Salted Caramel Puppy Chow Snack Mix

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jun 17, 2026

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I am completely addicted to this Salted Caramel Puppy Chow. I’ve taken Chex corn cereal and combined it with creamy caramel, milk chocolate, and powdered sugar. Also known as Muddy Buddies, this snack is sweet, crunchy, and easy to pull together. It always disappears faster than it takes me to prepare it.

The Best Puppy Chow Recipe

I’m a huge fan of puppy chow, as my mom used to make it all the time when I was growing up. She used to make traditional puppy chow, but I decided to switch it up and make this salted caramel version. I take Corn Chex cereal and coat it in caramel syrup and melted chocolate chips, and then douse it with a generous amount of powdered sugar. The taste is absolutely incredible; I can almost devour a whole batch myself, but I am learning to share. This is seriously one of the easiest and quickest treats I make for the holidays, though it’s perfect for movie night, game night, or whenever the craving hits.

Tips for Beginners

• Do not overcook the microwaved ingredients. The chocolate and caramel mixture only needs to be warmed enough to melt smoothly together. If it gets too hot, the chocolate can seize, the caramel can become scorched, and the flavor and texture of the puppy chow won’t turn out as intended. Heat in short intervals, stirring well between each one, until everything is just melted and combined.
• Mix gently. Once you’ve added the caramel and chocolate mixture, use a light hand when stirring the Chex cereal so the pieces stay intact. Stirring too aggressively can crush the cereal and turn it into smaller crumbs instead of those delicious crunchy clusters.
• Swap the corn Chex. I prefer the taste and texture of Corn Chex, but you could use Rice Chex or Crispix cereal as well.

Recipe Card

Salted Caramel Puppy Chow Snack Mix

Difficulty: Easy

4.56 from 18 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Author: Becky Hardin

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If you're a fan of puppy chow snack mix, you're going to love this flavor combo: Chex cereal topped with caramel, chocolate, and powdered sugar.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 oz. milk chocolate chips 227g, semi-sweet or dark also work
• ▢ 11.5 oz. Smuckers Simple Delights Salted Caramel Ice Cream Topping 326g (1 jar), syrups, and other versions work well too
• ▢ 18 oz. corn Chex cereal 510g (1 box)
• ▢ 1-2 cups powdered sugar 113-226g
• ▢ ½ cup Toll House DelightFulls Milk Chocolate Morsels with Caramel Filling 84g, optional, chocolate chips, caramel baking chips, or Rolos also work

Video

Instructions 

• Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Set aside.
  8 oz. milk chocolate chips
• Melt the caramel topping for 45-60 seconds in the microwave. Combine with the chocolate.
  11.5 oz. Smuckers Simple Delights Salted Caramel Ice Cream Topping
• In a large bowl, pour caramel chocolate mixture over cereal and stir until all of the cereal is coated in the mixture.
  18 oz. corn Chex cereal
• Place the cereal into 2 large Ziplock bags. Pour half of the powdered sugar into each bag and seal the bags. Toss the cereal in the powdered sugar until fully coated. Pour the coated cereal into a large bowl and stir in the Delightfulls chips, if using.
  1-2 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup Toll House DelightFulls Milk Chocolate Morsels with Caramel Filling

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)

Becky’s Tips

• Be careful not to overcook the microwaved ingredients.
• Mix the Chex gently when you add the caramel and chocolate.  
• Swap the corn Chex for rice Chex or Crispix.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 697kcalCarbohydrates: 149gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 841mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 4gSugar: 83gVitamin A: 2816IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 330mgIron: 22mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Store

I like to store puppy chow in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for up to 1 week, though it never actually lasts that long in my house. In the fridge, it will keep for 2 weeks.

Freeze

This salted caramel puppy chow will also keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter until it is soft enough to eat.

Serving Suggestions

This salted caramel puppy chow lends itself well to my holiday dessert buffet, and I love that it is quick and easy to make so I can focus on preparing a few other things. For variety, I’ll pull together a few other favorites like this sweet and salty rocky road fudge, these soft and chewy hermit cookies, and this festive peppermint bark. This recipe makes a smallish batch, so if I’m expecting a big crowd, I’ll make twice as much, as I know it is going to disappear quickly.

More Snack Mix Recipes to Try

• Reindeer Food Snack Mix comes together with peanut butter cups, pretzels, peanuts, white chocolate chips, and Christmas M&M’s.
• This Sweet and Salty Hot Buttered Cheerios Snack Mix is made with toasted Cheerios, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• Homemade Gardetto’s Snack Mix is a savory, crunchy blend of mini pretzels, rye chips, and cereal that I toss in a flavorful seasoning.

more holiday treats

Chocolate Cream Pie

Gingerbread House White Chocolate Bark Recipe (Christmas Bark)

Gooey Butter Cookies

Chocolate Mint Cookies Recipe (Creme de Menthe Thumbprint Cookies)