This easy Valentine's Puppy Chow recipe takes only minutes to make but will put a smile on everyone's face! Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you with this irresistibly sweet and crunchy snack! It makes an adorable Valentine's Day treat!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your whole family how much you care than with this homemade Valentine's Puppy Chow!
It is the perfect blend of sweet and salty and makes the perfect treat for Valentine's parties.
This recipe is so easy, your kids can even help make it.
For a sweet Christmas treat, try my Christmas Muddy Buddy Recipe. I make this on repeat through the holiday season!
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💗 Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This is an easy recipe made with simple ingredients.
- This is a no-bake recipe, so it is extremely quick to make.
- This is a fun recipe that kids can help with.
- The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar is irresistible.
- This sweet treat is great for birthday parties, Valentines Day parties, or movie nights!
- Wrap up a serving in pretty cellophane and give it away as a Valentine's treat!
- Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a delicious treat made with love!
📋 Ingredient Notes
The ingredients for this recipe are easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Rice Chex. I used gluten-free Rice Chex cereal, but you could use your favorite Chex cereal.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you could use milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chocolate chips, or a combination!
- Peanut butter. I used smooth peanut butter, which gives it a velvety consistency. I haven't tried it with crunchy peanut butter, but I bet it would be delicious!
- Pretzels. I used mini pretzels, but you could also use pretzel sticks, or leave them out if you don't want them.
- Valentine's M&M's and white chocolate chips. I used pink, red, and white M&Ms (Cupid's Mix) and white chocolate chips. You could also use mini marshmallows, peanuts, or Valentine's sprinkles. Also, feel free to use different colors of M&Ms or candy such as conversation hearts.
See the full printable recipe card for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
🥣 Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the pretzels to a large mixing bowl and the entire box of Rice Chex (about 9-10 cups). Set aside.
Step 2: Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Do this by heating them in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals in the microwave and stirring until smooth; or melt them in the air fryer on the reheat setting, also in 30-second intervals; or melt them in a medium saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, constantly stirring until smooth and velvety.
Step 3: Add vanilla extract and stir until combined.
Step 4: Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture. Working quickly, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, being careful not to break up the cereal.
Step 5: Add ¾ cup of powdered sugar to a large Ziploc bag. Add half of the chocolate-coated cereal to the bag, along with half of the M&Ms and half the white chocolate chips. Seal the bag. Shake until the cereal is coated. You can also use a large bowl instead of a large plastic bag.
Step 6: Transfer the puppy chow mix to a large baking sheet covered in wax paper or parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining Chex mixture, powdered sugar, M&M's, and white chocolate chips.
Step 7: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. I like to store it in a Ziplock bag and keep it in my freezer. Anytime I feel like a sweet treat, I grab a handful and chow down!
Step 8: Enjoy!
💭Expert Tips
- Use dark chocolate chips with peanut butter for maximum flavor.
- It makes the perfect Valentine's Day treat.
- Make sure to only mix half of the mixture with the powdered sugar at a time.
- Cover each piece in powdered sugar evenly for balanced sweetness.
- For extra flavor, add chopped nuts or mini marshmallows.
- Use two large baking sheets, and spread the puppy chow snack mix in a single layer.
- For best results, let the mixture chill in the fridge or freezer before serving.
- Store a Ziploc bag full of Chex mix puppy chow in the freezer - it tastes great chilled!
🧾 Recipe FAQs
The origin of this delicious snack dates back to World War II. The snack was served to soldiers in the Army, who jokingly referred to it as "Puppy Chow" because it reminded them of dog food.
Yes, Muddy Buddy is essentially the same as Puppy Chow. It is also known by the names of Reindeer Chow and Monkey Mix.
Yes, you can freeze Puppy Chow. Place it in an airtight container or in a Ziploc bag. Place it in the freezer and grab a handful whenever you want a snack!
Yes, Puppy Chow snacks can spoil if not properly stored. To avoid this, it is recommended that the mix be kept in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag at room temperature for up to a week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
👩🏻🍳 More Sweet Treats You'll Love
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📋 Recipe
Valentines Puppy Chow Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking Sheet
- Ziploc bags
Ingredients
- 9-10 cups Rice Chex Cereal 1 box
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup Valentine M&Ms
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the pretzels to a large mixing bowl, along with the entire box of Rice Chex (about 9-10 cups). Set aside.
- Step 2: Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Do this by heating them in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals in the microwave and stirring until smooth; or melt them in the air fryer on the reheat setting, also in 30-second intervals; or melt them in a medium saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat, constantly stirring until smooth and velvety.
- Step 3: Add vanilla extract and stir until combined.
- Step 4: Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture. Working quickly, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, being careful not to break up the cereal.
- Step 5: Add ¾ cup of powdered sugar to a large Ziploc bag. Add half of the chocolate-coated cereal to the bag, along with half of the M&Ms and half the white chocolate chips. Seal the bag. Shake until the cereal is coated. You can also use a large bowl instead of a large plastic bag.
- Step 6: Transfer the puppy chow mix to a large baking sheet covered in wax paper or parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining Chex mixture, powdered sugar, M&M's, and white chocolate chips.
- Step 7: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. I like to store it in a Ziplock bag and keep it in my freezer. Anytime I feel like a sweet treat, I grab a handful and chow down!
- Step 8: Enjoy!
Notes
- Use dark chocolate chips with peanut butter for maximum flavor.
- It makes the perfect Valentine's Day treat
- Make sure to only mix half of the mixture with the powdered sugar at a time.
- Cover each piece in powdered sugar evenly for balanced sweetness.
- For extra flavor, add chopped nuts or mini marshmallows.
- Use two large baking sheets, and spread the puppy chow snack mix in a single layer.
- For best results, let the mixture chill in the fridge or freezer before serving.
- Store a Ziploc bag full of Chex mix puppy chow in the freezer - it tastes great chilled!
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