Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and what better way to spread the love than with Valentine's Puppy Chow? This sweet and crunchy no-bake recipe is a hit at parties or movie nights and is perfect for sharing with your whole family.
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If you have a pellet grill or smoker, make my Smoked Chex Mix next!
Why You'll Love This Sweet Treat
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes using simple ingredients.
- No-Bake: No need for an oven
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make with the little ones.
- Irresistible Flavor: The perfect blend of sweet and salty with a chocolatey crunch.
Valentine's Puppy Chow Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Rice Chex. I used gluten-free Rice Chex cereal, but any Chex cereal will work.
- Chocolate Chips. I prefer semi-sweet, but you can use milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter. Smooth peanut butter gives the best texture, but crunchy works too!
- Pretzels. Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks add a salty crunch.
- Valentine's M&M's and White Chocolate Chips. Cupid's Mix adds festive colors. You can also use mini marshmallows, peanuts, or Valentine's sprinkles.
- Butter and Vanilla Extract: To enrich the chocolate mixture.
- Powdered Sugar: For that classic puppy chow coating.
How to Make Valentine's Puppy Chow
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Prepare the Mix: In a large bowl, combine pretzels and the entire box of Rice Chex.
Step 2
Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. You can also do this on the stove over medium-low heat.
Step 3
Combine: Stir in vanilla extract. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Mix gently to coat.
Step 4
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Add ¾ cup of powdered sugar to a plastic bag. Add half of the chocolate-coated mix, half of the M&Ms, and half of the white chocolate chips. Seal and shake until coated. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Step 5
Cool and Store: Spread the coated cereal on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Let it cool, then store it in an airtight container.
Jeri's Tips
- Double Batch: Make a double batch for large parties.
- Storage: Store white chocolate puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
- Variations: Add nuts, mini marshmallows, or different-colored candies.
- Chill Before Serving. Chill in the fridge or freezer before serving.
Valentine's Puppy Chow Mix FAQs
The name dates back to World War II when soldiers nicknamed the snack "Puppy Chow" because it resembled dog food.
Yes, Muddy Buddy is another name for Puppy Chow. It's also known as Reindeer Chow or Monkey Mix.
Absolutely! Store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer and enjoy it anytime.
When stored properly, it lasts up to a week at room temperature, two weeks in the fridge, or two months in the freezer.
More Sweet Treats To Try
- Christmas Muddy Buddies: Perfect for the holiday season.
- Valentine Pretzel Rods: Another quick and delicious treat.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Valentine's Day: Quick and easy to make.
- Chocolate Covered Blueberries: Made with 3 ingredients.
Did you make this Valentine's Day Puppy Chow recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Valentine's Puppy Chow
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
- Combine Ingredients: Add the pretzels and the entire box of Rice Chex (about 9-10 cups) to a large mixing bowl.
- Melt: Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, use the reheat setting on an air fryer or melt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix with Cereal: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Quickly stir with a wooden spoon to coat evenly, being careful not to break the cereal.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Add ¾ cup of powdered sugar to a large Ziploc bag. Add half of the chocolate-coated cereal mixture, half of the M&Ms, and half of the white chocolate chips to the bag. Seal and shake until coated. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Spread and Cool: Spread the coated puppy chow mix on a large baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper and cool completely.
- Store and Enjoy: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. Enjoy anytime you crave a sweet treat!
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Recipe Notes:
- Double Batch: Make a double batch for large parties.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
- Variations: Add nuts, mini marshmallows, or different-colored candies.
- Chill Before Serving. Chill in the fridge or freezer before serving.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
**This post was originally published in February 2023. It has been recently updated with more information and helpful tips, but the recipe remains the same.
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