This easy recipe for Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow is packed full of sweet and minty chocolate candy, plus the crispy chocolate coated chex that puppy chow snack mix is known for.
We are about to take your favorite sweet snack to a whole new level! It’s Puppy Chow, except the Chex is coated with melted Andes chocolates and chocolate pudding powder instead of the usual powdered sugar.
Then we’ll mix the Chex with a variety of minty candies, like Junior Mints and mini York Peppermint Patties. This muddy buddies snack mix is a mint chocolate lovers dream come true!
Be sure to visit my recipe for the traditional chocolate and peanut butter Puppy Chow, or see how I mix it up with popcorn and candy to make Movie Theatre Puppy Chow. Yum!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Clean Up– This whole delicious mix comes together with two mixing bowls and a spatula. I love dessert recipes that don’t require loads of dishes to do after I’m done cooking!
- Mint + Chocolate – If you love these two flavors together, then you are in the right place. This puppy chow is so full of minty chocolate, that I’m not sure that I could add any more. It’s the ultimate mint chocolate snack mix. If you’re looking for a different type of minty dessert, try my Mint Chocolate Lasagna recipe too.
- Make it for an Occasion– Mint is tasty at Christmas time or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients In Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow
Here’s what you need to make this minty snack mix:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Rice Chex: This light and crisp cereal is perfect for soaking up the mint chocolate and staying crispy while doing it.
- Andes Mints: To make the coating you’ll need a standard size package of the Andes Creme de Menthe thins. Andes thins come in a few different flavors now, so be sure to pick up the right ones! I had a handful of mint cookie crunch ones leftover from another recipe, so I added those into the mix too.
- Chocolate Instant Pudding: Pudding mix is quickly becoming one of my favorite dessert ingredients! We’re using just the powder in this recipe to coat the Chex. It takes the place of the powdered sugar used in the traditional recipe.
- Chocolate Mint Candy: Pick up a box of Junior Mints and a bag of York Peppermint Patties – the unwrapped mini’s are perfect here.
How To Make Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow
- Get Ready: Add the Chex to a large mixing bowl, and unwrap the Andes mints.
- Melt the Andes: Use the microwave to melt the candy in a microwaveable bowl. Start with 45 seconds, then stir and microwave again for 30 seconds. If you need to, give it another 15 seconds, or until the candy is smooth and melted.
- Coat the Chex: Pour the melted chocolate over the Chex, and stir with a rubber spatula to coat. Wait about 5 minutes, then sprinkle on the pudding powder mix and mix more until all of the Chex are coated.
- Add the Candy: Toss in the Junior Mints, Mini Peppermint Patties, and any extra Andes Thins if you have them. Stir to combine.
Tip!
The light texture of Rice Chex is perfect for puppy chow, but you can also use Corn Chex, Crispix, or another crispy cereal that you enjoy to make this recipe.
Recipe Tips
- For a less minty chocolate coating, use 10 ounces of dark chocolate candy melts instead of the Andes mints.
- Look for York Unwrapped Minis in a resealable bag in the candy aisle, they come in a 7.6 ounce package. If you can’t find them, you can use an 8-ounce package of regular peppermint patties, just cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- If any of these candies are hard to find or not your favorite, just leave them out. You can replace them with a handful of M&Ms or other chocolates if you like.
Storing Tips
Store this chocolate mint puppy chow in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
You can also freeze this in a tightly sealed bag for up to 3 months.
FAQs
I think I mentioned earlier that I am not sure that I could possibly add any more minty goodness to this recipe. But, I did think about how tasty some Mint Oreos or Thin Mint Cookies would be! I’ll have to try that next time I make this.
I suggest letting the melted chocolate cool a bit on the Chex before adding the powder. This gives the chocolate a chance to harden up quicker than if you weighed it down with the powder right away. Slow hardening chocolate can make the cereal soft.
The strange name for this snack comes from its appearance. Someone must have decided that it looked a bit like dog food at one point in history. You might also hear this snack referred to as “muddy buddies”, “monkey munch”, or “reindeer chow”.
Make this chocolate mint puppy chow for the mint fans in your life. It makes a great gift or a snack to share. Pin it for more people to enjoy too!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Mint Chocolate Puppy Chow
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 9.5 ounces Andes Mints see note 1
- 2 3.4oz. boxes instant chocolate pudding mix unprepared
- 3.5 ounces Junior Mints A theatre sized box
- 7.6 ounces Unwrapped Minis York Peppermint Patties see note 2
- Extra Andes Mints optional
Instructions
- Add the Rice Chex to a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the unwrapped Andes mints, and microwave for 45 seconds. Stir, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds and stir again. If the chocoalte isn't fully melted, microwave again for 15 seconds.
- Pour the melted chocolate candy over the Chex and gently stir to coat. Then sprinkle on the chocolate pudding powder and toss until each piece of cereal is well coated.
- Add in the candy (make sure it's unwrapped), including a few extra Andes Mints if you like, and toss to combine.
Notes:
- For a less minty chocolate coating, use 10 ounces of dark chocolate candy melts instead of the Andes mints.
- Look for York Minis in a resealable bag in the candy aisle, they come in a 7-8 ounce package. If you can’t find them, you can use an 8-ounce package of regular peppermint patties, just cut them into bite sized pieces.
- If any of these candies are hard to find or not your favorite, just leave them out. You can replace them with a handful of M&Ms or other chocolates if you like.
- To Store: Keep in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Leave a Review!