This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure form more information.
This harvest puppy chow recipe is made Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, pumpkin spice and colorful fall candies. An easy snack mix for fall and Halloween!
My kids go crazy for this easy fall snack mix. Fall puppy chow — aka muddy buddies — is an amazing blend of salty and sweet with a hint of warm spice. Learn how to make this seasonal twist on classic muddy buddies that’s perfect for fall gatherings!
Try my cookie butter puppy chow or this s’mores muddy buddies next!
Why you’ll love pumpkin spice puppy chow
- Easy to make
- Has all the fall flavors
- Perfect for snacking, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving or any fall gathering
Ingredients for Harvest Puppy Chow
Here are the basics. Full amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- Rice Chex cereal
- Butter
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate chips
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon
- Powdered sugar
- Candy — M&M’s, marshmallow pumpkins, candy corn
How to Make Fall Puppy Chow
First, melt the peanut butter, butter and chocolate chip morsels in your microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each interval.
Next, add pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and vanilla and Rice Chex cereal. Gently stir the cereal until it’s well coated with chocolate.
Take a large zip top bag — a gallon freezer bag, and add part of the powdered sugar to the bottom of the bag. Spoon the Rice Chex cereal into the bag. Then, add the candy and rest of the powdered sugar on top. This makes it easier to coat it all with powdered sugar.
Next, close the bag up so the powdered sugar doesn’t fly everywhere, and shake it until the cereal is coated with powdered sugar. Pour the cereal into a large serving bowl, and you’re ready to munch!
Tips for Perfect Puppy Chow
Always melt the chocolate in intervals. Don’t try to melt it all at once, or the chocolate may seize.
Adding powdered sugar to the bag before and after the cereal mixture makes it easier to coat.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Puppy chow does not need to be refrigerated unless you like it cold. You can freeze this sweet treat for up to 3 months.
Variations
To make fall muddy buddies without peanut butter, you can subsitute Biscoff cookie butter. Or, omit the peanut butter and use 5 tablespoons butter and 2 cups chocolate chips.
You can pretty much use your favorite fall candies here or even throw in some pretzels for extra crunch.
The only problem with this easy snack mix is it’s hard to stop eating once you start. And believe me, it goes super fast! Just be sure to save some for yourself!
More Easy Fall Treats
Harvest Puppy Chow
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar divided
- ½ cup candy corn
- ½ cup m&ms
- ½ cup marshmallow pumpkins
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter together in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl for 30 seconds. Stir, then melt in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted
- Stir in vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and Rice Chex until cereal is completely coated
- Add half of the powdered sugar to a large zip top bag, then add the cereal mixture and candy the cereal and powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag and shake until the cereal is evenly covered in powdered sugar
- Add the remaining powdered sugar, close the bag, and shake well
- Place the puppy chow in a large bowl to cool, then enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
For more easy recipes, sign up for the free weekly newsletter.
One of my favorite snacks! Love the candy corn and pumpkins!
The kids made tis over the weekend and just loved it. Easy enough for them to make as well. We will be making this several more times before Halloween.
So happy to hear this, James! Thank you!