Puppy Chow Chocolate Truffles

by Kayla Berman on September 2, 2022 2 comments

Puppy Chow Truffles are the perfect sweet treat dessert recipe! Made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and semi sweet chocolate … these easy, no bake, bite-sized balls are crunchy, creamy, sweet, and delicious. Perfect for munching on and gifting during the holiday season!

Creamy, Crunchy, No-Bake Sweet Treat

I am a major fan of those sweet treat snacks that are gifted and enjoyed during the holiday season! You know the cinnamon sugar pretzels and Christmas snack mixes?

They fill my house for the whole month of December. Although they are not the best for my health, they are amazing for my soul. And my stomach. I am quite the happy camper when I can munch and snack on them whenever I like.

Puppy Chow Truffles are just that treat! These little bites are full of crunchy cereal, peanut buttery flavor, sweet chocolate, and are complete with a powdered sugar coating.

Plus I love how they end up looking super festive and snowball-like. It’s amazing!

This spin on the classic treat is fun, easy to make, delicious and sure to be a total crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

These bite-sized balls are made with only 4 simple ingredients!

They’re a quick, easy, and inexpensive treat to make. Yet still incredibly scrumptious.

Ingredient Notes

Chex Cereal: Chex cereal, specifically rice Chex, is the base of this treat! As it is for the traditional puppy chows. You’ll need 4 cups.
Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is the glue that sticks these truffles together if you will. The classic, smooth peanut butter is what you’ll need, not the natural kind. Add 1 cup!
Powdered Sugar: These treats are sweetened with powdered sugar in multiple ways! It goes into the cereal mixture and serves as the truffle coating. 1/2 + 1/3 is perfect.
Chocolate Chips: This dessert recipe is complete with a thick, creamy, and sweet chocolate coating. Add 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. These are my absolute favorite!

Substitutions & Additions

Since this recipe is quite simple, there are not too many substitutions you could make. But I do have a few ideas, as well as additional mix-ins!

Chocolate: You could replace the semi sweet chocolate here with any chocolate you like. White, dark, or milk chocolate should all work.

Cereal: The rice Chex here could be swapped with corn Chex! Or any of the other Chex variations.

Flavor: These treats are super simple, only 4 ingredients! But there are so many ways to add additional flavor. Vanilla extract or cinnamon would be a perfect addition to the cereal and peanut butter mixture to elevate it. Or even pumpkin pie spice for the fall and peppermint for Christmas!

Coatings: These chocolate truffles are simply rolled in powder sugar. But if you’re looking to switch it up try rolling in cocoa powder, sprinkles, or adding a chocolate drizzle!

How To Make Puppy Chow Truffles

These truffles are a super easy, no-bake, sweet treat to make! They are great for the holiday season and are a perfect homemade food gift.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: First add the peanut butter and powdered sugar to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 10 second intervals, stirring in between each one, until melted and smooth.

Step 2: Place cereal in a large bowl. Crush it into small pieces, leaving some bigger pieces.

Step 3: Pour the peanut butter mixture into the cereal. Combine. Place the mixture into the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.

crushed rice Chex mixed with peanut butter and powdered sugar

Step 4: Next add the chocolate chips to a double boiler. Melt chocolate.

Step 5: Remove the cereal mixture from the fridge. Roll the mixture into about 1 1/2 tbsp sized balls.

Step 6: Coat the balls in the melted chocolate. Place in the refrigerator for the chocolate coating to harden.

Step 7: Next add the powdered sugar (1/2 cup) to a bowl. Roll the chocolate coated cereal truffles in the powdered sugar once hardened.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Expert Tips

Mash the Chex up thoroughly! The smaller the pieces, the easier to form the truffles.

Use a food processor to crush the cereal easily.

Use chocolate melting wafers for easy truffle dipping and coating.

Refrigerate the cereal peanut butter mix before rolling. It will be much easier to form into balls!

Allow the chocolate to fully harden before coating in the powdered sugar.

For a lighter powdered sugar coating, sprinkle the truffles rather than dunking them.

The cereal peanut butter mixture will be slightly hard to form into balls, but do not worry! This is how it is supposed to be. You just have to squeeze and press it firmly to stick together.

Use a cookie scoop to get evenly sized truffles!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is puppy chow?

Puppy chow is Chex cereal coated in typically a peanut butter, butter, and chocolate mixture and then tossed in powdered sugar. This delectable sweet treat is perfect for holiday gifting, munching, and snacking!

It is also known as reindeer chow or muddy buddies.

Why is it called puppy chow?

It is called puppy chow because the traditional version described above looks like dog food!

How to best store this recipe?

This recipe is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the chocolate hard and prevents it from melting.

The truffles will keep for about 1 – 1 1/2 weeks!

Love this recipe? Check out some similar recipes…

No-Bake Desserts

Holiday Treats

Connect With Me!

If you make this truffle recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.