Small-Batch Nutella Puppy Chow

If you grew up snacking on Puppy Chow (also called Muddy Buddies), you already know it's the kind of treat that disappears as soon as it's made. Traditionally, it's a party-sized recipe, but sometimes you want a small bowl of crunchy, chocolatey goodness without a giant batch. That's where this Small-Batch Nutella Puppy Chow comes in!

I took the nostalgic favorite and gave it a Nutella twist for added hazelnut richness, then scaled it down to a cozy 6-serving recipe. This is just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth or package up for a thoughtful edible gift.

Whether you're making it for a movie night, a holiday party favor, or just because, this snack mix hits all the right notes: crunchy, sweet, chocolatey, and addictive in the best way.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredient - Here's What You'll Need
• Simple Steps for Maximum Flavor
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Tips for Success and Serving Suggestions
• Other Edible Gifts
• Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Small-Batch Size: Makes about 6 servings, so no giant party bowl to tempt you for days.

• Nutella Twist: Nutella adds a subtle flavor that complements the chocolate and peanut butter combo without overpowering it.

• Quick & Easy: Ready in about 10 minutes.

• Gift-Ready: Portion into 5-ounce dome-lid cups or small cello bags with decorative ribbon for a neat, mess-free holiday gift.

• Customizable: A perfect base recipe for seasonal variations, such as Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day.

Ingredient - Here's What You'll Need

Simple Steps for Maximum Flavor

1. Prep: Line a rimmed half-sheet baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl.

2. Melt the Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine bittersweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, Nutella, butter, and salt. Microwave in 20-second increments at full power, stirring between each increment until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. This takes about a minute. Stir in vanilla.

3. Coat the Cereal: Pour the chocolate mixture over the Rice Chex. Gently fold the mixture with a spatula until it is evenly coated.

4. Shake with Powdered Sugar: Add half of the powdered sugar to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Pour in the coated cereal, then top with the remaining powdered sugar. Seal and shake until everything is well coated.

5. Cool: Spread the Puppy Chow on the parchment-lined baking sheet to cool completely.

6. Too Much Sugar? Transfer the cooled Puppy Chow to a wire mesh colander and shake gently to remove excess powdered sugar.

7. Gift Package or Store: Use 5-ounce domed plastic cups with a cupcake liner insert and decorative ribbon for holiday gifting. For snacking, store in an airtight container.

Small-Batch Nutella Puppy Chow is proof that even the simplest recipes can be elevated with a bit of creativity. By adding Nutella and scaling it down to a manageable size, you get a snack mix that's rich, chocolatey, perfectly portioned, and endlessly giftable.

Whether you make it for yourself, package it for friends, or tuck it into a holiday basket, this recipe will become a go-to in your edible gift repertoire. Yum!

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Success and Serving Suggestions

• Microwave Smart: If your microwave has a 1200-watt power, use 70% power for 20-second bursts. Always stir after each interval.

• Mess Control: Both the powdered sugar and the coated cereal can be messy. To control the mess, I use a hybrid method: half the sugar is in the Ziploc bag, the coated cereal is in the middle, and the rest of the sugar is on top. This results in an even coating with less mess.

• Cooling Matters: Let the Puppy Chow cool 30-45 minutes before sealing in containers to prevent condensation.

• Excess Powdered Sugar: Invariably, I end up adding too much powdered sugar to the chocolate-coated cereal. Once the Puppy Chow is cooled, I transfer it to a colander and shake to remove the excess sugar.

• Holiday Gifting: Puppy Chow makes thoughtful and delicious gifts for the holidays. I like to use 5-ounce dome-lid plastic cups with a cupcake liner, clear polypropylene bags, or mason jars. For Halloween, use black and orange ribbon. For Christmas, add red and green M&Ms and red and green ribbon. For Valentine's Day, add pink and red sprinkles, as well as pink and red ribbon.

• Everyday Snacks: Serve in small bowls for movie night, game day, or after-school treats.

Other Edible Gifts

As the holidays approach, consider giving edible gifts to your family, friends, and coworkers. Here are some ideas.

Recipe