A lightened up version of the classic Muddy Buddies/Puppy Chow recipe we all know and love. Bonus: we’re tossing in colorful M&M’s to make this recipe an easy holiday treat!

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So we all know Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow is a decadent snack. It’s always going to be a decadent snack. It’s never going to be healthier than say an apple…but that’s ok! Because sometimes we crave decadent snacks and that’s what balanced living is all about.

This healthier muddy buddies recipe makes a few intentional swaps to lower the sugar of the traditional muddy buddies recipe. To take it from extreme decadence to…mild decadence. 

You’ll only need ~10 minutes to make this recipe that’s sure to be a favorite with the fam and friends!

What Ingredients are Needed for Healthier Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)?

Chex Cereal: Corn or rice chex cereal. Opt for a gluten-free version if that’s your preference.

Dark Chocolate Chips: To make this dairy free, opt for Enjoy Life chocolate chips. If you’re looking for a very low sugar recipe, opt for Lily’s dark chocolate chips which are refined-sugar free.

Coconut Oil: Traditional muddy buddies recipes call for loads of butter. To keep this recipe dairy free, we’re swapping out for coconut oil. 

Vanilla: Vanilla extract just makes everything taste so much better!

Peanut Butter: I usually opt for a natural peanut butter because I don’t love all the added ingredients in some peanut butters. But you do you, just make sure it’s creamy!

Powdered Sugar: Not the healthiest option but is a staple in this recipe. Feel free to swap for an alternative like a monk fruit sweetener. 

M&Ms: These are completely optional! I think adding in colored M&Ms for whatever holiday you’re celebrating is a fun and easy way to make this recipe festive.

Kitchen Tools Needed for this Recipe

• Large mixing bowl
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Large ziploc bags or tupperware container 

Looking for More Sweet Treats? Try These Recipes:

• Chocolate Fudge Tahini Brownies
• Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
• Browned Butter Chocolate Candy Cookies
• No Bake S’mores Pudding Pie

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How to Make Healthier Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)

This recipe is a cinch to make! 

Step One: Add the chex cereal to a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Step Two: Add the peanut butter, chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir and microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat until fully melted, should only take one minute total. Stir in the vanilla.

Step Three: Pour the peanut butter chocolate mixture over the chex cereal and gently fold the ingredients together until combined. Be gentle so you don’t crush the cereal too much!

Step Four: Transfer the mixture to a lidded tupperware container or a large ziploc bag. Add the powdered sugar or monk fruit sweetener and shake until the cereal is well coated. 

Step Five: Add the M&Ms to the bag/container and give it one or two more shakes so they’re evenly distributed. 

That’s it! Enjoy!