If you love sweet, salty, and crunchy treats that come together in a snap, Butterfinger Puppy Chow is about to be your new obsession! This beloved spin on classic muddy buddies takes everything you adore—chocolate, peanut butter, and crispy cereal—and makes it even better with a swirl of crushed Butterfinger bars throughout. Each bite bursts with that signature candy crunch, making this recipe the star of any party, movie night, or holiday get-together. Best of all? It’s ridiculously easy and no-bake, so you can have mouthwatering Butterfinger Puppy Chow ready for snacking in minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients and you’re halfway to a big bowl of Butterfinger magic! Each one plays a key role in achieving the taste, crunch, and irresistible look that sets this treat apart.
- Rice Chex Cereal: The perfect crisp base to soak up all that chocolatey, peanut buttery coating without getting soggy.
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds a rich, melty layer of chocolate that balances the sweetness and gives everything a silky finish.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Brings warmth, depth, and those classic peanut butter flavors everyone loves in puppy chow.
- Salted Butter: Enhances the sweetness of the chocolate and peanut butter, and gives a perfectly smooth texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla amps up the candy-bar aroma and adds incredible depth of flavor.
- Butterfinger Candy Bars (Fun Size): Crushed and sprinkled, they’re the star ingredient here, delivering that famous Butterfinger crunch and flavor in every bite!
- Powdered Sugar: Lightly dusts the coated cereal for sweetness, a snowy appearance, and to keep everything from sticking together.
How to Make Butterfinger Puppy Chow
Step 1: Prep the Cereal
First things first! Pour the Rice Chex cereal into an extra-large mixing bowl—bigger is better when it comes to stirring. This gives you plenty of room to coat every piece without crushing those delicate squares. Set it aside; you’ll be showering it in chocolatey goodness soon!
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter
Grab a microwave-safe bowl and add the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and salted butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then give it a good stir until everything is melted, smooth, and luscious. If needed, zap it for another 15-20 seconds to get rid of any remaining lumps. Savor that heavenly aroma!
Step 3: Stir in the Vanilla
The moment your chocolate mixture is completely smooth, add in the vanilla extract. This little touch makes the flavors sing! Stir well, inhaling that extra wave of sweetness and warmth the vanilla brings.
Step 4: Coat the Cereal
This is where the fun begins. Drizzle that warm chocolatey mixture over your cereal, then gently fold everything together with a spatula. Take your time and try not to crush the cereal—you’re aiming to coat every square in that rich mixture.
Step 5: Add the Butterfinger Goodness
Sprinkle in the 15 crushed Butterfinger candy bars and toss again! They’ll meld with the chocolate and peanut butter, working their magic so every handful of Butterfinger Puppy Chow is loaded with candy pieces.
Step 6: Powdered Sugar Magic
Powdered sugar is what turns muddy buddies into true puppy chow! For easy cleanup, pour your coated cereal into an extra-large zip-top bag, add the powdered sugar, and shake until everything is beautifully coated. No bag? No problem! Just dust the sugar over the bowl and stir gently to coat.
Step 7: Let it Dry and Garnish
Spread the mixture out on a baking sheet so it cools and dries without clumping. Just before serving, sprinkle those reserved chopped Butterfinger bars on top for a super enticing look and extra crunch. All that’s left is to dig in!
How to Serve Butterfinger Puppy Chow
Garnishes
Add a finishing touch with plenty of extra Butterfinger pieces sprinkled over the top. You can dust on a bit more powdered sugar for an extra-snowy look, or toss in festive sprinkles if serving for a holiday or celebration.
Side Dishes
While Butterfinger Puppy Chow is a star on its own, it also makes a fantastic addition to party trays. Pair it with bowls of salty snacks like pretzels or nuts for irresistible sweet-and-salty contrast, or serve alongside fruit for a fun twist.
Creative Ways to Present
Package your Butterfinger Puppy Chow in cute cellophane bags or mason jars for edible gifts! You can layer it with other snack mixes, or pile it into vibrant bowls for movie night. It’s show-stopping for bake sales or as a whimsical party favor, too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Butterfinger Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The cereal stays crisp and the flavors just keep improving, so it’s great for grab-and-go snacking any time.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead of time, Butterfinger Puppy Chow freezes beautifully! Place it in a zip-top freezer bag, squeeze out excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temp for about 20 minutes before serving—no one will ever know it was frozen.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat this treat, but if it comes straight from the freezer, let it warm up at room temperature to restore the perfect crunchy texture. Avoid the microwave to keep the powdered sugar coating just right.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cereal?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex has the perfect crunch, you can try corn or wheat Chex, or mix them all together for added texture and flavor fun. Just aim for the same total amount.
What are some fun mix-in ideas for Butterfinger Puppy Chow?
Feel free to get creative! Add mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanuts, or even pretzel bits for extra crunch and bursts of flavor. The possibilities are endless and totally customizable.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free Rice Chex cereal and check your candy bar labels. Most major brands offer gluten-free varieties so everyone can enjoy Butterfinger Puppy Chow worry-free.
How do I keep the powdered sugar from getting clumpy?
Sifting the powdered sugar before you use it helps a lot. Also, making sure your coated cereal isn’t too hot will keep the sugar coating light and even instead of sticky or pasty.
Is Butterfinger Puppy Chow good for gifting?
It’s fantastic for gifting! Fill cute jars, bags, or tins, add a ribbon, and watch faces light up. It stays fresh for days and makes a thoughtful, homemade treat for teachers, friends, or neighbors.
Final Thoughts
This Butterfinger Puppy Chow is the kind of treat you’ll want to make again and again—it’s quick, fun, and guaranteed to earn rave reviews from everyone who tries it. So go ahead, mix up a batch, share with your loved ones, and enjoy every crunchy, chocolatey, peanut buttery bite!
PrintButterfinger Puppy Chow Recipe
This Butterfinger Puppy Chow recipe is a delightful no-bake treat that combines the perfect mix of crunchy Rice Chex cereal, creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and the iconic Butterfinger candy bar. It’s a simple and addictive snack that’s great for gatherings or a sweet indulgence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cereal Mix:
- 7 cups Rice Chex Cereal, or store brand version
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mixture:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 18 fun size Butterfinger candy bars (15 crushed, 3 chopped for garnish)
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Add the Cereal: Place the cereal in an extra-large bowl.
- Prepare Chocolate Peanut Butter Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Mix in vanilla.
- Coat Cereal: Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir gently to coat. Add the crushed Butterfinger candy bars.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the coated cereal and stir, or place the mixture in a large ziplock bag and shake until coated.
- Final Touch: Spread the coated cereal on a baking sheet to dry. Before serving, sprinkle the chopped Butterfinger candy bars over the top.
Notes
- You can use different types of chocolate chips or candy melts as alternatives.
- Experiment with a variety of Chex cereal for diverse textures.
- Get creative with additional mix-ins like mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s pieces, or Butterfinger balls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 358 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 9mg
