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.

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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!!!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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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

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.

Why is it called puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. 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.

Why is my puppy chow soggy? ›

Why Is My Puppy Chow Soggy? After coating the cereal mixture with powdered sugar, don't rush the process. Cool completely on a baking sheet until firm before packing into an airtight container. This step of cooling and drying is essential for puppy chow that will stay crisp, not soggy.

Is puppy chow a midwest thing? ›

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 is puppy chow called in other states? ›

Monkey Munch

What's another name for puppy chow? ›

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.

Who invented 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 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.

What does puppy chow taste like? ›

Something about clusters of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar covered-Rice Chex looking like delectable little snow balls or something like that. Seriously though, nothing screams Christmas or the holidays more to me than Puppy Chow. Not even sugar cookies, and that's really saying something!

Can dogs eat puppy chow snack? ›

Puppy food can cause diarrhea in some adult dogs. It also can lead to health problems such as obesity and subsequent joint disease. Try to feed a stage-of-life specific diet that meets AAFCO's standards for a complete balanced diet.

Does puppy chow freeze well? ›

How do you store puppy chow? This can be stored on the counter, in the fridge, or in the freezer – just make sure it's stored in an airtight container or bag. I'm partial to keeping it in the freezer! SO GOOD.

Why are my muddy buddies clumpy? ›

Chilling. Just a note that chilling the cereal/peanut butter/chocolate mixture before adding any powdered sugar is critical to making sure you have delicious clumpy, not overly sweet, puppy chow!

Why do Midwesterners say ope? ›

Insider writes: "Ope" is a word said in the Midwest that takes the place of "sorry." "Ope" is a word you say when you've made a minor mistake or when you've done something on accident such as bumping into someone, taking the place of "sorry," "pardon me," or "excuse me."

Who invented Chex Mix? ›

With New Year's Eve celebrations around the corner, I'm turning to the party food of my childhood: Chex Mix. The recipe was created by the Ralston-Purina Company in the early 1950s to move boxes of its signature cereals Wheat Chex and Rice Chex.

What is another name for Chex Mix? ›

First off this recipe can be found under many names besides Party Mix such as Chex Mix, Nuts and Bolts, TV Mix, or Snack Mix.

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's 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.

What is Dog Chow made out of? ›

The ingredients in Purina dog Chow vary depending on the recipe. However, every Dog Chow recipe is made with nutritious ingredients including high-quality protein, whole grains, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Visit the Dog Chow website to learn more about the ingredients for specific recipes.

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