Easy Nutella Puppy Chow (Without Peanut Butter)

If you are looking for a delicious puppy chow recipe without peanut butter, then Nutella puppy chow is the perfect snack mix! Not only are Nutella muddy buddies perfect for holidays, watching the game, or road trips, but all can enjoy this addicting gluten-free snack!

Nutella puppy chow is a beloved family recipe. However, their lack of self-control around it makes me wonder if I’m providing a delicious snack or aiding and abetting a worrisome addiction.

My husband is freakishly powerless around this stuff. He can’t physically be in the vicinity without eating it till it’s gone or he’s going to vomit, whichever comes first.

Essentially, he has the willpower of a puppy. Evidently he’s not the only helpless soul out there, which is probably where puppy chow got its name.

I continue to make it, though, because like other popular dessert snacks, such as chocolate covered popcorn or peanut brittle, gluten-free puppy chow is a treat I can enjoy right along with them!

If you happen to have a peanut allergy, or looking for a puppy chow recipe without chocolate chips, this recipe happens to check those boxes as well! Not only are Nutella muddy buddies made with gluten-free cereal, but without peanut butter or chocolate chips.

As an added bonus, just like all the recipes shared on my site and in my gluten-free cookbook, the ingredients are readily available in any store and affordable!

Below I will share how to make Nutella puppy chow, adaptations to turn it into a festive seasonal treat, storage tips, ingredient modifications, and more! Let’s get started making easy, gluten-free puppy chow!

Ingredient notes

• Nutella – Chocolate hazelnut spread is found in the peanut butter aisle in your local supermarket. It replaces the peanut butter and chocolate chips in traditional muddy buddies recipes.
• Butter – Because this recipe does not have peanut butter, a little more butter is used to help coat the Chex cereal before adding the powdered sugar.
• Chex cereal – This gluten-free cereal is the base of mixture. You may use rice Chex, corn Chex, or a mixture of both.
• Powdered sugar – The confectioners sugar is added in two stages to achieve maximum coating.

How to make nutella puppy chow

1. Place 1/2 cup butter and Nutella in a microwave safe bowl. Heat at 50% powder for 2 minutes, or until smooth and melted. Alternatively, in a pan over medium low heat melt butter and Nutella.
2. Pour the Nutella mixture over Chex cereal and mix together until the cereal is coated.I find the best way to do this is using a large baking sheet, pouring the chocolate over, and then using disposable-gloved hands to gently mix. You may also use a large bowl and gently stir, but be sure to not crush the cereal as you are mixing.
3. Transfer the coated cereal to a large paper bag. Pour in one cup of powdered sugar, close bag, and shake to combine. Refrigerate for 5 minutes so the chocolate is slightly set, but not fully hardened. Add the additional cup of powdered sugar and shake again Refrigerate again to fully harden.
4. At this point pour into a bowl to enjoy or mix in any optional ingredients, such as M&Ms, peanuts, and yogurt covered raisins.

Mix-ins and seasonal ideas

Turn puppy chow into a festive holiday snack! Substitute red and green Christmas M&Ms for the traditional ones. Also, add additional decadent treats, such as chocolate covered raisins, peanuts, gluten-free pretzels, or miniature marshmallows.

Reindeer Chow or Christmas muddy buddies can also be transformed into a Halloween or fall snack mix by substituting fall colored M&Ms, candy corn, and peanuts.

If giving this sweet snack mix as a gift, pick up small, food-safe gift bags at your local store or you can find more gifting ideas on my easy chocolate bark recipe post!

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Unfortunately Nutella puppy chow is not dairy-free because of the butter and hazelnut spread. However, there are some options for making it dairy-free.

There are some chocolate hazelnut spread alternatives that are dairy-free, such as Justin’s Hazelnut & Almond Butter or Nocciolata hazelnut spread.For the butter, you may substitute vegan butter sticks, such as Earth Balance.

Storing puppy chow so it stays fresh

You’ll want to store your puppy chow so it doesn’t get stale and stays fresh. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.

For frozen muddy buddies, thaw on the counter for 1 hour, then sprinkle on additional powdered sugar if any fell off during storing.

Best Tips and tricks

• To make sure the Chex cereal is evenly covered with chocolate mixture, lay the cereal on a baking sheet and pour chocolate over. Mix with a spoon or plastic-gloved hands.
• Alternatively, place 1/3 cereal in a large bowl and pour 1/3 chocolate over. Stir to combine, then repeat in 2 more additions.
• After the chocolate is evenly mixed with the cereal, let it cool slightly, but don’t allow to completely harden. I throw mine in the fridge for 5 minutes.
• Add the powdered sugar in stages as well. After the puppy chow is cooled slightly, mix with 1 cup powdered sugar. Let puppy chow harden completely and then mix with remaining powdered sugar.
• You can mix the powdered sugar in a large bowl, but I find it easier and quicker to do in a large paper grocery bag. Just make sure to shake over the kitchen sink in case any powdered sugar escapes from the seams!

Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More gluten-free snacks

• Gluten-Free Chex Mix
• Peanut Brittle
• Microwave Caramel Corn

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