This Puppy Chow Recipe is made without peanut butter and is the BEST recipe I have tried! Made without powdered sugar, friends and family will love munching on this irresistible snack!

Puppy Chow Without Peanut Butter

Before making this recipe, I had only tried Puppy Chow (also known as Muddy Buddies) once before I started creating my own recipe. That one time I fell in love…but I still thought it could be BETTER.

I was not crazy about how sweet your typical puppy chow recipe is. The powdered sugar that is normally used makes it too sweet, in my opinion, so I substituted it! With something 100x BETTER!!

I also removed the peanut butter from the original recipe.

I was hesitant to do this because I LOVE peanut butter but I wanted to create a different muddy buddy recipe that was also peanut free (since a lot of people have nut allergies).

What is puppy chow?

Puppy chow is a chocolate coated cereal dessert treat!

I do not know where the name ‘Puppy Chow’ came from but the name obviously came from the way this treat LOOKS.

I mean, it does kinnddaaa look like dog food…

But the phrase, “You eat with your eyes first” is totally overrated right?! So dig in! You won’t regret it! 😉

Read more about the history of puppy chow!

How Do You Make The BEST Muddy Buddies?

Your average muddy buddy recipes consists of the same ingredients however there are definitely a few tips you should keep in mind when making your muddy buddies.

First, substitute the typically used powdered sugar for instant pudding!! The flavor it gives is something of a Christmas miracle.

In case you haven’t noticed, I have been on a pudding kick lately. I just love the stuff! It is an easy flavor boost that I keep in the pantry at all times.

If you love pudding as much as me:

Try my Mocha Pudding Cookies or my Individual Banana Pudding Monkey Bread and thank me later!

To Make The BEST Muddy Buddies:

So here’s a little knowledge about your average muddy buddy:

Muddy Buddies, also known as:

• Monkey Munch
• Puppy Chow
• Reindeer Chow
• Muddy Munch

It is an American snack that has been around for some time time. The origin in unknown…but honestly, who cares?!

Whoever created the original recipe idea is genius!

Such a fun, easy AND irresistible snack made using either Chex or Crispix cereal.

And BEST OF ALL? It only takes 5 minutes to whip up!!!

The ‘classic’ Muddy Buddy recipe uses melted chocolate with peanut butter, butter, and vanilla extract. This drool-worth mixture is then poured all over the cereal and finally tossed in powdered sugar until it forms a nice soft shell.

I mean, how can you go wrong?

BUT because there are thousands of the same recipe out there, I wanted to try a fun twist on the famous puppy chow and substitute the powdered sugar with vanilla instant pudding mix and use NO peanut butter!

You won’t be able to stop snacking on these! I promise.

How To Make Puppy Chow WITHOUT Peanut Butter

This recipe is made WITHOUT peanut butter which honestly, I do not miss. (and I’m a huge peanut butter fan)

This version will allow you to bring them to any party or gathering or allow you to make them for your child’s classroom without worrying about who may be allergic! A win for all!

Commonly Asked Muddy Buddy Questions:  

Can I use milk chocolate or white chocolate?

Yes! But it will be sweeter so keep that in mind!

Can I double the recipe?

Yes or triple for a large party!

Why is this recipe the ‘BEST’?

1. I use dark chocolate. It does not allow it to be too sweet.
2. No Peanut butter! SO many people have peanut allergies!
3. I use INSTANT PUDDING instead of powdered sugar! The flavor is ridiculous and it is not too sugary!

Can I use Chex OR Crispix?

I tried using both and they come out identical so use whichever you have on hand!

Can I use a different flavor of pudding?

Yes! Cheesecake, banana or chocolate would be AH-mazing!!

My chocolate is not melting properly. What happened?

Chocolate is very temperamental. You either warmed the chocolate TOO much or water got into your chocolate. Make sure you use a COMPLETELY DRY bowl and spoon when mixing.

Also, be patient! Stir the chocolate for at least 20 seconds after heating it  in the microwave. The residual heat from the bowl is still there so give it time to melt slowly. Don’t rush it.

Here is a video to help you FIX your chocolate if it ended thickening up on you.

Pin the image below to save it for later!

Other chocolate party desserts you may like:

Cannoli Gingerbread Cream Filled Phyllo Bites

4 Ingredient Gooey Chocolate Cake Cookies

Moist Holiday Cake Balls (My most requested dessert)

Easy Raw Cookie Dough Bites

Easy Candied Holiday Pecans

Vanilla Pudding Puppy Chow Recipe (without peanut butter)

Vanilla Pudding Puppy Chow Recipe (without peanut butter)

This Vanilla Pudding Puppy Chow Recipe (without peanut butter) is the BEST puppy chow recipe I have tried! Made with only 3 ingredients not including peanut butter OR powdered sugar, friends and family will love munching on this irresistible snack!

4.58 from 14 votes

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Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Author: Aleka Shunk

Ingredients

• 10 oz Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate ((dark if you want these less sweet))
• 5 Cups Crispix, Chex or Any Rice Squares Cereal
• 2 4.6 oz Packages Instant Vanilla Pudding

Instructions

• Add cereal of choice into the largest bowl you have and set aside.
• Place chocolate in another bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Remove and stir. The chocolate should just begin to melt.
• Heat for 15 more seconds and stir again. Repeat for 15 second intervals until fully melted mixing in between. (this should not take more than 2 minutes)
• Pour chocolate all over cereal and using your hands, mix it up really carefully until every piece is covered with chocolate.
• Finally, sprinkle pudding mix over top and toss again lightly until your cereal is not sticky anymore and is fully coated in the pudding mix.
• Enjoy right away or store in Tupperware for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Notes

Tip* If your chocolate does not melt properly. You have either made it too hot or got water in your chocolate. Read my post about what to do to fix it!