Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats bring two childhood favorites together in one incredible bite. You likely remember eating handfuls of sweet Puppy Chow at school parties. The classic mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar is pure nostalgia.
We love the taste, but the traditional loose mix often creates a powdery mess on the couch. These bars solve that problem brilliantly. You get all the crunch and flavor packed into a neat, chewy square. They are much easier to handle and just as delicious.
I whip these up for movie nights, and the tray always empties before the opening credits roll. They offer the perfect balance of gooey marshmallow and crispy texture. If you enjoy simple treats like my no-bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, you will absolutely adore this recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
You are going to obsess over this recipe for a few specific reasons.
- No-Bake Ease: You never need to touch the oven. This keeps your kitchen cool and makes cleanup a breeze. It fits perfectly alongside other favorites like my no-bake summer berry icebox cake.
- Simple Ingredients: We use just a handful of pantry staples. You likely have the peanut butter and cereal ready to go.
- Crowd Favorite: This treat combines two legendary desserts into one. Kids and adults both fight for the last square. It rivals the popularity of my chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats.
- Incredible Texture: Every bite offers a satisfying crunch. The chocolate coating and powdered sugar finish create a gooey and sweet experience.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The right ingredients make or break this no-bake dessert. You need specific textures to get that classic crunch.
Rice Krispies Cereal: I highly recommend using name-brand Rice Krispies. They tend to stay crispier than store-brand versions. Freshness is key here. Check your box before you start. Stale cereal results in a tough and chewy bar rather than a light and crispy one.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Stick to commercial brands like Jif or Skippy. You must avoid natural peanut butters that separate or require stirring. The excess oil in natural varieties prevents the coating from setting properly. If you have extra peanut butter later, use it up with my peanut butter balls.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are my go-to choice. They provide a rich flavor that balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar. Milk chocolate also works, but the final treat will be much sweeter. You want a smooth melt similar to my chocolate peanut clusters.
Butter: Use salted butter for this recipe. The slight saltiness cuts through the sugar and enhances the chocolate flavor. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, add a pinch of sea salt to the melting bowl.
How to Make Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats
Making these is fast. You will have a delicious dessert ready in minutes.
Melt the Chocolate & Peanut Butter
Grab a large microwave-safe bowl. Combine your chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals. Stir well after each burst. You must watch it closely. Chocolate scorches easily if you overheat it. Stop once the mixture looks glossy and smooth. This method ensures a silky base, just like when making 2-ingredient peanut butter fudge.
Fold in the Cereal
Pour the Rice Krispies into the chocolate mixture. Use a large spatula to fold the cereal in. You need to be gentle here. Aggressive stirring crushes the cereal into dust. We want to keep those distinct, crispy puffs intact. Coat every piece evenly with the chocolate.
Press & Set
Transfer the sticky mixture to your prepared pan. Press it down into an even layer. The mixture is very sticky. I use a greased spatula or even a leftover butter wrapper to press it down. This prevents the treat from sticking to your hands. Let the pan sit at room temperature to set.
The Powdered Sugar Coating (Two Methods)
You have two choices for the finish.
- The Shake: Cut the set treats into squares. Toss them in a zip-top bag with powdered sugar. Shake gently until coated. This mimics the classic Chex mix experience.
- The Dusting: Leave the treats in the pan. Sift powdered sugar over the top before cutting. This creates a lighter coating and less mess.
Pro-Tips for Perfect Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats
Follow these tips to ensure your bars turn out perfectly every time.
- Don’t Overheat: Chocolate creates a grainy mess if it gets too hot. We call this seizing. Microwave your mixture in short 30-second bursts. Stir vigorously between each heating cycle. This keeps the mixture smooth and glossy. You want the same consistency used for chocolate peanut clusters.
- Lining the Pan: Make removal easy with a parchment sling. Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly longer than your pan. Press it in so the edges hang over the sides. You can lift the entire block out once it hardens. This trick helps you get clean cuts, just like with peanut butter cookie bars.
- Chill Factor: You might want to rush the setting process. Placing the pan in the fridge helps it firm up quickly. Remove it after 20 minutes. Long exposure to cold makes the marshmallow and chocolate rock hard. Room temperature setting takes longer but provides the best chewy texture.
Variations & Add-Ins
You can easily customize this recipe. It serves as a perfect base for creativity.
