My Red Velvet Chex Muddy Recipe is extremely easy to make. I grew up eating muddy buddies but I am always looking to reinvent things. So I took my favorite things and made a new version with red velvet cake mix and M&M candies.
Want more great candy recipes, try my rolo and pretzel turtles and my cracker toffee recipe. Perfect for gift giving or party treats.
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Why this Chex Muddy Buddy Recipe is a Keeper
I brought some to a friend’s movie night, and it was a total hit. Everyone was asking for the recipe, and I had to fight to keep some for myself! It’s the perfect sweet treat for any occasion, and honestly, it’s just plain fun to make.
- 10 Minute Snack: These easy Chex muddy buddies take only 10 minutes to make.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for Chex Mix muddy buddies can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Favorite: This muddy buddies recipe is perfect for parties or snacks on family trips. This snack idea is also a popular recipe for game nights.
Can I Make Other Muddy Buddies Flavors?
You can make this recipe with other kinds of Chex cereal, or add in different flavors of cake mix if you want.
Ingredient Notes for this Muddy Buddies Recipe
- M&M Candies: This recipe calls for red and pink M&Ms.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Make sure this muddy buddies Chex party mix is well coated with chocolate and peanut butter. You can also use crunchy peanut butter or peanut butter chips.
- 1 Cup Red Candy Melts: While you can use any type of chocolate, including milk chocolate chips, these just make it more fun and festive.
- Chex Cereal: Use your favorite flavor of Chex cereal. Corn Chex and Rice Chex cereal both work.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Chex Puppy Chow Recipe
- Measure out the ingredients to have them ready in advance.
- Make ahead of time and store in an airtight container.
Pro Tip
Toast the Chex cereal in the oven before coating it for extra crunch.
How to Make Muddy Buddies
This easy and delicious snack mix made with peanut butter and chocolate is quick and easy to make. While it’s sometimes referred to as “puppy chow” because it looks like dog food, don’t feed it to your dog. If you have any left over, store leftover muddy buddies in an airtight container at room temperature.
These are the basic steps for making red velvet muddy buddies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Microwave Chocolate Chips With Peanut Butter and Butter Uncovered on High
Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl; set aside. Then, place the chocolate candy melts, peanut butter, unsalted butter, and vanilla in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 30 second increments to melt the chocolate. The mixture can be stirred smooth until it cools completely.
2. Pour Into 2-Gallon Resealable Food-Storage Seal Bag and Add Powdered Sugar
Pour the melted chocolate mixture on top of the cereal and stir to combine. Then, place 1/2 of the powdered sugar and cake mix into a gallon sized zip top bag to shake later. Add cereal mixture to the bag and top with the remaining powdered sugar cake mixture.
3. Shake the Cereal and Spread on Waxed Paper to Cool
Seal the bag and shake until all of the cereal is coated in the sugar. Place the chocolate-covered cereal mixture in a large bowl and stir in M&Ms. Spread the mixture on waxed paper and serve.
How to Store and Use this Cereal Mix Recipe
- Storing: Store in airtight container or resealable plastic bag at room temperature. It’s so easy to make and store for later.
- Using Leftovers: Leftovers should stay good for up to a week.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Muddy Buddies
- Peanut Butter Alternatives: Use other nut butters or seed butters instead of peanut butter.
- Chocolate Variations: Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even a combination.
- Sprinkle Fun: Add colorful sprinkles for a festive touch to the muddy buddies also called puppy chow.
Chex Mix Popular Recipe FAQs
To make sure this snack is safe to eat, microwave the cake mix for 1 minute.
These muddy buddies will last up to a week when stored properly.
Try using vegan chocolate and butter substitutes if you don’t want to use dairy products.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Chocolate Tempering (Optional, but Recommended): To make this recipe taste better, temper your chocolate. This involves melting it slowly and carefully, then cooling it slightly before mixing it with the peanut butter. It prevents the chocolate from “blooming” (getting a white, powdery coating) later. Microwaving in short bursts and stirring frequently is key.
