Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow Recipe)

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This Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies is a quick, no-bake, and party-perfect treat that blends sweet and salty crunch, minimal ingredients, and kid-friendly fun in every handful. Made with Rice Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, it's the ultimate homemade puppy chow snack mix for Halloween gatherings.

If you love snack-style desserts, you might also enjoy our Halloween Brownies or our Halloween Rice Krispies Treats.

Halloween snack mix in a bowl with spoon next to a fall linen.

Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies at a Glance 🔎

🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
⏱️ Cook Time: None
🧊 Rest Time: 15 minutes
👥 Servings: 12
🔥 Cook Method: No-bake
🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): Party Snack / American
👩‍🍳 Pair With: Hot cocoa, apple cider, or this Caramel Corn Recipe
⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy

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This recipe holds best at room temperature. Pile it into mini cauldrons or cups for grab-and-go Halloween snacking. ~Jami

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Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies at a Glance 🔎
Why We Love This Recipe
Halloween Snack Mix Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
How To Make Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies
Expert Tips for Success
Storage
Recipe FAQs
More Treat Recipes You'll Love ♥️
📖 Recipe
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Why We Love This Recipe

Sweet and Salty Crunch: A perfect balance of creamy chocolate, peanut butter, and pretzels.
Quick and No-Bake: Ready in under 30 minutes with no oven required.
Crowd-Friendly: Makes a large batch that's great for parties or gifting.
Kid-Approved: Fun colors, textures, and candy add-ins make it a hit with everyone.

Halloween Snack Mix Ingredients

This easy Halloween mix uses pantry staples and colorful add-ins for the perfect blend of textures.

A labeled image of everything needed to make Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies Puppy Chow

Rice Chex Cereal: Light, crispy squares that hold chocolate perfectly.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melt into a smooth, rich coating that complements the peanut butter.
Creamy Peanut Butter: We use Jif or Skippy for the best consistency and flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps the chocolate adhere.
Powdered Sugar: The classic Muddy Buddy dusting that creates that soft, snowy look. Don't add the sugar while the mix is still hot. It will clump instead of coating evenly.
Mini Marshmallows: Add soft texture to balance the crunch.
Candy Corn: Sweet seasonal flair and vibrant color.
Halloween M&M's: For chocolatey crunch and a pop of orange and purple.
Mini Pretzels: Adds that perfect salty contrast.
Mini Reese's Cups (halved): The chocolate-peanut butter bonus that ties everything together.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

Peanut Butter: Try almond butter or sunflower seed butter as a substitute.
Flavor: Add caramel popcorn or drizzle white chocolate for extra sweetness.
Kid-Friendly: Replace candy corn with gummy worms for a spooky twist.
Presentation: Serve in cauldrons, mason jars, or Halloween treat bags for parties.

How To Make Halloween Snack Mix with Muddy Buddies

Chocolate peanut butter mixture melted in a microwave safe bowl.

STEP ONE: Melt the Chocolate Mixture

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.

Microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring with a silicon spatula each time until smooth and glossy.

Rice Chex coated with chocolate peanut butter mixture.

STEP TWO: Coat the Cereal

Add Rice Chex to a large bowl and pour the melted mixture over top.

Gently fold until all pieces are coated evenly.

Puppy Chow Mix being coated with powdered sugar in a Ziploc bag.

STEP THREE: Add the Powdered Sugar

Transfer to a zip-top bag, add powdered sugar, and shake gently until every piece is covered.

Spread on parchment to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Halloween Trail Mix in a glass serving bowl.

STEP FOUR: Combine the Mix

Once cooled, stir in mini marshmallows, candy corn, M&M's, pretzels, and halved Reese's Cups. Toss lightly to combine.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Let the coated Chex Mix cool before adding candies.
✔️ DO Use high-quality chocolate for a smoother coating.
❌ DO NOT Store in the refrigerator uncovered.

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Storage

Store this Halloween mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you'd like it to last a little longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 10 days, though the mix will firm up slightly. Freezing isn't recommended since it tends to soften the crunchy texture once thawed.

Recipe FAQs

What is Halloween mix made of?

Halloween mix is made with Rice Chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and fun seasonal add-ins like candy corn, M&M's, pretzels, and mini Reese's. It's a sweet-and-salty treat that combines crunchy, chewy, and creamy textures for the perfect Halloween party snack.

What's the difference between Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow?

There's no real difference between Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow. They're the same chocolate-coated snack mix. "Muddy Buddies" is the Chex brand name, while "Puppy Chow" is the classic homemade version made with cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar.

Can I use different candies in a Halloween trail mix or snack mix?

Absolutely! Swap in any favorites like Reese's Pieces, caramel corn, or chocolate-covered peanuts. Just balance the mix with both sweet and salty elements to keep every handful interesting.