Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (2024)

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans!) is such a treat. Crunchy, sweet, and pepperminty, this holiday snack will fly out of the bowl. Sponsored by Enjoy Life.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe 40 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (1)

If you have time to whip up just one more thing this holiday season, make it Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans).

That’s right, no pups were harmed in the making of this irresistibly-delicious, chocolate-peppermint treat that tastes exactly like Thin Mints – YES! This sweet and crunchy snack is for your mouth only (praise be, because you won’t want to share with a single soul – dog, human, or otherwise!)

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (2)

What is Puppy Chow?

This is the final recipe in a series of desserts I created usingEnjoy Life chocolatesthis holiday season (be sure to check out my Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Soft-Batch Pumpkin Gingersnap Chocolate Chip Cookies!) and I am so so thrilled with how it turned out.

Puppy Chow is a holiday staple in my world and is traditionally made with Rice Chex, peanut butter, butter, and chocolate. As a nod to Enjoy Life’s allergy-friendly chocolates though – which contain no gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, sulfites, fish, peanuts, egg, sesame, and tree nuts, among other allergens – I nixed both the butter and peanut butter to make this more-allergy-friendly version that’s gluten-free, nut free, and vegan too.

Big words aside – you are simply going to LOVE this recipe!

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (3)

What’s Inside

For this chocolate-peppermint version of Puppy Chow I swapped regular Rice Chex for Chocolate Rice Chex, then coated the cereal in a mixture of melted Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chips, coconut oil, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes, and THEN coated it all in powdered sugar.

If you have to eat gluten free and miss eating Thin Mints – GET READY – because Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow is a dead ringer for the Girl Scout cookie favorite.I’m telling you, the flavor is identical, and it’s even got that irresistible crispy-crunchy thing going on. You better believe I will have this recipe on standby when the girl scouts come a knockin’ next year!

A Holiday Hit for All

I wasn’t sure what my kids were going to think about this recipe – you never know with mint – but both Lincoln and Cam are going crazy for Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow. They even requested it from Ben for breakfast the other day, and he delivered. “It’s cereal!” he shrugged.

DADS!!!!

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (4)

How to Make This Recipe

Start by crushing candy canes to get 1/2 cup crushed candy canes. I add the candy to a ziplock bag, place it on a towel, then have at it with a meat mallet.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (5)

I like to do this on a kitchen towel in case the bag rips from the candy shards. That way it goes on the towel vs the countertop and is easier to clean up. Set the candy aside.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (6)

Next melt Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips with coconut oil in a large bowl in the microwave until smooth, then stir in peppermint extract. I use Watkins brand, which isgluten-free.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (7)

Add Chocolate Rice Chex cerealplus the candy canes then gently fold using a large spatula until the cereal is evenly coated in the chocolate mixture.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (8)

Split the cereal between 2 gallon-size Ziplock bags containing powdered sugarthen seal and gently toss to coat the cereal in the powdered sugar.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (9)

Pour the Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow onto parchment or wax paper then let cool for an hour or so before packaging up (or scarfing!!) This snack recipe would be a hit for handmade holiday gifting or as a hostess gift. Spoon into a treat bag or mason jar then tie with a bow. I can’t think of anything better. Enjoy, enjoy!

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (10)

More Gluten Free Holiday Treats

  • Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels
  • Christmas Crunch
  • Buckeyes
  • Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
  • Gluten Free Kiss Cookies
  • Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
  • Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
  • 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats

free email bonus

Dinner Made EASY

5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!

SUBSCRIBE

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow

  • Print
  • Pin It

dairy freegluten freeveganvegetarian

5/5 (8 REVIEWS)

Description

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans!) is such a treat. Crunchy, sweet, and pepperminty, this holiday snack will fly out of the bowl.

Ingredients

makes 8 cups

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Morsels
  • 3 Tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 12.8oz box Chocolate Chex Cereal (8 cups)
  • 6 candy canes, crushed (1/2 cup)

Directions

  1. Divide powdered sugar between two gallon-size Ziplock bags then set aside. Tear off two pieces of parchment or wax paper then place slightly overlapping onto the counter.
  2. Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds then stir and continue microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until chocolate is smooth. Add peppermint extract then stir to combine.
  3. Add cereal and crushed candy canes then fold gently to coat cereal in chocolate. Divide cereal between Ziplock bags then seal, taking care NOT to squeeze the air out of the bags. Gently toss the cereal around to coat in powdered sugar then pour out onto parchment or wax paper. Let cool until chocolate is set then package in an airtight container.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (11)

PREVIOUS 5 Family-Favorite Gluten Free Christmas Recipes View Post
NEXT Top 10 Recipes from 2018 (Plus 5 of My Faves) View Post

Home / Recipes / Dessert

join the conversation

Leave a Comment

40 Comments

  1. Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (12) Beth 12.03.2023

    Highly recommended! Easy to make and so festive for this time of year. We were a bit short on coconut oil so I subbed the rest for almond butter. Can’t taste the almond butter and it still set up well.

