If you love Classic Puppy Chow (also known as Muddy Buddies), these Puppy Chow Bars are the perfect upgrade! Made with chocolate, peanut butter, chewy marshmallows, and crispy Chex cereal, they deliver all the nostalgic flavor in an easy, sliceable bar!

Make These Once – Everyone Will Ask for the Recipe!

When we found out who made these, the most frequent response our circle of friends gives in response was, “Of course Lisa made them!” Lisa really needs her own section on this blog. I guarantee you’ll flock to the stuff she makes! She found the recipe over at Butternut Bakery .

Butternut Bakery

Why this Recipe Works

Kid-Approved & Adult-Loved – These bars hit that nostalgic sweet spot – fun enough for kids, irresistible for grown-ups too!

All the Flavor of Classic Puppy Chow – You get that chocolate, peanut butter goodness you love, but in easy-to-slice bar form instead of sticky handfuls.

Easy to Serve – Bars are easy to cut and serve.

Make Ahead – These bars hold their shape well and can be made in advance, saving time when entertaining.

Highly Addictive – Everyone wants more!

No‑bake puppy chow bars sliced into squares on parchment paper

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup Peanut Butter – Adds rich, nutty flavor and helps bind the bars together.

1 cup Chocolate Chips – Melts smoothly to create a creamy, chocolatey base.

1/2 cup Butter – Enhances flavor and creates a soft, chewy texture.

1 (10 oz) bag Marshmallows – Provides sweetness and structure while keeping the bars gooey.

1 tsp Vanilla – Adds depth and rounds out the sweetness.

4 cups Rice Chex Cereal – Brings the classic crunch associated with Puppy Chow.

1 cup Powdered Sugar – Lightly coats the bars for that signature sweet finish.

Close‑up of chewy puppy chow bars coated in powdered sugar

How to Make Puppy Chow Bars

Line 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper.

Melt 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in 1 (10 oz) bag marshmallows until melted.

Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla.

Then mix in 4 cups Rice Chex and gently stir until well coated.

Press evenly into prepared pan. Let bars cool completely.

Cut the bars into squares.

Place 1 cup powdered sugar in a gallon Ziploc bag.

Put 1 bar into the bag, close, then shake until the bar is coated in powdered sugar.

Repeat with remaining bars.

Use Fresh Marshmallows – They melt more evenly and help the bars hold together without becoming tough or lumpy.

Stir the Cereal Gently – This helps it stay crunchy and doesn’t bread while getting fully coated.

Line Your Pan With Parchment Paper – I like doing this because it helps with easy removal and clean cuts once the bars are set.

Chill Before Cutting – This allows the chocolate peanut butter base to fully set and makes slicing easier.

Add Powdered Sugar After Setting – This gives it the classic Puppy Chow finish without it melting into the bars.