Red velvet puppy chow is such a fun and festive twist on classic muddy buddies. This sweet cereal snack has plenty of crunch and a fun red color. It is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and more.
If you are looking for a way to make puppy chow even more fun, you are in the right place. This recipe features red velvet to add color and flavor to the classic chocolate and peanut butter treat.
It is almost Valentine’s Day. You know what that means?
Red food and plenty of chocolate! So I figured I might as well combine the two in a fun treat.
Puppy chow is always a favorite with our gang and brownie batter puppy chow is even better. So I just knew a red velvet version would be perfect.
So I went to work and made a big batch. I thought it would be fun to add in some pretzels for extra crunch and a bit of salt.
In full disclosure, my husband the puppy chow fanatic said he’d prefer it without the pretzels. See how he is?
The good news is they are easy enough to pick around and I loved them so I got more salty crunch. So in the end it was kind of a win-win!
If you would prefer to omit the pretzels, feel free. Just replace them with more cereal.
I had this when we had a group over for games and snack so that we wouldn’t accidentally eat the whole batch in a night on our own. As I expected, people kept going back for more throughout the night.
A few strategically placed bowls kept the hands going back for just one more piece. And can you blame them?
It is hard to stop going back for piece after piece of chocolate peanut butter goodness. Muddy buddies have a way of doing that to you.
When I originally shared this recipe in 2018, I added sprinkles to the mix because that is what I had. This time I added peanut butter M&Ms and that was much tastier!
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More Valentine’s Treat Ideas
If you want some more fun Valentine’s ideas, I have you covered. Maybe your love would like a red velvet cheese ball.
For something different you could make some pink velvet ice cream with cream cheese frosting swirl. Or if you aren’t in the mood for chocolate, Little Dude and I made some sour cream cut out cookies last year that were a hit.
Red velvet truffles are another festive no bake option for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Or make some heart peanut butter blossom cookies.
Do you have a favorite puppy chow variation? We’d love to try more!
Tips for making puppy chow or muddy buddies
I like melting my chocolate chips in a large glass bowl in the microwave. Melting the chocolate in a bowl that is big enough to stir in the cereal later means fewer dirty dishes.
Warm them in short twenty second bursts, stirring in between, until you can stir them smooth. That way you will avoid scorching your chocolate.
Stir in the peanut butter until mixed, add a dash of vanilla if desired. Then gently fold in the cereal and pretzels.
If you have a 2 gallon plastic zipper bag, this is a great time to use one. That gives you plenty of room to shake it all up and coat the cereal in the cake mix.
You can use a smaller bag, but it is harder to get everything coated. Then let it set up and enjoy, it really is that simple!
Red Velvet Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 7 cups chex cereal
- 4 cups pretzels
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1 Bag peanut butter M&Ms
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Start with 30 seconds, then stir and return to microwave in 15 second intervals being sure to stir between each until the chocolate is smooth.1½ cups chocolate chips
- Stir in the peanut butter until completely combined.¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- Fold in cereal and pretzels until well coated.7 cups chex cereal, 4 cups pretzels
- Place in a gallon zip topped bag with the red velvet cake mix and shake until coated.1 box red velvet cake mix
- Allow to set up, then stir in M&M's before serving.1 Bag peanut butter M&Ms
Video
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How fun is this!?! I am excited to try the pretzels in this. I have never used pretzels in puppy chow before. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
Hi Carlee, your puppy chow looks far better than it sounds and not at all like anything our dogs should eat. I do like a sweet and salty combination too.
xx
The can see how that name is a bit confusing as it is certainly not for puppies. But that is the name we have always called cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter coated in powdered sugar. It is definitely an addictive treat if you've never had it. This is my red velvet twist on a childhood favorite 😉
I haven't made Puppy Chow in years!! I will have to look and see if I still have my recipe, I've moved quite a few times since the last kitchen I remember making that in!
Your Red Velvet flavor sounds sooo good! I think that will be a perfect Valentine's Day treat!
It's one of those things that I have to make about once a year. My husband loves it when I do!
Oh my goodness, this looks divine! I might have to cheat on my keto diet just for this!
It is totally worth it! 😉
puppy chow? must be an American thing – other than as food for dogs:=) cheers S
It probably is an American thing. It's just a cute name for a snack mix. Some people call in muddy buddies, but we always called it puppy chow.
Puppy chow is so addictive! And this one looks amazing! Love the idea Carlee!
It is definitely hard to stop once you start!
This red velvet puppy chow makes me so happy! You know I love anything red velvet and I am all about snack foods right now! This is perfect and made with so much LOVE!
Thank you so much, Andrea!
This really is addicting. I was sitting next to two of the snackers. If only I had counted how many times they pushed the bowl and said “I need to stop eating this” only to get back into it again. “Just one more handful.” Yah, right. 🤣
Ha! It was funny to watch people keep going back for more!