Valentine's Day Puppy Chow

Valentine’s Day just got a whole lot more fun with my Valentine’s Day Puppy Chow — a sweet, crunchy snack mix that’s gluten free and packed with chocolate and festive color. Sometimes called “Muddy Buddies,” this version is tailored for Valentine’s celebrations with pink and red M&M's that make it perfect for snack boards, parties, classroom treats, or cozy movie nights at home.

The magic of puppy chow is its simple but irresistible texture: crispy cereal coated in rich chocolate, smothered in powdered sugar, and finished with fun sprinkles or candy. Kids (and adults) will absolutely love it. Best of all, because it’s gluten free, anyone avoiding gluten can enjoy it too — just double-check your cereal and candy labels.

This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and doesn’t require baking, so it’s perfect for last-minute treats or edible gifts. Make a big batch and spread it into Valentine’s bags, bowls, or decorative tins to share with friends and family.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

6 cups Rice Chex

½ cup Peanut Butter

2 tbsp Butter

1 cup Pink Candy Melts

1 cup Red Candy Melts

1 cup Powdered Sugar

1 cup Pink & Red M&Ms (optional)

Instructions:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper (this makes cleanup easy). Measure all your ingredients before you start — this recipe moves quickly once the chocolate melts.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted. Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Place the cereal in a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir until every piece is evenly coated in chocolate.

4. Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into a large zip-top bag or a second bowl with a lid. Add the powdered sugar, seal it, and shake until the cereal is well coated and lightly dusted.

5. Spread the powdered sugar–coated cereal out onto your lined baking sheet. Scatter Valentine’s sprinkles and gluten-free pink/red candies over the top while the chocolate is still slightly tacky so they stick.

6. Let the mixture cool completely so the powdered coating sets. Once cooled, break up any large clusters and transfer to bowls or storage containers.

Tips for the Best Puppy Chow

• Don’t overheat the chocolate: Microwave in short bursts and stir often so the chocolate doesn’t burn.

• Use sturdy cereal: Gluten-free crispy rice cereal like GF Chex holds up best. Regular cereal can get soggy under the chocolate.

• Add mix-ins at the end: Sprinkles and candies stick best when added after the powdered sugar coating — they add visual fun and texture.

• Make it customizable: Swap peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter to accommodate allergies — it still tastes amazing.

• Storage tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days.

Ways to Serve & Gift

Valentine’s Day puppy chow can be served in so many fun ways:

• In mini paper bags tied with ribbon for parties

• In candy dishes at movie night

• Scooped onto a dessert board with chocolate-covered strawberries

• Layered in mason jars for edible gifts

• With pink and red themed paper liners and heart toothpicks