Cookie Butter Puppy Chow (without Peanut Butter)
Every handful of cookie butter puppy chow (without peanut butter) is pure delight. This recipe is a twist on your typical puppy chow. It is made with cookie butter and is the perfect dessert to enjoy at home, potlucks, school parties, or a Christmas party.
Quick Look: Cookie Butter Puppy Chow
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes
🥣 Ingredients: Rice Chex cereal, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cookie butter, powdered sugar
🍲 Equipment Needed: Large mixing bowl, Microwave-safe bowl, Silicone spatula
💡 Top Tip: Make sure your bowl is BIG! You want to be able to toss the cereal without making a huge mess.
The easy swap from peanut butter to cookie butter is simple and so delicious! If you have a peanut allergy or just don’t enjoy the taste, you’ll love this peanut-free version. After testing several different variations, the use of cookie butter truly set this one apart – it adds the perfect hint of spice and sweetness that makes every bite delightful.
Cookie butter gives this classic treat a cozy twist with flavors that remind me of gingerbread and caramel. It’s become a new family favorite and one I’ll keep making year after year.
I will never forget when I made a batch of this before my son’s soccer game. He ran over to me during the game and asked me while I was sitting on the sideline, “Mom, do you have any of that puppy chow??” Yes, it’s THAT good!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Rice Chex Cereal: There are several other types of this cereal and any would work. This includes corn chex cereal, chocolate chex or cinnamon chex.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: I prefer semi-sweet as the cookie butter is very rich and sweet.
- Cookie Butter: The flavor reminds me of gingerbread cookies with hints of caramel. Swap for Nutella which is made with hazelnuts.
- Powdered Sugar: To coat the rice chex at the end.
I attempted this recipe swapping the semi-sweet chocolate chips with almond bark and I DO NOT recommend. The consistency was not creamy enough and all the chex mix cereal clumped together.
What is puppy chow?
Puppy chow uses a base of cereal coated with melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. This is a common dessert served in the Midwest. I remember in college making this dessert with friends and placing it in a large Ziplock bag and shaking it up! It is fun to make and eat. It also has another common name called “muddy buddies”.
How to make cookie butter puppy chow
Step 1: In a medium sized bowl combine chocolate chips and cookie butter. Melt the chocolate and cookie butter in the microwave.
Step 2: Pour half the melted chocolate mixture onto the rice chex cereal. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir. Working to not crush the cereal. Pour in the other half of the chocolate mixture and finish stirring to coat all the chex mix cereal.
Step 3: Into the same bowl, add half the powdered sugar, mix with the silicone spatula. Add the other half of the powdered sugar and finish mixing it all together.
Why you will love this recipe
Note from Lexi
This recipe is completely peanut free, making it a great option for anyone needing an allergen-friendly treat. It’s also no bake, which means no oven time – just melt, mix, and enjoy! I love how quick this recipe comes together. You can easily prepare it ahead of time for work, school, or parties. It always disappears fast. And of course, it’s delicious! This is a true sweet treat—rich, crunchy, and a little goes a long way. It’s one of those snacks everyone reaches for again and again.
I hope you love this peanut-free version as much as my family does—it’s become one of our favorite go-to treats to share! ❤️
– Lexi with Our Slice of Home
To read more about my food blog and approach to recipes, visit here!
FAQ
Cookie butter has a delicious taste and texture. It works so well with the chocolate chips to melt and then coat the rice chex cereal. I tried several other nut butters and almond bark. None of them produced the right consistency or flavor.
Yes, heat on low in a small saucepan. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Muddy buddies is the name of the recipe given by General Mills. They make a prepackaged snack of chex mix cereal covered in chocolate and peanut butter. Another common name you will hear this recipe called is puppy chow.
The perfect Christmas treat
We love to serve cookie butter puppy chow at Christmas gatherings. It is a crowd favorite and an allergen-friendly treat. I know this treat is especially popular in the Midwest around Christmas time. Make a large batch and watch it go quickly. I have found that both kids and adults adore this snack! With the busyness of a Christmas party, this easy treat can be made ahead of time and stored on the countertop for up to a week. You can also freeze it and thaw it out right before a Christmas party.
More no bake treats
You’ll love these other no bake desserts!
Storage and freezing
To store at room temperature: Place in an airtight container for up to a week. You can place in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. TIP: Some people like to eat this snack frozen straight from the freezer.
To thaw from freezer: Thaw in fridge overnight or out on the counter for a few hours. Freezing this mix is a nice option around Christmas. You can prepare a large batch and use it at multiple potlucks or Christmas parties.
Cookie Butter Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup cookie butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the rice chex cereal into a large bowl.
- In a medium sized bowl, add in the chocolate chips and cookie butter.
- Melt the chocolate chips and cookie butter in the microwave. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave for additional 15 second increments until melted.*
- Pour half the melted chocolate mixture onto the rice chex cereal.
- Use a silicone spatula to gently stir without crushing the cereal.
- Pour in the other half of the chocolate mixture and mix to coat all the rice chex cereal.
- Add half the powdered sugar. Mix using a silicone spatula. Add the other half of the powdered sugar. Mix again making sure all the chex mix cereal is well coated.
- Enjoy!
Great alternative to accommodate those with peanut allergies!
Absolutely – everyone should get to enjoy puppy chow 🙂 I don’t use peanut butter on my blog, so I hope you find some helpful recipes!
That cookie butter is delicious in this!
This goes quick every time I make it. So delicious!