There’s something so nostalgic and cozy about this festive treat. I’m excited to share my favorite Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe with you — it’s a delicious mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and that perfect powdery sugar coating topped with holiday M&M’s. It’s a must-make snack during the season!

A large white bowl is filled with many small, square cereal pieces coated in white powder, giving them a snowy look. Scattered evenly on top and around the cereal are bright red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding colorful spots to the white base. To the right, a smaller white bowl holds more of these red and green chocolates, with some spilling out onto the wood-textured table. At the bottom, a small light wooden scoop is filled with the same red and green candies. A green cloth with white dots lies on the left side under the bowl, and the whole scene rests on a wooden table with light brown grain lines. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love making this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe every holiday because it’s quick, tasty, and brings everyone together. It’s one of those treats that’s impossible to resist once you get started snacking.

Simple & Fast: Ready in just about 10 minutes, you can have a festive snack on the table before guests even fully arrive.
Kids and Adults Alike: The mix of chocolate and peanut butter is a classic that everyone tends to enjoy, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Easy to Customize: You can swap out candies or sprinkle in nuts to make it truly your own creation.
Perfect for Gifting: Pack it up in jars or festive bags – it’s always a hit as a handmade food gift.

A large white bowl filled with small square cereal pieces covered in white powder with tiny dark specs, mixed with bright red and green candy-coated chocolates scattered evenly on top. Next to the bowl on a wooden surface, there is a small white bowl holding dark chocolate chips and a light wooden spoon resting inside it. In the background, a glass jar of milk is partly visible. The setting is on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is in how the ingredients complement each other — rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter melt together to lovingly coat the crisp Chex cereal, while the confectioners sugar adds just that perfect snowy sweetness. Picking fresh, good-quality chocolate chips makes a noticeable difference.

Flat lay of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small white ceramic bowl, smooth creamy peanut butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a thick slab of pale yellow butter on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, nine cups of crisp Rice Chex cereal spread neatly on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners sugar, and a handful of colorful holiday M&M’s scattered naturally on a white ceramic plate, each ingredient fresh and natural, balanced symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: They melt smoothly and balance the peanut butter’s richness without making the mix too sweet.
Creamy peanut butter: Creamy works best here for an even coating; chunky can be a bit uneven.
Butter: Adds extra richness and helps the chocolate stay silky as you mix.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances all the flavors beautifully.
Rice Chex cereal: The light, crispy texture holds the chocolate-peanut butter coating perfectly without breaking easily.
Confectioners sugar: This creates that iconic “powdered” coating that makes Puppy Chow so addictive.
Holiday M&M’s: Adds festive color and a little crunch, plus they’re just fun to eat!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe my own by switching up the mix-ins every year! It’s an easy base to tweak, so you can make it perfect for your family’s tastes or dietary preferences.

Variation: Last year, I added some chopped pretzels for a salty crunch and it was a game changer — a sweet-salty combo that everyone raved about!
Nut-Free Option: Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, and use allergy-friendly candies to keep it safe and just as tasty.
Spicy Twist: For something different, sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to warm up the flavor profile.
Chocolate Lovers: Use dark or white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet to match your mood and preference.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter

I start by adding the semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each, until everything melts into a smooth, glossy mixture. This prevents any burning and keeps the texture silky. Then I stir in softened butter and vanilla extract — this combo gives the coating that buttery richness and depth.

Step 2: Coat the Chex Cereal Gently

Next, pour the rice Chex cereal into the chocolate mixture. I gently fold it in with a spatula, making sure to coat all the pieces without breaking them up. It’s tempting to stir vigorously, but patience preserves those square shapes that make Puppy Chow so fun to munch on!

Step 3: Shake It Up with Powdered Sugar

This is the fun part: transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, then add the confectioners sugar. Seal and shake gently but thoroughly until every Chex is dusted. If your bag is small, do this in batches. When I first made this, I didn’t shake enough and ended up with clumps — so trust me on the shake!

Step 4: Add the Holiday M&M’s and Serve

Finally, pour your powdered-sugar-coated mix into a big bowl and toss in those festive holiday M&M’s. The pops of red and green always make me smile. Now it’s ready to serve — or snack on immediately if you can’t wait!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe come out perfect every time. These helped me avoid common mistakes and get that irresistible texture.

Gentle Mixing: When coating cereal, mix carefully to prevent breaking pieces, which affects the crunch and appearance.
Microwave Caution: Don’t overheat the chocolate-peanut butter combo; reheating in short bursts while stirring avoids burning.
Use a Large Bag for Shaking: Make sure there’s enough room to shake the mixture freely with the powdered sugar for full even coating.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the butter soften before melting for a smooth, even sauce that’s easier to work with.

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Christmas Puppy Chow - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the holiday M&M’s for that punch of color and festive vibe. Sometimes I sprinkle a few mini candy canes crushed over the top for a peppermint twist, which adds a lovely aroma and crunch!

Side Dishes

This Puppy Chow goes great with a hot cup of cocoa or even alongside a holiday cheese plate if you’re serving it as part of a snack spread. It’s a sweet complement to almost any savory party bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Love sharing this as gifts? Package it in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon. Or layer the Puppy Chow and M&M’s in a mason jar for a gift that looks as good as it tastes. I’ve also served it in mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go party snacks — a hit with guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature, and it usually lasts about 5 days without losing its charm. For an extra chilled treat, I pop some in the fridge — I find I actually prefer it that way because it’s slightly firmer and even more snackable.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen it often, I’ve read that freezing Puppy Chow can work if sealed tightly. Just thaw it out at room temp and give it a quick stir before serving to refresh the texture. Definitely best to freeze it only if you want a longer keep time!

Reheating

Since Puppy Chow is a cold snack, you really don’t need to reheat it. If the chocolate firms up too much in the fridge, just let it sit at room temp a bit before digging in — the texture comes back beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe safe for dogs?

Despite the name, this treat is definitely for humans only! The chocolate and sugar ingredients can be harmful to dogs, so it’s best to keep it out of their reach.

Can I make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just be sure to use gluten-free rice Chex cereal varieties, and always check additional mix-ins like candy to confirm they’re gluten-free as well.

What’s the best way to avoid clumping in Puppy Chow?

The key to avoiding clumps is gentle shaking in a large zip-top bag with confectioners sugar until the cereal pieces are fully coated but not stuck together. Also, don’t add too much sugar all at once; do it gradually.

Can I prepare Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare this Puppy Chow a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container. This actually helps the flavors meld, but just be mindful not to let it sit too long or the cereal may lose its crispness.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is one of those recipes I keep coming back to year after year because it’s simply comforting and indulgent without any hassle. Whether you’re making it to share at holiday parties, gift to friends, or just enjoy between decorating the tree, it always brings a smile to my face. Give it a try — I think you’ll love how effortlessly festive and delicious it turns out!