow Recipe. Once you make this easy dessert, leave a comment and star recipe rating.
Harvest Puppy Chow Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 9 cups Chex Cereal
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 11 oz Autumn Mix Candy candy corn and candy pumpkins
- 2 cups Pretzel Twists
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces
Instructions
- In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate, peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract.
- Place in the microwave and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir and microwave again for 30 seconds. Continue doing this until the chocolate is melted through and stir to thoroughly combine it with the peanut butter.
- Place the Chex cereal in a larger bowl.
- Pour the melted chocolate combination over the Chex cereal.
- Use a spatula to fold the cereal to coat it completely in the chocolate.
- Then pour the powdered sugar into a gallon ziplock bag.
- Pour the chocolate covered Chex cereal in the ziplock bag.
- Seal the bag and shake to coat the Chex in the powdered sugar mixture.
- Allow to cool completely on a bake sheet.
- Mix in the Autumn mix candy, Reese’s pieces and pretzel twists.
Recipe Video
Hello! I plan on making this as a “favor” for an autumn baby shower I’m hosting. I will probably have to double the recipe to make enough. Could you please tell me approximately how many cups is in your 12 serving recipe. Also, if I plan on packaging in separate plastic bags…would suggest I do that the “day of” the shower or could that be done the day before and still taste fresh!?? Thank you in advance!
Barb
This recipes makes approximately 14 cups of the puppy chow. You can easily make this the night before and package them up and it will still be fresh for the shower. I hope everyone enjoys it!