    5

    Reply

    • Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (13) Kristin 12.04.2023

      So, so glad you loved this reicpe, Beth! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!

      Reply

  2. Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (14) Barbara Enns 12.22.2021

    How have I lived for sixty years and not heard of this stuff! OMG! So tasty & SO easy!
    Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply

    • Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (15) Kristin 12.24.2021

      Woo!! So glad you found out about the magic of puppy chow!

      Reply

  3. Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (16) Deb 12.22.2021

    I made this puppy chow for my two celiac daughters in law who love it as does a few sons who are wolfing it down as well. Yummy for all.

    5

    Reply

    • Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (17) Kristin 12.24.2021

      Woo! Glad it’s a hit with the whole family!!

      Reply

« Previous12

Free Email Series

Dinner Made EASY

5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!

Subscribe

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (18)

Free Email Series

Dinner Made EASY

5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (19)

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (20)

hi, i'm kristin!

I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!

Learn More

Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow - GF Snack Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is puppy chow snack made of? ›

What Is Puppy Chow? “Puppy chow” (a.k.a. muddy buddies) is the name for a homemade candy or snack that's made with cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. General Mills sells their own version of the popular treat, but it's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

Are Muddy Buddies girlfriends? ›

This classic chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar Chex™ Mix recipe has been a beloved part of families' kitchens for years. Transform Chex™ cereal into a delicious treat in just 15 minutes. We call it Muddy Buddies™, but you may know it as Puppy Chow.

Is puppy chow midwestern? ›

Puppy chow is a party staple in the Midwest, but not everywhere else. Puppy chow — a snack mix made of Chex cereal covered in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar — is often a fixture at parties. People outside of the Midwest have often never heard of it, and they don't know what they're missing.

What are the ingredients in DQ puppy chow? ›

Artificially Flavored Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream (Milkfat And Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate), Choco Chunks (Sugar, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Natural Cocoa, Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), ...

Why is the snack called puppy chow? ›

Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste. Somewhere along the way that got changed to Puppy Chow.

What is the original name for Muddy Buddies? ›

Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies. Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal.

Are Muddy Buddies a Midwest thing? ›

Puppy chow, also known as monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag, is the name for a homemade candy made in the United States, primarily in the Midwestern States.

Does Chex cereal have gluten? ›

Most varieties of Chex are gluten-free with one glaring version of Chex that is not gluten-free. Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Chocolate Chex, and Vanilla Chex are all gluten-free. The one type of Chex that is not gluten-free is Wheat Chex.

What is the difference between puppy chow and Muddy Buddies? ›

Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies, is made of chocolate and peanut butter-coated Chex cereal doused in powdered sugar. A perfect no-bake treat with strong Midwestern ties, Puppy Chow is always a hit at potlucks and holiday parties and is incredibly easy to make.

Who invented the puppy chow snack? ›

Chex cereal first arrived on the market in 1937, made by the Ralston Purina Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Yup, that Purina. The company had adopted the name “chow” for its animal feeds after hearing World War I soldiers call their rations that.

What else is puppy chow called? ›

Muddy buddies can go by a lot of alternate names; you may have heard them referred to as puppy chow, monkey munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag. They get the crazy names from their appearance, sometimes looking like dog food or animal treats.

Is puppy chow good for dogs? ›

Yes. Puppy Chow is good for puppies. Purina Puppy Chow recipes include the right nutrients at the right levels to support their rapidly growing bodies during their first 12 to 24 months. Learn more about Puppy Chow on the Purina Puppy Chow website.

What is puppy chow called in other states? ›

Monkey Munch

What's the difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? ›

There's sort of an ongoing debate about the name of this chocolate-covered cereal treat. Some people call it puppy chow, while others know it by different names: muddy munch, monkey munch, or muddy buddies. Muddy Buddies is actually the official name of the recipe marketed by General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal.

Is puppy chow a good snack? ›

First things first: This is a delicious snack food for people, not for feeding our puppies, dogs, or other pets that shouldn't eat chocolate. This quick, no-bake puppy snack mix will also answer to other names such as Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, Monkey Munch, or Reindeer Chow.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5878

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.