- Even Coating: The key to perfect Muddy Buddies is ensuring every Chex piece is coated. Use a large bowl and gently toss the cereal mixture with the chocolate mixture until everything is evenly coated. Don’t be afraid to use your hands (lightly coated with cooking spray) to help distribute the chocolate.
- Cooling is Crucial: Spread the coated Chex mix in a single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheets to cool and set. This prevents clumping and ensures you get those individual, crunchy pieces. Don’t rush this step!
- Powdered Sugar Power: Once the chocolate has set, transfer the Muddy Buddies to a very large bowl (or even a clean trash bag if you’re making a big batch). Pour the powdered sugar over the top and gently toss until every piece is completely coated. Again, patience is key here.
- Flavor Boosters: Don’t be afraid to add flavor extracts to the melted chocolate mixture. A little vanilla extract is classic, but you could also try almond extract, peppermint extract (especially around the holidays), or even a touch of coffee extract.
- Mix-Ins: Get creative with mix-ins! Mini marshmallows, mini M&Ms, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even small pretzel pieces can be added after the chocolate coating but before the powdered sugar.
Red Velvet Chex Muddy Recipe
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Ingredients
- 13.5 ounce Chex Cereal
- 1 cup Red Chocolate Candy Melts
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- ¼ cup Butter
- 1 cup Red Velvet Cake Mix
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 bag M&M's, 12 ounces
Instructions
- Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl; set aside.
- Place the chocolate candy melts, peanut butter, butter and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 30 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture on top of the cereal and stir to combine.
- Place 1/2 of the powdered sugar and cake mix into a gallon sized zip top bag.
- Add cereal mixture to the bag and top with the remaining powdered sugar cake mixture.
- Close the bag and shake until all of the cereal is coated in the sugar.
- Place in a large bowl and stir in M&Ms.
Christina’s Notes
- Chocolate Tempering (Optional, but Recommended): For the smoothest, shiniest chocolate coating, temper your chocolate. This involves melting it slowly and carefully, then cooling it slightly before mixing it with the peanut butter. It prevents the chocolate from “blooming” (getting a white, powdery coating) later. Microwaving in short bursts and stirring frequently is key.
- Even Coating: The key to perfect Muddy Buddies is ensuring every Chex piece is coated. Use a large bowl and gently toss the cereal mixture with the chocolate mixture until everything is evenly coated. Don’t be afraid to use your hands (lightly coated with cooking spray) to help distribute the chocolate.
- Cooling is Crucial: Spread the coated Chex mix in a single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheets to cool and set. This prevents clumping and ensures you get those individual, crunchy pieces. Don’t rush this step!
- Powdered Sugar Power: Once the chocolate has set, transfer the Muddy Buddies to a very large bowl (or even a clean trash bag if you’re making a big batch). Pour the powdered sugar over the top and gently toss until every piece is completely coated. Again, patience is key here.
- Flavor Boosters: Don’t be afraid to add flavor extracts to the melted chocolate mixture. A little vanilla extract is classic, but you could also try almond extract, peppermint extract (especially around the holidays), or even a touch of coffee extract.
- Mix-Ins: Get creative with mix-ins! Mini marshmallows, mini M&Ms, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even small pretzel pieces can be added after the chocolate coating but before the powdered sugar.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I’m not a sweet tooth but my husband was all over these. The perfect Valentine’s day treat..
This red velvet muddy buddy variation is super fun and cute for bake sales:)
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
This recipe looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it sometime.
Your friends are lucky to get a Valentine’s gift like this. It looks delicious! #client
Ohhh! That looks sooo yummy!! Need to make this soon!
Oh these look great! Perfect for a classroom Valentine’s Day Party!
Oh, I haven’t seen the Red Velvet M and M’s. I need to look for those!