If you’re on the hunt for a delightfully easy, no-bake holiday treat that everyone of every age will absolutely devour, look no further than Christmas Puppy Chow. This beautifully festive snack combines crispy cereal, swoon-worthy chocolate and peanut butter, a blizzard of powdered sugar, and bursts of color from holiday candies. One batch fills the house with the sweet aroma of Christmas while delivering the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, chocolatey goodness. Christmas Puppy Chow is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a party, prepping edible gifts, or just want a bowl of holiday cheer on the coffee table while you’re binging your favorite movies.

Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of ingredients to create this irresistible masterpiece, but don’t underestimate their magic. Each one plays a starring role in taste, texture, or, yes, that all-important holiday color pop!

Rice Chex cereal: The foundation for perfect crunch and lightness, and it beautifully soaks up that dreamy coating.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Adds a rich, silky chocolate layer that mingles deliciously with peanut butter.
Creamy peanut butter: Balances sweetness with savory notes and helps bind all the yummy goodness together.
Unsalted butter: Gives a hint of richness and ensures the coating is smooth and pourable.
Vanilla extract: A splash for extra depth and that cozy, “home for the holidays” flavor.
Powdered sugar: Creates the powdery, snowy finish everyone loves in Christmas Puppy Chow.
Red and green M&M’s: Bring bursts of color and a little extra chocolate crunch to the mix.
Holiday sprinkles (optional): For that over-the-top festive flair—because you can never have too much sparkle at Christmas!

How to Make Christmas Puppy Chow

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each burst, until everything is melted and velvety-smooth. This step is pure kitchen alchemy—the glossy mixture you create now will coat every piece of cereal in sweet, peanut buttery bliss! Don’t forget to stir in the vanilla extract at the end for a gentle lift of flavor.

Step 2: Gently Coat the Cereal

Pour your 9 cups of Rice Chex cereal right into the bowl with the melted mixture. Using a spatula, ever-so-gently fold the cereal until every last piece is evenly coated. Take your time—this is where the magic happens! Try not to crush the cereal, as those crisp little pillows are the backbone of great Christmas Puppy Chow.

Step 3: Shake with Powdered Sugar

Transfer the delightfully sticky cereal into a large zip-top bag (or a big container with a tight seal). Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake like you’re making it snow! The sugar sticks to every nook and cranny, creating that iconic frosty look and sweet finish. This step is especially fun for kids to help with!

Step 4: Cool and Add Festive Mix-Ins

Spread your snowy cereal onto a baking sheet in an even layer. Let it cool completely—this helps keep every piece distinct and avoids any clumping. Once cool, toss in the red and green M&M’s and, if you like, sprinkle liberally with your favorite holiday sprinkles. The result: a bowl that looks as festive as it tastes!

Step 5: Store & Enjoy

Once fully cooled and assembled, transfer your Christmas Puppy Chow to an airtight container. It’s now ready to serve, pack into jars for edible gifts, or stash for those impromptu movie marathons. This mix stays fresh and crunchy for days (if it lasts that long!).

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow

Garnishes

Christmas Puppy Chow is already beautifully festive, but a handful of extra holiday sprinkles or some crushed peppermint candies on top before serving can make it even more eye-catching and magical. Presentation matters, so don’t be shy about gilding the lily!

Side Dishes

While Christmas Puppy Chow is fabulous all on its own, pairing it with mugs of hot cocoa, spicy chai lattes, or a platter of sliced fruit makes for a snack spread that’ll warm up any holiday gathering. It’s also amazing alongside other treats like fudge, gingerbread men, or popcorn at a dessert buffet.

Creative Ways to Present

Pour your Christmas Puppy Chow into glass jars tied with ribbons for the cutest edible gift, or pile it high in a big festive bowl for family movie nights. You can also serve it in individual holiday parchment cups for parties or layer it with marshmallows, pretzels, or even peppermint pieces for your own snack mix creation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The powdered sugar coating keeps the cereal dry and crisp, so every handful is perfectly crunchy and delicious. Just keep it away from heat and humidity for best results.

Freezing

Christmas Puppy Chow can be frozen if you want to make it well ahead or save holiday leftovers! Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container, squeeze out extra air, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving—your guests will never guess it wasn’t made fresh that day.

Reheating

This is a no-bake, ready-to-eat treat, so reheating isn’t necessary. However, if your puppy chow feels a bit chilly after freezing, just leave it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes to let it come back to its addictive, crunchy state.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of cereal for Christmas Puppy Chow?

Absolutely! While Rice Chex gives the ideal texture, you can substitute corn or wheat Chex, or even try Crispix for a slightly different crunch. Just keep the volume about the same for the best chocolate-to-cereal ratio.

Is this recipe gluten free?

Yes, Christmas Puppy Chow can be gluten free if you use certified gluten-free Rice Chex. Always check your labels, especially with mix-ins, but the base recipe is perfect for most gluten-free diets.

Can I make Christmas Puppy Chow ahead of time?

Definitely. In fact, making it a day or two ahead lets the flavors mingle even more. Store it in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh and crunchy for several days, making it perfect for holiday prep and gifting.

What are some fun variations?

Try swapping peanut butter for almond butter or using white chocolate chips for a snowy look. Toss in mini pretzels, marshmallows, or even dried cranberries for new textures and flavors. The recipe is endlessly adaptable to suit your tastes!

How do I keep the Christmas Puppy Chow from getting soggy?

Make sure the cereal is well coated and cooled completely before storing. Always keep it in an airtight container, away from moisture and heat, to maintain its irresistible crunch.

Final Thoughts

There’s something almost magical about a big bowl of Christmas Puppy Chow on the holiday table—it’s cheerful, nostalgic, and vanishes almost as soon as you set it out. Give it a try this season, and let the sweet, crunchy, chocolate-kissed joy steal the spotlight at your next gathering!

Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the festive spirit with this addictive Christmas Puppy Chow, a delightful mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy Chex cereal, all coated in a sweet powdered sugar dusting. Perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights by the fire.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
Coat with Cereal: Gently fold in the Chex cereal, tossing until evenly coated.
Add Powdered Sugar: Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag or container with a tight lid. Add powdered sugar, seal, and shake until the cereal is well coated. Spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
Final Touches: Once cooled, stir in M&M’s and sprinkles. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.