Christmas Muddy Buddies

Name: Christmas Muddy Buddies (Easy Holiday Puppy Chow Recipe)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 5 cups cereal (Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Chex); 2/3 cup chocolate chips; 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup pretzels; 1/2 cup mini Reese’s peanut butter cups; 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms; 1/4 cup roasted peanuts

If there’s one holiday snack I make every single year without fail, it’s Christmas Muddy Buddies. They’re quick, nostalgic, and somehow always the first thing to disappear from the counter. This festive spin on classic puppy chow takes everything you love about the original and gives it a holiday upgrade with cinnamon cereal, mini Reese’s, red and green M&Ms, pretzels, and roasted peanuts.

No oven, no chilling, no stress — just a big bowl, a little chocolate magic, and ten minutes. Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or just want something sweet to snack on while wrapping presents, these Christmas Muddy Buddies are one of those recipes you’ll come back to year after year.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Muddy Buddies

A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike

Ready in 10 minutes with zero baking required

Sweet + salty balance thanks to pretzels, peanuts, and candy

Perfect for gifting in jars, bags, or holiday tins

Customizable with your favorite cereals and mix-ins

Ingredients You’ll Need for Christmas Muddy Buddies

Cereal: This recipe works beautifully with classic Chex, but I love using Cinnamon Toast Crunch during the holidays. The cinnamon flavor pairs surprisingly well with chocolate and peanut butter and gives the whole mix a warm, festive feel.

Chocolate chips: Melted chocolate is the base that brings everything together. Use a chocolate you genuinely enjoy eating on its own, since it’s a major flavor player here. Semi-sweet works best to balance the sweetness from the powdered sugar and candy.

Creamy peanut butter: Peanut butter adds richness, structure, and that classic muddy buddies flavor. A creamy variety melts smoothly and coats the cereal evenly.

Unsalted butter: A small amount of butter helps the chocolate melt smoothly and keeps the coating glossy instead of thick or grainy.

Powdered sugar: This is what gives muddy buddies their signature snowy coating. It balances the richness of the chocolate and keeps the cereal from sticking together.

Pretzels: Pretzels add crunch and a salty contrast that keeps this snack from being overly sweet. They also help bulk up the mix so it’s perfect for sharing.

Mini Reese’s peanut butter cups: Chopped mini Reese’s bring little bursts of peanut butter chocolate throughout the mix and make this version feel extra festive and indulgent.

Red and green M&Ms: These add color, crunch, and instant Christmas vibes. They’re an easy way to make this snack feel holiday-specific without extra work.

Roasted peanuts: Roasted peanuts add a deeper, savory crunch and help balance out the sweetness from the chocolate and candy.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

No Cinnamon Toast Crunch -> Use Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or Honey Nut Chex.

Nut-free option -> Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and skip the peanuts and Reese’s.

More mix-ins -> Mini marshmallows, chocolate-covered almonds, or chocolate-coated peanuts all work well.

Want chocolate-covered pretzels too? -> Add pretzels during the cereal step and increase chocolate chips by 1/4 cup.

How to Make Christmas Muddy Buddies (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Melt the chocolate

Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and unsalted butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth.

Step 2: Coat the cereal

Place the cereal in a large bowl with a lid if possible. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.

Step 3: Add powdered sugar

Sprinkle the powdered sugar over the coated cereal. Secure the lid and shake gently until everything is evenly dusted and no wet spots remain.

Step 4: Add the mix-ins

Remove the lid and gently fold in the pretzels, mini Reese’s, M&Ms, and roasted peanuts.

Step 5: Serve

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.

Recipe Tips for Success

A bowl with a lid makes life easier. If you don’t have one, use plastic wrap or a large zip-top bag for shaking.
Cinnamon cereal adds a holiday vibe. The warm spice pairs beautifully with chocolate and peanut butter.
Let the chocolate cool slightly before adding candy mix-ins so nothing melts.
Great for make-ahead gifting. Portion into jars or bags once fully cooled.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Avoid refrigeration to keep the powdered sugar coating intact.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Best made the same day or one day ahead for gifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Christmas Muddy Buddies also called?

They’re often called puppy chow or Christmas puppy chow — same recipe, different name.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes. They hold up well for several days when stored properly.

Why did my muddy buddies turn sticky?

This usually happens if the chocolate is too hot when adding powdered sugar or if they’re exposed to humidity.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. Just mix in batches for the most even coating.

Are muddy buddies gluten-free?

They can be — just use gluten-free cereal and pretzels and check candy labels.