Chocolate muddy buddies is the perfect treat for any chocolate lover! A coating of chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate chips takes this classic cereal treat to a whole new level.
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Is this called puppy chow or muddy buddies? When we lived in the Midwest, we always called it peanut butter puppy chow. After we moved, I learned that other parts of the country call it muddy buddies or monkey munch.
I love finding fun and new ways to change up the flavor of this sweet snack mix. My husband doesn't like peanut butter, so I wanted to find a way to make muddy buddies without peanut butter. It turns out all you have to do is add extra chocolate.
Did you know you can use crushed cookies in place of some of the powdered sugar? It's a fun way to give the treat an amazing texture and taste. Our kids devoured this animal cracker muddy buddies, so I couldn't wait to try another kind.
Why This Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe Works
Adding chocolate chip cookies to the chocolate muddies buddies gives it a delicious and unique cookie taste.
- Quick and easy treat. You can make this sweet Chex mix in minutes using just a microwave! No need to bake or use any special tools.
- Sweet twist on muddy buddies. Crushed chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate chips gives the mixture a chocolatey crunch.
- Everyone loves it. It is the ultimate snack to bring to family get-togethers, school events, or holiday parties.
Main Ingredients
To make chocolate muddy buddies recipe, you only need a few ingredients and mini chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Chex Cereal - Obviously, this is a chocolate snack mix, so we had to use the chocolate Chex. Feel free to use rice or corn Chex.
- Melting Wafers - Use a good quality chocolate that you can melt in the microwave. We like the Ghirardelli melting wafers the best because they melt easily and taste great. You can use vanilla or milk chocolate for this recipe.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies - Crushed crunchy cookies adds such a delicious cookie crunch to the Chex mix. We like using Keebler cookies for this, but any brand would work.
- Mini Chocolate Chips - These are totally optional, but seriously more chocolate is always a good idea.
- Powdered Sugar - Makes the snack mix extra delicious with a sugar coating.
How to Make Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Get ready to whip up a delicious treat in minutes with this amazing sweet chocolate chip puppy chow. And the best part? You don't even need an oven or any fancy equipment!
- Prep the ingredients. Add the cereal to a large bowl. Crush the cookies in a food processor. Melt the chocolate in the microwave according to the package directions.
- Stir in chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate on the cereal. Stir gently until everything is covered.
- Cover in cookie crumbs. Spoon the cereal mixture into a large ziplock bag. Add the crushed cookies and some mini chocolate chips. Close and shake until coated.
- Shake on powdered sugar. Sprinkle the chocolate mixture in the bag with powdered sugar. Close and shake again. Dump onto a parchment paper lined tray and sprinkle with more chocolate chips.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter: Keep the chocolate snack mix in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the Refrigerator or Freezer: Store it in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to a month.
Tips and Tricks
- Melt the chocolate at 50% power. Over heating the chocolate can ruin it.
- Stir gently. To avoid breaking the cereal into pieces, make sure you stir the chocolate into the cereal very gently.
- Use a Ziplock bag. Put the chocolate covered cereal in the bag and add powdered sugar. Tightly seal the bag and shake until everything is coated in white sugary goodness.
- Try different cookies. Change up the flavor by using different crunchy cookies. Shortbread cookies, red velvet Oreos, vanilla wafers, or Grasshopper cookies would all taste great.
FAQs
Yes, they are the same snack mix with different names.
Chex is the traditional cereal used in muddy buddies, but you can use any type of crisp cereal. I would avoid a sweetened one because it will make the snack mix extra sweet.
Muddy buddies are best eaten within 2-3 days. However, they can last up to 2 weeks if stored in a tightly sealed bag or container.
More Muddy Buddies Flavors
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Recipe
Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Chocolate muddy buddies is the perfect treat for any chocolate lover! A coating of chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate chips takes this classic cereal treat to a whole new level.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chocolate Chex cereal
- 1 - 10 ounces bag white chocolate melting wafers (or use milk or dark chocolate)
- 1 cup chocolate chip cookie crumbs*
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips, divided
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Melt the melting chocolate according to the package directions. Pour over the cereal in a large bowl.
- Spoon the cereal into a large Ziplock bag and pour the cookie crumbs and ¼ cup mini chocolate chips onto the cereal. Shake until the crumbs are completely covering the cereal.
- Open the bag and pour in the powdered sugar. Shake again coating the cereal one more time.
- Dump the muddy buddies onto a large tray lined with wax paper. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the mixture. Let set completely. Store in a sealed container.
Notes
- Use store bought cookies. I used 8 crunchy Keebler cookies.
- Melt the chocolate at 50% power. Over heating the chocolate can ruin it.
