Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and this Valentine's Puppy Chow is one of those no-bake treats I make every year because it's quick, easy, and disappears almost immediately. It's sweet, crunchy, and simple enough to throw together while dinner's cooking or right before movie night.
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If you're planning a Valentine's dessert spread, this pairs really well with Valentine Sugar Cookies, Valentine Pretzel Rods, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
If you like snack mixes with a twist, you'll also love my Smoked Chex Mix for something more savory.
Recipe at a Glance
- Type: No-bake snack mix
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Valentine's parties, classroom treats, movie nights
- Make Ahead: Yes
- Storage: Room temperature or freezer
Jump to:
Why This Valentine's Puppy Chow Works
- No oven needed: Perfect when the kitchen's already busy.
- Quick to make: From bowl to container in minutes.
- Kid-friendly: Easy enough for little helpers.
- Festive without being fussy: A simple base with Valentine colors mixed in.
This is the same classic puppy chow as my Christmas Muddy Buddies recipe, just dressed up for Valentine's Day with candy colors.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Rice Chex. One full box. 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 sprinkles for a little extra Valentine flair, but I usually keep it simple.
- Butter and Vanilla Extract: To enrich the chocolate mixture.
- Powdered Sugar: For that classic puppy chow coating.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Valentine's Puppy Chow
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Step 1
Prepare the Base. Add the Rice Chex cereal and pretzels to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2
Melt the Chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. You can also do this on the stove over medium-low heat if you prefer.
Step 3
Coat the Mix. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and pretzels. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated, being careful not to crush the cereal.
Step 4
Add the Powdered Sugar. Add about ¾ cup powdered sugar to a large ziplock bag. Transfer half of the chocolate-coated mix into the bag along with half of the M&Ms and white chocolate chips. Seal and shake until coated. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Step 5
Cool. Spread the coated cereal onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Let it cool completely before storing.
Helpful Tips from My Kitchen
- Use a big bowl: It's easier to coat everything evenly without breaking the cereal.
- Work quickly: The chocolate sets fast once it hits the cereal.
- Chill before serving: A short rest in the fridge or freezer helps the coating set and keeps everything crisp.
- Great for gifting: Scoop into small bags or jars for Valentine treats.
FAQs
The name dates back decades - the snack resembles dog food, even though it's definitely meant for people.
Yes. Muddy Buddies is just another name for Puppy Chow.
Yes. Mini marshmallows, peanuts, or different seasonal candies all work great.
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! 😊
Printable Recipe
Valentine's Puppy Chow
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 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
- Add the Rice Chex cereal and pretzels to a large bowl.
- Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir to coat.
- Add ¾ cup powdered sugar to a Ziplock bag. Add half the cereal mixture, half the M&Ms, and half the white chocolate chips. Seal and shake until coated. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Spread on a lined baking sheet and cool completely before storing.
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Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Chill before serving for extra crispiness.
- Easy to double for parties.
- Variations: Add nuts, mini marshmallows, or different-colored candies.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. 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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