Muddy buddies (puppy chow) meet the classic snickerdoodle cookie flavors of cinnamon and sugar. An easy Chex sweet treat everyone loves. Great for snacks or dessert, this no-bake sweet treat is great to have on hand, especially as school is starting and life is getting busier for us all.
This muddy buddy recipe does not use peanut butter so it is ideal for those with nut allergies. You can also ensure this is gluten-free by using Chex cereals without wheat, like the rice and corn varieties. White chocolate for these muddy buddies ensures this flavor is different than most muddy buddies. The variation in flavors for this puppy chow recipe is fun and will excite any lover of cinnamon or snickerdoodle cookies.
Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
How to Make No-Bake Muddy Buddies
This is a great dessert for the summer months when you do not want to bake and turn on the oven. This recipe only needs a few ingredients and will be ready in about 10 minutes. There is so much to love about making easy no-bake snickerdoodle muddy buddies.
I cannot think of anything more perfect to make in late summer when it is hot and it is also back to school time and you want to have something fast. If you want another easy no-bake dessert for summer, you must try this to-die-for peanut butter and chocolate dessert - FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER CUP PIE.
Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
Only a few ingredients are needed. Before you know it you are on your way to a sweet, crunchy, and cinnamony dessert - yes "cinnamony" is a word in our house. Enzo could put cinnamon on anything and eat it so it is a commonly used adjective in our home. He loves churros and this puppy chow recipe tastes very similar.
Start by getting the ingredients ready like putting the cereal in a large mixing bowl. Also, mix together the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a separate small bowl. Get out a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag for mixing the coated cereal into the powdered sugar.
- Rice Chex
- Corn Chex
- White Chocolate Chips
- Powdered Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Cinnamon
This recipe for muddy buddies is one of my favorite gluten-free snack recipes. It is sweet, crunchy, & great for those on a gluten-free & nut-free diet. It takes two kinds of Chex cereal and no peanut butter which makes it ideal for parties and groups when serving many people and all sorts of dietary needs.
Ingredients Needed
Melt the White Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips for about 45 seconds. Stir with a rubber spatula to mix the melted sections with the parts that may still be chunky. Heat another 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it is all melted and smooth.
Be careful to NOT overheat white chocolate. It is more temperamental than other chocolates and will "seize" up easily. My microwave required 45 seconds plus 2 additional 15-second heat and stir sessions. It then looked as it does below.
Melt the white chocolate chips
Coat the Cereal and Mix in the Cinnamon & Sugar
Working fast, stir the white chocolate into the cereal. Mix carefully to not break up the cereal pieces too much.
Stir in melted white chocolate
As stirring sprinkle in the cinnamon & granulate sugar mixture. Stir, sprinkle, stir, sprinkle more, etc. Once all is stirred together and the cereal is coated evenly it is ready for the final step.
Sprinkle on sugar and cinnamon
Finally, Toss in Powdered Sugar
Add half the powdered sugar into the Ziploc bag. Then add the cereal mixture and top with the other half of the powdered sugar. Seal the Ziploc and now toss and shake gently to evenly coat everything. I add in a few more sprinkles of cinnamon at this point too - after all, Enzo likes it "cinnamony!"
Shake in Ziploc bag
How to Store Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)
If for some crazy reason these are not eaten and finished immediately, you can keep them fresh for later. I have made these for a party and made them earlier in the day for later but that is the longest we have needed to store them honestly.
Muddy buddies will get chewy and lose their crispness the longer they are stored. My guess is they are best to eat in the first few days. To keep them as fresh as possible, store them in the Ziploc bag or in an air-tight container like a jar or sealable container.
Can You Freeze Muddy Buddies?
Making a large batch to freeze and enjoy later is not the best way to enjoy muddy buddies. Fresh is best of course. But if you must, freezing it is easy. If you want to freeze muddy buddies, I suggest lining a baking sheet with parchment and placing them in a single layer to flash freeze. This will keep them from sticking and having one large muddy buddy brick.
