There’s something about that sweet, chocolatey crunch mixed with peanut butter and powdered sugar that feels like a cozy holiday hug. This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is a festive twist on the classic snack, perfect for sharing or sneaking a few bites when no one’s looking.

A large white bowl is filled with many small square cereal pieces coated in white powder, making the texture look soft and snowy. Scattered on and around these cereal pieces are shiny red and green round candies with a glossy, smooth surface. Next to the bowl is a smaller white bowl also filled with the same red and green round candies. A small light wooden scoop holds some candies in the bottom right corner. The setup sits on a brown wooden table with visible grain, next to a green cloth with white polka dots that is wrinkled and folded. A few candies are scattered loosely on the table around the bowls 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 have to admit, Christmas Puppy Chow is my go-to holiday treat because it’s incredibly simple yet packs so much festive flavor and fun. Every year, I look forward to making this with my family, and it always brings out that joyful spirit.

Quick & Easy: It takes just about 10 minutes to whip up, making it perfect for last-minute holiday prepping.
Kid-Friendly: Little hands love helping toss the cereal and add holiday M&M’s, which adds to the fun.
Customizable: You can swap out candies or nuts to make it uniquely yours.
Perfect Party Snack: It’s great for gift-giving or a festive movie night treat.

A large white bowl filled with small square-shaped cereal pieces dusted with white powdered sugar, scattered with bright red and green candy-coated chocolates on top. To the right side, there is a small white bowl holding dark brown chocolate chips with a small wooden scoop resting inside. The background surface is a white marbled texture with hints of wood peeking through. The image has a close-up view showing the crunchy texture of the cereal pieces and the smooth glossy finish of the candies photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe relies on simple staples that come together to create that irresistible combination of crunchy, sweet, and salty. Each ingredient brings its own magic to the blend.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl filled with crunchy rice Chex cereal, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white confectioners sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of colorful holiday M&M’s, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged with balanced spacing and symmetry, 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: Smooth melting chocolate adds rich sweetness and that classic puppy chow base.
Creamy peanut butter: Balances chocolate with a silky, nutty flavor and helps the coating stick.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the mixture set just right.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the chocolate and peanut butter combo with warm flavor notes.
Rice Chex cereal: Crisp, light cereal that holds up well without getting soggy.
Confectioners sugar: Dusting the coated cereal makes the Puppy Chow that distinct sweet and powdery treat we all adore.
Holiday M&M’s: Adds color, crunch, and a playful holiday twist.

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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 mixing things up depending on the mood or occasion. This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is super versatile, so don’t hesitate to swap out your favorite add-ins or adjust sweetness to suit your tastes.

Variation: One year, I added chopped pecans and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy winter twist—so good!
Dietary swaps: You can easily use dairy-free butter and peanut butter alternatives to make it vegan-friendly.
Seasonal changes: Try swapping holiday M&M’s for other seasonal candies or dried fruit if you want something different.

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

Step 1: Melt and Mix the Chocolate Peanut Butter Mixture

I start by combining the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heating in 30-second bursts and stirring between each is key here—you want a smooth, shiny mixture without burning the chocolate. Once melted, add the butter and vanilla, stirring until everything is perfectly combined.

Step 2: Coat the Chex Cereal Gently

Pour the rice Chex cereal into the bowl and toss carefully. The goal is to coat each piece without breaking them up. This part always reminds me to slow down—the crunchiness depends on it.

Step 3: Sugar-Coating in a Zip-Top Bag

Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag and add the confectioners sugar. Seal it up and gently shake to dust every piece evenly. If your bag isn’t big enough, do this in batches so nothing gets missed.

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

Pour your beautifully coated Puppy Chow into a serving bowl and fold in the colorful holiday M&M’s. Then, dig in! This part always brings a smile—those candies make all the difference during holiday get-togethers.

Top Tip

After making this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe several times, I've learned a few tricks that really take it from good to irresistible.

Low and slow melting: Microwaving the chocolate and peanut butter in short intervals with stirring prevents scorching and keeps the texture silky smooth.
Gentle mixing: When tossing cereal, handle it softly to avoid crushed pieces—trust me, crunchy bites are worth the patience.
Shake it well: Use a large bag to coat in powdered sugar evenly; this avoids clumps and leaves everything perfectly dusted.
Chill before serving: Letting it cool in the fridge firms up the coating and makes the Puppy Chow satisfyingly crisp.

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Christmas Puppy Chow - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically just toss in holiday M&M’s, but I sometimes sprinkle crushed candy canes or tiny sprinkles on top for extra sparkle and peppermint notes. These garnishes add festive color and a little crunch that’s just irresistible.

Side Dishes

Puppy Chow pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee—it’s like a sweet, crunchy companion. I also love serving it alongside softer holiday cookies for texture contrast during parties.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to offer Puppy Chow in clear glass jars or festive bowls, layering with colorful candy for a pretty display. Mini brown paper bags tied with twine make for charming little take-home gifts for friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Puppy Chow in airtight containers at room temperature for up to five days. If I want it to last longer, I pop it in the fridge where it keeps beautifully for about a week, and I actually prefer the chilled crunch!

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to make a big batch ahead of time. Just be sure to seal it tightly in a freezer bag. When thawed at room temperature, it holds up well and tastes just as good.

Reheating

Because this is a no-bake treat, reheating isn’t necessary. If the Puppy Chow gets sticky, a short chill in the fridge refreshes the texture perfectly without losing flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peanut butter alternatives in this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe works well with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any creamy nut/seed butter you prefer. Just keep the same quantity and taste as you go.

How do I keep the cereal from breaking during mixing?

The key is to gently fold the cereal into the chocolate mixture rather than stirring aggressively. Using a large bowl gives you room to toss carefully without crushing the pieces.

What's the best way to coat the cereal evenly with powdered sugar?

Using a large zip-top bag to shake the cereal with powdered sugar gives the most even coverage. You can do this in batches if needed to make sure all pieces get coated without lumps.

Can I make this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! It actually tastes great when made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container. Just keep it sealed well, and if you like, chill before serving for extra crispness.

Final Thoughts

For me, this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is more than a snack—it’s a holiday tradition that brings smiles and a little magic. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and find it as perfect for sharing with loved ones or just treating yourself during the busy season. Go ahead and give it a try—your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!