Puppy Chow Without Peanut Butter (Cookie Butter!)

This sweet snack mix puts a subtle, but delicious twist on a crowd favorite. While the classic recipe for puppy chow calls for peanut butter, this version uses cookie butter, adding notes of cinnamon, caramel, and gingerbread.

Looking for another delicious sweet snack made with cereal mix? Try caramel Crispix mix, protein puppy chow, Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats, or healthy scotcharoos next time.

About This Recipe

Like many things in the Midwest (bags vs. cornhole or pop vs. soda), there’s some disagreement over what this tasty snack should be called: puppy chow vs. muddy buddies (or reindeer chow or muddy munch). Whatever you call it, we can all agree that this stuff is absolutely delicious — and slightly addicting.

Made with crunchy rice cereal covered in melted chocolate, butter, and cookie butter, then tossed and coated in powdered sugar, and cookie butter, you won’t be able to stop reaching for this puppy chow.

It makes the perfect snack to put out in a big bowl at holiday parties, send to school since it’s free of nut allergies, or pack in small batches as a special road trip treat.

Like all puppy chow recipes, this easy snack requires no baking at all! And the best part? You only need 6 ingredients.

Delicious Cookie Butter

There are so many versions of the traditional puppy chow recipe, that I wanted to make something a little different. 

The idea for this puppy chow came to me after a major craving for cookie butter. I was looking to switch up my typical recipe and thought swapping the creamy peanut butter for cookie butter had to be delicious. It’s a subtle change, but a fabulous one.

Cookie butter is just as thick and creamy as peanut butter, but it has added notes of caramel and cinnamon. Cookie butter is a dessert spread made from the crumbs of Biscoff cookies (or speculoos). It originated in Belgium and is a key ingredient in many other European pastries. You can find a pre-made jar at your local grocery store.

How to Make Puppy Chow Without Peanut Butter

Here are the basic steps, with images, for this puppy chow without peanut butter recipe. Skip down to the recipe card below for the full recipe.

Step 1. Melt the Chocolate

Add chocolate chips, cookie butter, and butter to a medium or large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high heat in 30-second increments, stopping to stir, until melted and smooth. 

Success Tip: Be careful to not overheat the chocolate in the microwave. Microwave in 30 second-increments. It will melt quickly and you’ll run the risk of burning it. Burnt chocolate tastes very bitter and you don’t want to have to waste it. 

Step 2. Mix the Chocolate with the Cereal

Add the Chex cereal to a large bowl and pour the melted chocolate mixture on top. Use a rubber spatula to stir and carefully fold the chocolate into the cereal until it’s coated. Allow the mixture to cool slightly (5-10 minutes).

Step 3. Add Powdered Sugar

Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal to a ziplock bag (you might need two). Add one cup of the powdered sugar, zip the bag closed, and gently shake and spin to coat all of the chocolate and cereal in powdered sugar.

Step 4. Shake Well

Add another 2-3 cups and repeat until it’s coated well. Add up to one more cup as desired. Shake carefully.

Recipe Variations

• Swap out the cookie butter. We also love granola butter too, which would be another muddy buddy alternative to nut butter if you have a tree or peanut allergy. Just can’t do peanuts? You could swap the cookie butter for cashew butter (mild flavor) or almond butter.
• Corn chex. If you prefer the taste or texture of corn chex to rice chex, feel free to use it as a substitute!
• Use dark chocolate. I’ve also tested this recipe with dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Dark chocolate was delicious and balanced. You can use milk chocolate, but it will be a little on the sweet side because of the cookie butter and powdered sugar.

Freezing and Storing Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in a freezer bag in the freezer for 3-4 months (I love frozen puppy chow!).

If you make this peanut butter free puppy chow recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

More No Bake Dessert Recipes

• Buckeye bites
• Edible cookie dough
• No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies
• Monster cookie bites
• Christmas popcorn snack mix
• Caramel crispix mix
• Chocolate covered raspberries