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 crazy-delish gluten-free snack!
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Level Up Puppy Chow Without Using Peanut Butter!
Nutella puppy chow is a beloved family recipe. However, their lack of moderation around it makes me wonder if I’m providing a delicious snack or aiding and abetting some worrisome lack of self control.
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 this peanut butter-free puppy chow though, because like other popular dessert snacks, such as sweet and salty chocolate covered popcorn or easy homemade peanut brittle, becaue gluten-free puppy chow is a treat I can enjoy right along with them! Just be sure to use Chex corn or rice cereal when making it.
If you happen to have a peanut allergy, or looking for a recipe without chocolate chips, this happens to check those boxes as well. While Nutella muddy buddies is peanut-free, there’s some alternative easy swaps for the hazelnut spread as well. Check it out below! 👇
More Yummy Options – No Peanut Butter Puppy Chow
Not feeling Nutella? No worries. There’s other options besides peanut butter to make this quick, homemade snack mix. Swap out the 1 cup of hazelnut spread with another nut butter, such as almond or cashew butter. For a nut-free recipe, use sunflower, soy, or Biscoff cookie butter, which isn’t gluten-free, though.
Free Guide! 5 easy tips for baking like a gluten-free pro!
Simple hacks for fail-proof gluten-free dishes every time!
Let’s Make This Together!
(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Melt and cover with Nutella
Melt together the butter with Nutella in a microwave safe bowl or in a saucepan over medium low heat.
Now it’s time to combine the mixture with the cereal. 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.
Best part – shaking!
Transfer the coated cereal to a large paper grocery sack. Pour in one cup of powdered sugar and give a good shake. Pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes to slightly set the chocolate, but not fully hardened. Add the remaining powdered sugar, shake again, then refrigerate again to fully harden.
At this point open it up to endless snacking or pour into a bowl with any optional ingredients, such as M&Ms, peanuts, and yogurt covered raisins.
Fun Seasonal Mix-Ins
Turn puppy chow into a festive holiday snack! Substitute red and green Christmas M&Ms for the traditional ones. Also, add additional some sweet compliments, like chocolate covered raisins, peanuts, gluten-free or regular pretzels, or miniature marshmallows.
For fall inspo, transform it into a Halloween or fall snack mix by substituting fall colored M&Ms, candy corn, and peanuts. For spring or Easter, use pastel M&Ms or mini Cadbury eggs.
My Go-To 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!
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Easy Nutella Puppy Chow (Without Peanut Butter)
Ingredients
- 8 cups (248 g) rice or corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup (300 g) Nutella hazelnut spread, or alternative peanut-free butter
- ½ cup (113.5 g) butter
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, divided
- optional mix-ins: M&Ms, chocolate covered raisins, yogurt raisins, peanuts
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the cereal into a very large bowl or on a cookie sheet. Set aside.8 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- Place the Nutella and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat at 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring intermittently until smooth.1 cup Nutella hazelnut spread, ½ cup butter
- Pour melted Nutella over cereal and gently toss with a spoon or plastic-gloved hands until cereal is coated. (SEE RECIPE NOTES FOR METHOD OF MIXING IN BOWL). Refrigerate for 5 minutes to cool, BUT NOT HARDEN.
- Transfer chocolate covered cereal to large paper bag. Pour in 1 cup powdered sugar, roll top of bag down, and shake over sink to save yourself from cleaning escaping powdered sugar dust. Refrigerate again to fully harden, about 15 minutes. Add last cup of powdered sugar and shake again to combine.2 cups powdered sugar
- Add optional ingredients, such as M&Ms, covered raisins, and peanuts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Storage
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. Thaw on the counter for 1 hour, then sprinkle on additional powdered sugar if any fell off during storing.Tips and Tricks
- To mix cereal with chocolate in a bowl, place 1/3 cereal in a large bowl and pour 1/3 chocolate over. Stir to combine, then repeat in 2 more additions.
- 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 seems!
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