Peanut Butter Snack Mix

And, for another fun sweet treat, try my Edible Cookie Dough. This fun snack was included in the Tailgating Snacks Month 2025 collection.

It all starts with some Muddy Buddies. But what are Muddy Buddies? Muddy Buddies (also called Puppy Chow) is a snack that General Mills developed and published on the sides of the boxes in 2002. Though some people say they’ve eaten it long before the early 2000s. It’s Chex cereal coated in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. And it’s really yummy!

In resealable ziptop plastic bag, mix together powdered sugar and baking cocoa; set aside.

Place 3 cups cereal in medium bowl; set aside.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Microwave 15 to 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.

Pro tip: To avoid burned chocolate or peanut butter, microwave for just for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each burst. Also, don’t allow any liquid in the bowl with the chocolate. If the chocolate or peanut butter chocolate gets wet it can seize and harden.

You can also melt the chocolate peanut butter mixture on low heat on the stove if you prefer.

Pour melted chocolate peanut butter mixture over cereal in bowl; stir until evenly coated.

Pour coated cereal into plastic bag with powdered sugar mixture. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on cooking parchment paper to cool, about 20 minutes.

In large bowl, toss together cooled coated cereal, remaining 3 cups cereal, the peanuts and peanut butter cups. Store in airtight container.

Storage

This recipe makes a big batch! Up to 20 servings at ½ cup each.

To store any leftovers, place in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 2 weeks. You can also store it in individual servings in glass Mason jars.

It can also be stored in the fridge or the freezer in a freezer plastic bag for up to 3 months.

Changes to the recipe

Making it at home is way better than anything you can buy at Walmart or Costco. Not only is it fun, but you can customize the flavors! Here are some starter ideas:

• Add some mini marshmallows or dehydrated marshmallows

• M&Ms (plain, peanut, or peanut butter) or Reese’s Pieces (candy-coated peanut butter pieces). I saw Reese’s filled pretzels at the store those would be perfect for a tailgating snack!

• Peanut butter filled pretzels, mini pretzels, or pretzel crisps

• Popcorn, peanut butter chips, or chocolate covered peanuts

• Drizzle it with melted chocolate and peanut butter to garnish

Can’t find peanut butter Chex?

Peanut Butter Chex are my favorite cereal. But I can’t always find it at the store.

Feel free to swap and use rice Chex, corn Chex, chocolate Chex, or any peanut butter flavored cereal like Cap’n Crunch or Puffins. Or try a chocolate peanut butter cereal like Cheerios or Reese’s.