Freeze the layer for 30 minutes and then transfer the individual muddy buddies pieces to an air-tight container. Store in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours or enjoy straight from the freezer - cool & cinnamony!
Store Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
Variations
This easy recipe can become so many other great options too. With a few simple ingredient additions, try one or more of these delicious muddy buddy/puppy chow recipe ideas. Transform this snickerdoodle Chex mix recipe into the best desserts and snacks for any time of year.
- CHRISTMAS MUDDY BUDDIES - add red & green M&Ms to this white cinnamony recipe for a wonderful sweet holiday Chex mix.
- EASTER MUDDY BUDDIES - add your favorite Easter candy like jelly beans or pastel M&Ms for a basket-worthy treat.
- 4TH OF JULY MUDDY BUDDIES- to this white chocolate recipe add red & blue sprinkles or M&Ms.
- VEGAN/DAIRY-FREE MUDDY BUDDIES - use vegan white chocolate chips for this recipe for a great version that is irresistible and also dairy-free.
- CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH MUDDY BUDDIES - add cinnamon toast crunch cereal instead of one of the Chex mix cereals. This will no longer be gluten-free but it will be a crazy good cinnamon explosion.
PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies PIN
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Snickerdoodle Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 4 C Chex cereal
- 1.5 C white chocolate chips
- 3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 TB granulated sugar
- ¾ C powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional, for the final step
Instructions
- Start by getting the ingredients ready like putting the cereal in a large mixing bowl. Also, mix together the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a separate small bowl. Get out a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag for mixing the coated cereal into the powdered sugar.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips for about 45 seconds. Stir with a rubber spatula to mix the melted sections with the parts that may still be chunky. Heat another 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until it is all melted and smooth. Be careful to NOT overheat white chocolate. It is more temperamental than other chocolates and will “seize” up easily.
- Working fast, stir the white chocolate into the cereal. Mix carefully to not break up the cereal pieces too much. As stirring sprinkle in the cinnamon & granulate sugar mixture. Stir, sprinkle, stir, sprinkle more, etc. Once all is stirred together and the cereal is coated evenly it is ready for the final step.
- Add half the powdered sugar into the Ziploc bag. Then add the cereal mixture and top with the other half of the powdered sugar. Seal the Ziploc and now toss and shake gently to evenly coat everything. Add additional cinnamon, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Sabrina DeWalt says
Oh yummy!
Mariah French says
My husband loves muddy buddies and I love snickerdoodles so I can't wait to give this recipe a try! Thanks!
Angela says
Great, I hope you both love these.
Tricia Snow says
These look amazing and easy! I can't wait to try them!
Angela says
Enjoy.
melissa says
Yum!! This looks amazing and definitely wouldn't last in my house!
Angela says
I agree. Muddy buddies do not last in our house either.
Karie says
I might just need to make these for my granddaughter tomorrow. These are soo yummy!
Angela says
What a great grandma you are. I hope she enjoys them.
heather J jandrue says
My boys would love this. It is much more cost-effective than buying the premade bags at the grocery store.
Angela says
Yes, a great budget-friendly Chex muddy buddy recipe.
Elaina Mogren says
YUMMY! I think this is going to be our fun weekend activity this weekend.
Angela says
What a fun and tasty activity.
Lisa S says
These are incredible!!! They would not stand a chance of lasting long in our house!
Angela says
Gobble them quick before others get to it first!
Charlene Hartley says
I love the peanut butter version of this, so my mouth would probably be expecting that. Lol! I have a nephew with peanut allergies, though, so I'll pass this on to them.
Angela says
Great, I am glad to help someone with a peanut butter allergy out. My hopes are those that love this dessert but have loved ones that could not eat the original versions, would find this recipe and share the love.
Amanda says
Looks yum! I haven't had puppy chow in forever, but I like this variation. Will have to try it.
Marielle says
This looks like such a delicious combination! Pinned it for later! Visiting from Friday Favorites Linky Party today. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Cindy Mailhot says
I am so bookmarking this...we love the traditional muddy buddies and we love snickerdoodles-the best of both worlds!