- Stir gently. To avoid breaking the cereal into pieces, make sure you stir the chocolate into the cereal very gently.
- Use a Ziplock bag. Put the chocolate covered cereal in the bag and add sugar. Tightly seal the bag and shake until everything is coated in white sugary goodness.
- Try different cookies. Change up the flavor by using different crunchy cookies. Shortbread cookies, Oreos, vanilla wafers, or Grasshopper cookies would all taste great.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 564Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 490mgCarbohydrates: 93gFiber: 3gSugar: 41gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published October 2013. It was updated and republished July 2023.
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
Sometimes I'd go all the way back to the store and buy a second "anything" just to realize it rolled under a seat moments ago. Ugh. At least you had everything you needed to whip up these muddy buddies! Such a delectable (and dangerous!) snack, for sure! 😀
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Jess!!
Ashley | CenterCutCook
I've found all kinds of fun things under the seats in my car. 🙂 And, I've also forgotten cases of water and laundry detergent on the bottom of the shopping cart. But, with that said, I've also had the cashier forget to give me all my bags on more than one occasion which is super frustrating! At any rate, I really wish I could eat these muddy buddies through my computer screen. Amazing! Sharing on my Facebook page tomorrow. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you for sharing Ashley!! I forgotten things on the bottom of my cart before too! Lol
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Sometimes if I wonder if they train them to be slow. Or if they need to redesign the conveyor belts. DUDE, just let me bag them. I'll be faster.
These muddy buddies are fabulous!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha!! Yes!! 😉 Thanks Dorothy!
Chels R.
I've never had muddy buddies before! My sister-in-loves were shocked when I told them that a few months ago. I guess it's something I'm going to have to rectify because everybody I know, goes on and on about them.
How did your soup end up turning out?
Jocelyn Brubaker
It turned out great! 🙂 You totally need to make some muddy buddies girl!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
You added chocolate chip cookies to puppy chow?! I would have no chance of self-control with a bowl of this next to me!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jessica!! 🙂
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
Oh my! You have convinced me to make these Muddy Buddies! I've never made Muddy Buddies because my neighbor makes a very basic recipe every Christmas and gives my hubby a huge bag. He doesn't share (maybe just a little) and is covered in powdered sugar! I'll make my own ... only better 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, do make this one!! You'll be in love! 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
How is it that I go to the store for one reason and I forget that reason and end up with a whole lot of stuff I really didn't need!! I try to make list but then I lose my list or forget them at home!! I hopeless I know! I love muddy buddies! We traditional make them at Christmas but they are great all year!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I can definitely relate to that! 😉 Muddy buddies are totally great all year long!
Megan - The Emotional Baker
I love all these flavors and your story about groceries. I think either name is fine for this great looking snack 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Megan!!
Kelly
Ah yes, the dreaded missing grocery item. It does happen from time to time here as well!
I like the name Puppy Chow a lot better than Muddy Buddies. I don't know why. Guess I just grew up with the term Puppy Chow.
To each his own, right? 🙂
I need to learn not to read your blog on an empty stomach!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I like both names, but definitely to each his own! 😉
Michelle
You do realize we'd totally be BFF's in real life, right? Forget the soup - I'll have these for dinner!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha!! Thanks Michelle!! 🙂
Tieghan
Oh my gosh, I have been there!! Terrible, but it happens to us all!
Love these muddy buddies! Anything chocolate chip cookie is good, but these just look addicting! Perfect for the holidays! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Tieghan!!
Erin | The Emerging Foodie
Yum! Love this idea! Sounds so delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
I have had the its in the car and it didn't make it back into my cart happen to me. So frustrating! These muddy buddies look great 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Laura!!
Lisa Abrams
I love this recipe. So perfectly what I need right now and I love your stories! I find the same things happen to me all the time! Thanks for sharing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Lisa!! 😉
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
I adore your use of chocolate chip cookie crumbs...that is genius 🙂 This looks fantastic!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!!
Jelli
To me, it's always been puppy chow and this variation (along with the pb cup version) looks awesome! I wouldn't mind getting my fingers covered in powdered sugar to down this yumminess.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jelli!!
Beth @ bethcakes
Oh my gosh, I love this! Of all the different flavors of puppy chow, I have never seen this one! Such a good idea. But yeah, I didn't realize until recently that some people see the name and associate it with pet treats. How can they not know what it is!? haha 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know, right?! Thanks Beth!
Happy Valley Chow
Fantastic recipe! Definitely a great twist on a classic, yummy!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you!!
Stephanie @ PlainChicken
LOVE this idea! Muddy Buddies are SO addictive.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Beyond addictive. I can only imagine how good these are! The chocolate, the crunch, the white choc - better it's in your house than mine b/c it looks too good!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Averie!!