Christmas Puppy Chow with M&Ms (aka Reindeer Chow)

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Christmas Puppy Chow is a beloved holiday snack that has the perfect mix of chocolate and peanut butter that you crave with the satisfying crunch of Chex mix and a sweet powdered sugar coating. The M&M’s add a classic flavor and crunch we all know and love. You won’t be able to stop grabbing handfuls of this delicious snack!

Christmas Puppy Chow aka Muddy Buddies aka Reindeer Chow with red and green M&M candies

If you’re looking for a quick and easy holiday treat to make that will be a crowd-pleaser for all ages, this one is perfect! If you’re cooking with kids, this is an ideal recipe for them to help with.

For more quick and easy Christmas treats try our Christmas Cookie Dip, Christmas Popcorn Balls, or Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies.

Christmas Muddy Buddies aka Puppy Chow

Christmas Puppy Chow is one of those timeless snacks that almost everyone knows about. Interestingly enough though, there are so many other names for it: Muddy Buddies, Reindeer Chow, Monkey Munch, Muddy Munch, Doggy Bag.

No matter what you call it in your house, this easy Christmas candy is a must-have for the holidays.

This is a recipe for humans, not dogs

Whenever I share this recipe on social media people comment that it is dangerous for dogs to consume chocolate. Since there seems to be some confusion I want to clarify: this is a holiday treat for humans. Please do not feed this to your dog!

Bowl of Christmas Reindeer Chow made with Chex cereal and M&Ms, with glass of milk and chocolate chips in background

One thing I love about making Puppy Chow is being able to customize and make it my own. I’ll give you some of my favorite substitutions below if you want to try some new things.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

It’s incredibly simple! I love the extra time baking around the holidays, but sometimes you just want something you can whip together quickly. This is perfect for last-minute gifts, parties, or even for a movie night at home.
No added equipment or extra dishes to cleanup. You don’t have to pull out your mixer, food processor, crockpot, or even turn on the oven for this. All you need is a microwave, a bowl, and a bag. Easy cleanup is the selling point for anything I’m cooking.
There won’t be any left! Whether you are making this for guests at a get together, a night with friends, or for your family, you can guarantee you aren’t going to be wondering how to get rid of the leftovers. These get scooped up by the handful and it’s hard to stop eating!

Ingredients For Your Christmas Muddy Buddies

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Rice Chex cereal, confectioners sugar, peanut butter, vanilla extract, Christmas M&Ms, melted butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips in bowls on countertop

Chex Cereal – This will be the base of your muddy buddies. I prefer using the Rice variety for puppy chow, but you can try other varieties if you want to. Crispix cereal works too!
Peanut Butter – Grab a jar of your favorite creamy peanut butter
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Combines with the peanut butter to form the coating that will cover the Chex.
Melted Butter
Vanilla Extract – Adds a little depth to the flavor but can be omitted if you don’t have any on hand
Confectioners Sugar – Coats and helps set the muddy buddies, add a little extra sweetness.
Christmas M&Ms – Give this reindeer chow it’s festive Christmas color.

Equipment Needed To Make Reindeer Chow Recipe

Microwave
Large microwave-safe bowl
Large zip-top storage or freezer bag

How To Make Christmas Puppy Chow with M&Ms

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the chocolate chips and peanut butter to a large, microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate has melted. Stir in melted butter and vanilla extract.

Melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture in large glass bowl. Chex cereal and m&m candies are next to the bowl

Step 2: Add the Chex cereal to the bowl and toss to coat. Work gently so that you do not break the cereal pieces.

large glass bowl filled with chocolate and peanut butter coated chex cereal

Step 3: Open a large zip-top baggie and spoon the cereal mixture into it. Pour the confectioners sugar in, seal the bag, and gently shake it to coat the cereal in the confectioners sugar. You may have to do this in batches if you have smaller bags.

Gallon-size ziplock bag with muddy buddies inside. Bowl of red and green M&Ms are next to it.

Step 4: Pour the coated cereal into a bowl and add the holiday m&m’s. Serve and enjoy!

Christmas Puppy Chow with M&Ms in a white bowl. Holiday M&Ms, glass of milk, and holiday decor are surrounding the bowl.

Storage

Store your Christmas Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to one week. Personally, I prefer enjoying my puppy chow straight from the fridge.

Variations and Additions

What I love about Christmas puppy chow is how much you can customize it to make it your own. If you want to switch it up from the classic holiday M&Ms and go with a different kind, you can.

To keep with the Christmas theme, you can add sprinkles or other Christmas candies in. A delicious favorite of mine is to make a s’mores version with mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces added.

You could also substitute your peanut butter for other nut butters or even Nutella for a rich chocolate hazelnut flavor.

I have even made it with peppermint bark for another festive holiday muddy buddy version.

small bowl of reindeer chow with holiday M&Ms on a table with christmas decorations

Christmas Puppy Chow FAQs

Why does this snack have so many different names?

What you call this treat usually has to do with what region you are in. Puppy Chow is what it is typically called in the Midwest, where the recipe is said to have originated from. Chex Mix started putting the recipe on the back of its cereal boxes and called it Muddy Buddies. General Mills actually came out with a pre-packaged bag of Muddy Buddies in 2010.

Why is it called Puppy Chow?

The name puppy chow came to be because it resembles dog food. That’s why around the holidays, some call it reindeer chow instead.
Fun fact: Purina actually invented Chex cereal in the 1930s.

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