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Red White and Blue Puppy Chow is an easy snack for the 4th of July. Made with Chex Cereal and candy, this easy recipe is perfect for any patriotic holiday!
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Patriotic Puppy Chow Recipe
Whenever I publish a puppy chow recipe, people get confused. So, this is puppy chow for people — not puppies. Some folks call this tasty treat muddy buddies, but it just depends upon where you live.
My recipe for 4th of July puppy chow is super simple. It’s basically white chocolate-covered Chex cereal with patriotic M & M candies. While you can use red, white and blue candy melts to color the cereal, I like to take the easy way out. We make a lot of 4th of July food, so dessert and appetizers need to stay simple! We also make this Chex mix recipe for Memorial Day.
You might like to try my Christmas Puppy Chow, or this fun Oreo Puppy Chow or my Fall Puppy Chow next!
Ingredients
There are just a few simple ingredients in this patriotic muddy buddies recipe. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Rice Chex cereal
- Peanut butter — creamy peanut butter works best.
- White chocolate chips — or white candy melts or almond bark
- Butter — either unsalted butter or salted butter
- Vanilla extract — for flavor
- Powdered sugar — also called confectioner’s sugar
- M & M’s — or similar red white and blue candies.
- Red white and blue sprinkles — optional, but makes it extra festive
How to Make Red White & Blue Puppy Chow
I always use the microwave to make muddy buddies, but you can use the stove if you prefer that method. First, you melt the peanut butter, butter and white chocolate in a large bowl in short increments. Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl.
Next, gently stir the Chex cereal into the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. I find that a silicone or rubber spatula works best for this. But, you can use a large spoon if that is what you have.
Now, it’s time to add the powdered sugar. I always use a large freezer bag for this part — It’s just easier. Just add part of the cereal mixture and part of the sugar, and shake! Then, add the remaining cereal and rest of the powdered sugar and shake until the cereal is coated with the sugar.
Dump the puppy chow into a large bowl, and mix in the M&M’s and sprinkles. You can serve the muddy buddies in a smaller serving bowl or in individual cups.
Storage
Store Fourth of July puppy chow in an airtight container. It keeps fresh for several days. I usually keep it at room temperature, but if it’s super hot out, you can store it in the fridge so the candies don’t melt.
Recipe Tip
Use a gallon freezer bag to easily coat the powdered sugar with the cereal!
More 4th of July Food
Try my Red White and Blue Bark or easy Patriotic Popcorn or Red White and Blue Pretzels next! You may also like this Red White and Blue Poke Cake or Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad.
Red White and Blue Puppy Chow (muddy buddies)
Ingredients
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- m&ms red, white and blue
- patriotic sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter together in a large mixing bowl for 30 seconds. Stir, then melt in 15 second increments until mixture is soft. Stir until completely melted.
- Stir in vanilla extract
- Add the cereal and gently mix until the cereal is evenly covered in the peanut butter mixture
- Place half of the cereal and half of the powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag and shake until the cereal is evenly covered in powdered sugar. Add remaining chex mix and powdered sugar and shake until completely coated with powdered sugar.
- Place the cereal into a large bowl and let cool completely, then add candy, and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can’t stop eating this! Have made this in the past but found the red white and blue M&M’s so had to try this one!
Thanks, Marilyn. It’s one of our favorite snacks!