Easter Puppy Chow Recipes: Fun & Festive Treats for the Holiday

Puppy Chow has been around forever, but it still feels new when you make it with bright Easter colors. This snack is sweet, crunchy, and super easy to toss together. You only need chex cereal, melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Then, to make it Easter, you just add pastel candy melts or jellybeans, sprinkle some cute shapes on top, and youre all set. It’s the kind of thing thats perfect for egg hunts, family brunches, or just munching on while you watch a movie.

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What is Puppy Chow?

Puppy Chow, or Monkey Munch as some folks calls it, is a no-bake snack made from chex cereal coated in a mix of melted chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla. Then you toss it in powdered sugar until every piece is white and sweet. It first showed up in the 1980s and became a hit at parties and sleepovers. Some people thinks its called puppy chow because it looks like dog food, but don’t worry—this stuff is all sweets.

The Appeal of Easter Puppy Chow

When Easter rolls around, everything gets pastel colors and bunnies. Puppy Chow is no differnt. You can dye the mix with candy melts in pink, blue, or yellow, then sprinkle on some Easter-themed things like jellybeans or mini candy eggs. Just seeing it on the table makes you feel happy, and its small bites are perfect for kids (and grown-ups who cant resist sweets).

Serve it in little baskets or plastic eggs, or in clear bags tied with ribbon. It looks great and nobody cares if it gets a bit messy.

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Ingredients for Easter Puppy Chow

Traditional Puppy Chow Ingredients

• Chex cereal: The base for crunch.
• Chocolate chips: Melts smooth.
• Peanut butter: Gives a nutty taste.
• Powdered sugar: Makes it all sweet and white.
• Vanilla extract: A little bit for extra flavor.

Easter-Specific Add-ins

• Candy melts: Get pastel pink, blue, or yellow.
• Sprinkles: Easter shapes or colors.
• Mini candy eggs or jellybeans: Classic Easter munchies.
• Marshmallow bunnies or chicks: Cute but optional.

Recommended Brands (optional)

Using brands like Jif or Skippy for the peanut butter and Ghirardelli or Nestle for chocolate chips can make it taste even better, but you dont have to.

Easter Puppy Chow Recipe Variations

Classic Easter Puppy Chow

• Ingredients:
  • 9 cups chex cereal
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Easter sprinkles or candy
• Directions:
  1. Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and vanilla till smooth. Dont burn it.
  2. Pour over cereal in a big bowl. Stir lightly so you dont smash the chex.
  3. Put coated cereal into a zip-top bag with powdered sugar. Shake it up till white.
  4. Dump it out, sprinkle on Easter stuff, and munch away.

Bunny Trail Mix Puppy Chow

• Ingredients:
  • Classic Easter Puppy Chow mix
  • Mini marshmallow bunnies
  • Pastel M&M's
• Directions:
  1. Make the Classic Easter Puppy Chow.
  2. Toss in marshmallow bunnies and M&M's after the sugar coating. Mix gently.

Fruit and Nut Easter Puppy Chow

• Ingredients:
  • Classic Puppy Chow mix
  • Dried cranberries
  • Chopped almonds or walnuts
• Directions:
  1. Follow the Classic recipe steps.
  2. Stir in cranberries and nuts at the end.

No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Easter Puppy Chow

• Ingredients:
  • Classic Puppy Chow mix
  • Shredded coconut
  • Extra dark chocolate drizzle
• Directions:
  1. Make the Classic Easter Puppy Chow.
  2. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle coconut on top.

Print-Friendly Recipe Card Section

Put this on one page, stick it to the fridge, and youll never forget the steps.

Tips for Making Perfect Puppy Chow

• Use fresh cereal and ingredients.
• Dont overcook the chocolate mix—it can burn.
• Shake in a bag for an even sugar coat, dont stir too hard.
• Store it in an airtight container so it stays crunchy.

Easter Puppy Chow Presentation Ideas

• Serve in pastel baskets or cups.
• Use clear jars or bowls so the colors pop.
• Wrap small amounts in cellophane with a ribbon.
• Mix with other Easter goodies for a candy station.

Nutritional Information

A serving is about a cup and it has roughly:

• Calories: 200–250
• Fat: 10–12g
• Carbs: 30–34g
• Sugar: 15–18g

It’s a treat, so dont eat the whole batch at once!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to store Easter Puppy Chow?

Keep it in an airtight container at room temp so it stays crunchy.

How long does Easter Puppy Chow last?

It can last up to two weeks if stored right.

Can I use other cereals?

Sure, but chex gives the best crunch and flavor.

What are some peanut butter alternatives?

Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even Nutella works.

Can I make it vegan or gluten-free?

Yes—just pick vegan chocolate, gluten-free cereal, and youre set.

Conclusion

Easter Puppy Chow is a fun twist on a classic snack. It’s quick, colorful, and everyone loves it. Try out different add-ins and share what you come up with. Happy snacking, and enjoy your Easter!

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easter puppy chow recipes

Easter Puppy Chow is a fun and colorful treat that combines crunchy cereal, melted chocolate, and powdered sugar, all decorated for the holiday with festive Easter candy. It’s easy to make and perfect for sharing during Easter celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 medium microwave-safe bowl
• 1 rubber spatula or spoon
• 1 baking sheet
• 1 parchment paper

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups rice cereal such as Rice Chex
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups Easter-themed candies such as M&M’s or chocolate eggs
• ½ cup pastel sprinkles optional

Instructions

 

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth (about 1-2 minutes).
• Stir in the vanilla extract to the melted mixture.
• In a large mixing bowl, pour the rice cereal and then pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently fold until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated.
• Add the powdered sugar gradually, stirring gently to coat the chocolate-covered cereal evenly.
• Once everything is well mixed, add the Easter-themed candies and sprinkles, folding them in carefully to avoid crushing the candies.
• Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer. Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes until set.
• Once cooled, break the puppy chow into pieces and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to customize with different types of chocolate or candy according to your preference.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, where it can last for about a week.