There’s nothing quite like the mix of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy cereal that makes this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe so addictive. It’s festive, sweet, and endlessly snackable—perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights by the fire.

A large white bowl is filled with many small square cereal pieces coated in white powder, making the texture look soft and snowy. Scattered on and around these cereal pieces are shiny red and green round candies with a glossy, smooth surface. Next to the bowl is a smaller white bowl also filled with the same red and green round candies. A small light wooden scoop holds some candies in the bottom right corner. The setup sits on a brown wooden table with visible grain, next to a green cloth with white polka dots that is wrinkled and folded. A few candies are scattered loosely on the table around the bowls photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made my share of holiday snacks, but this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe stands out because it’s so simple to put together yet tastes like something much fancier. It brings that nostalgic, kid-at-the-holiday-table feeling, but with grown-up flair from buttery chocolate and peanut butter.

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes, so you spend more time enjoying and less time prepping.
Perfectly Sweet and Salty: The balance of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy Chex makes every bite irresistible.
Customizable Festive Touch: Adding holiday M&M’s gives a colorful pop, making this treat party-ready.
Great for Gifting or Sharing: Easy to batch, bag, and gift as homemade holiday joy.

A large white bowl filled with small square-shaped cereal pieces dusted with white powdered sugar, scattered with bright red and green candy-coated chocolates on top. To the right side, there is a small white bowl holding dark brown chocolate chips with a small wooden scoop resting inside. The background surface is a white marbled texture with hints of wood peeking through. The image has a close-up view showing the crunchy texture of the cereal pieces and the smooth glossy finish of the candies photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe plays a key role in the texture and flavor combo that keeps you coming back for more. Here’s what I use and why it’s important to pick good quality where you can.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of glossy semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl filled with crunchy rice Chex cereal, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white confectioners sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of colorful holiday M&M’s, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged with balanced spacing and symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Provides that lovely smooth, melty chocolate coating that isn’t overpoweringly sweet.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds richness and depth; I always use a natural creamy variety for the best flavor.
Butter: Helps the chocolate and peanut butter melt together smoothly, giving a silky texture to the coating.
Vanilla extract: Such a small amount but it boosts the flavor profile and gives a nice warmth.
Rice Chex cereal: The classic crunchy base that holds the coating and offers a great bite without breaking easily.
Confectioners sugar: Gives the iconic “powdered” look and adds sweetness with a gentle dusting effect.
Holiday M&M’s: A festive addition that adds color and a chocolate crunch. I swap these out with any seasonal candies you like!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of fun tweaks—some sweeter, some a bit nutty—and each time it feels like a new festive treat.

Variation: One time I swapped out the holiday M&M’s for crushed peppermint candy canes – the minty crunch was a surprising hit with my family!
Dietary Mod: For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and skip the typical M&M’s or find allergy-friendly candy.
Adding Texture: I sometimes toss in chopped nuts or mini marshmallows for a little extra zing.
Extra Chocolate: Double the chocolate chips if you really want a decadent Christmas Puppy Chow.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Step 1: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter mix

Pop your semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and butter into a large microwave-safe bowl. I heat mine in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one until everything is silky and smooth. Be patient here—the stirring is key to avoid burning and get that perfect glossy mix. Then stir in the vanilla for a warm aromatic note.

Step 2: Coat the Chex cereal

Gently add the Rice Chex cereal to the bowl and carefully toss everything together. I find using a silicone spatula helps fold the cereal without crushing it. The goal is an even chocolate-peanut butter coating on every piece, so take your time.

Step 3: Sugarcoat the Puppy Chow

Transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, add the confectioners sugar, seal, and shake gently but thoroughly. This step gives you that iconic powdery look. You might want to do this in batches if your bag isn’t huge, to coat everything evenly without making a mess.

Step 4: Add festive M&M’s and serve

Pour the coated cereal into a serving bowl and toss in those colorful holiday M&M’s. I love how the reds and greens bring the Christmas spirit right to the snack table. Now it’s ready to wow your guests—or just keep you company on a cozy evening!

Top Tip

After making Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe numerous times, I’ve discovered a few secrets for perfect results every time. These simple tweaks make all the difference and save you from common hiccups.

Melting Patience: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter slowly in short bursts to avoid scorching; stirring often helps the mix come together smoothly.
Gentle Tossing: Toss the cereal carefully to keep the pieces intact and prevent a powdery puddle in the bag.
Bag Shaking Technique: If your confectioners sugar clumps or the coating looks patchy, use your hands to massage the bag gently while shaking for an even finish.
Cool Completely: Let your Puppy Chow cool before serving or storing—warm mix can clump and get sticky.

How to Serve Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Christmas Puppy Chow - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling some extra mini chocolate chips or more holiday M&M’s on top before serving—they add visual appeal and a little extra crunch. You could also dust with a touch more confectioners sugar right before guests arrive for a fresh snowy look.

Side Dishes

Because Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe is sweet and snacky, I often serve it alongside warm beverages like hot cocoa or mulled cider. It also pairs wonderfully with savory appetizers like cheese platters or spiced nuts to balance the flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

I enjoy filling clear glass jars with Puppy Chow tied with festive ribbons as edible gifts. For parties, setting it in colorful holiday bowls surrounded by candy canes and pine sprigs makes a charming centerpiece—plus it invites snacking all night!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep extra Puppy Chow in airtight containers at room temperature for up to five days. I find this keeps the coating crisp without getting too hard. When the weather’s warmer, I store mine in the fridge to maintain the perfect crunch and chilled bite.

Freezing

Although I haven't frozen Christmas Puppy Chow often, I've found it freezes well in a sealed container for about a month. Just thaw at room temperature before serving—it won't be quite as crisp, but still yummy.

Reheating

No reheating needed here! Just bring the Puppy Chow to room temperature if chilled or frozen. If it feels a little soft, a quick spread on a parchment-lined tray and a few minutes in a 250°F oven can help regain crunchiness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Using crunchy peanut butter will add texture, but because the nut pieces might not melt as smoothly, the coating may be a bit chunkier. I prefer creamy for that silky finish, but crunchy works if you like a little extra crunch!

Is this Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe safe for dogs?

No, this recipe is definitely for humans only. It contains chocolate and peanut butter, which can be harmful to dogs, so keep it out of reach of your furry friends.

Can I substitute the M&M's with other candies?

Absolutely! Holiday-themed candies like candy cane pieces, chocolate-covered cranberries, or even sprinkles make great alternatives. Just pick your favorite festive candy to make it your own.

How do I prevent the cereal from breaking during mixing?

Use a gentle folding motion with a spatula rather than stirring vigorously. Also, when shaking the bag with confectioners sugar, handle it gently to avoid crushing the Chex pieces.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe holds a warm spot in my holiday traditions because it’s one of those no-fuss recipes that still feels special. I always keep a batch handy for unexpected guests or quiet nights when I want something nostalgic and cozy. Give it a try—you might just find your new holiday staple!