Double Chocolate: Chocolate lovers will appreciate this twist. Stir in a cup of mini chocolate chips. You must let the mixture cool slightly first. If it is too hot, the chips will melt completely. This adds texture similar to my chocolate chip cookie dough brownie bombs.
Salty Crunch: I love a sweet and salty combination. Mix in a cup of broken pretzel pieces with the cereal. The salt cuts the sweetness perfectly. It reminds me of the addictive flavor in saltine cracker toffee.
Holiday Themed: Make these festive for any season. Toss in red and green M&Ms for Christmas. Use pastel sprinkles for Easter. You can adapt them just like my Christmas cookies or chocolate covered Easter eggs.
Storage & Freezing FAQ
Proper storage keeps your treats soft and delicious for days.
How do I store them? Store your Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. The counter is the best spot. Cold air from the refrigerator makes the marshmallow and chocolate coating rock hard. You want them to remain chewy, just like my chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats.
How long do they last? These bars stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. The cereal starts to lose its crispness after that. They usually disappear much faster than the expiration date.
Can you freeze them? Yes, these freeze wonderfully. Place the cut squares in a freezer-safe container or bag. You must separate the layers with wax paper or parchment paper. This prevents them from freezing into one giant block. They will keep for up to 3 months. Let them sit on the counter for 15 minutes before eating.
FAQs About Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats
Can I use other cereals?
Yes, you have options. Chex cereal works great if you love that traditional Fall Chex Mix style. Cornflakes or even Golden Grahams make fun substitutes. Just know the final texture changes depending on the cereal shape you choose.
Why did my chocolate seize?
Moisture is the enemy of melting chocolate. Even a single drop of water causes the mixture to harden instantly into a gritty mess. High heat does the same thing. Always use a completely dry bowl and heat the chocolate in short intervals to keep it smooth.
Is this gluten-free?
You need to be careful here. Standard Rice Krispies use malt flavoring, which isn’t gluten-free. You must look specifically for the box labeled “Certified Gluten-Free brown rice cereal.” This simple switch makes the treat safe for everyone to enjoy.
Easy & Delicious Recipes to Try Next
If you loved these easy no-bake bars, you will adore my other simple dessert recipes. I have gathered a few more favorites that require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor.
- Classic Combo: Love the flavor? Try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats next.
- Original Crunch: Craving the original snack mix? Make a batch of Fall Chex Mix today.
- Oven-Free: Keep the kitchen cool with these chewy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies.
- Sweet & Salty: For another addictive hit, whip up this simple Saltine Cracker Toffee.
These recipes are perfect for busy days or last-minute cravings. Grab your ingredients and get started. You will find your new favorite treat in no time!
Enjoy Your Homemade Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats
You now possess the secret to the ultimate no-bake dessert. These Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats deliver massive crunch and rich chocolate peanut butter flavor without the usual mess. They take just minutes to prepare and vanish from the plate even faster. You need to make a batch for your next party or family movie night.
Did you try this recipe? I want to hear about it. Leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Do you love finding new easy recipes? Follow me on Facebook for more delicious ideas and check out my full collection of dessert recipes for more inspiration.
Print
Muddy Buddy Rice Krispie Treats
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This no-bake dessert combines the gooey crunch of Rice Krispie treats with the addictive chocolate-peanut butter flavor of classic Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow). They are easy to make and perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the treats out later for cutting.
- Melt the base: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Add butter and vanilla: In a separate small bowl, melt the butter. Stir the melted butter and the vanilla extract into the chocolate-peanut butter mixture until fully combined and glossy.
- Coat the cereal: Gently pour the Rice Krispies cereal into the chocolate mixture. Carefully fold and stir with a spatula until every piece of cereal is evenly coated, being careful not to crush the cereal.
- Press and set: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or lightly greased hands, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Let the treats cool and set at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. You can refrigerate them for 15 to 20 minutes to speed up the process.
- Cut and coat: Once firm, lift the block out of the pan and cut it into squares.
- For Classic Style: Place the squares into a large zip-top bag with the powdered sugar. Seal and shake gently until the squares are fully coated.
- For Lighter Style: Arrange the squares on a plate and sift a smaller amount of powdered sugar (about 1/2 cup) over the tops.
Notes
- For extra texture, add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips after the mixture cools slightly.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Refrigeration makes them firmer but slightly less chewy.
- These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: muddy buddy treats, rice krispie treats, chocolate peanut butter bars, no bake dessert, puppy chow bars
