Oh my gosh, you guys—I’ve been obsessed with S’mores Puppy Chow ever since I first made it for a sleepover years ago! It combines everything magical about camping trips (hello, graham crackers and melty chocolate!) with that addictive, crunchy-sweet goodness of classic puppy chow. The best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes—no campfire required. Seriously, between the mini marshmallows and that powdered sugar dusting, this stuff disappears faster than you can say “more, please!” Trust me, once you try this no-bake wonder, you’ll be making excuses to whip up another batch all summer long.
Why You’ll Love This S’mores Puppy Chow
This isn’t just another snack—it’s pure nostalgia in a bowl! Here’s why you’ll be making this on repeat:
- No oven needed: Just microwave, mix, and shake—done before the kids start begging for samples.
- Instant crowd-pleaser: Bring it to potlucks and watch it vanish faster than the main dish.
- Campfire vibes, zero effort: All the cozy s’mores flavors (hello, melty chocolate and toasty graham crackers!) without the sticky fingers.
- Crunch-tastic texture: That powdered sugar coating? Absolute *chef’s kiss* against the crispy cereal and squishy marshmallows.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this—it’s my emergency “need something sweet STAT” lifesaver.
Ingredients for S’mores Puppy Chow
Okay, confession time—I’ve tried shortcuts with this recipe (who hasn’t?), but these exact ingredients make ALL the difference between “meh” and “OMG need another handful!” Here’s your shopping list:
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal: The light, crispy base that holds all that chocolatey goodness (corn Chex works in a pinch, but trust me—rice has the perfect crunch).
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: My grandma swore by Ghirardelli, but any quality brand will do—just don’t skimp!
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: The secret glue that makes everything stick together beautifully. Jif or Skippy work best for that smooth texture.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter: Melted gently—this adds richness without making things too salty.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure, not imitation! That tiny splash makes the chocolate sing.
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: The snowy magic that transforms sticky clusters into addictive bites.
- 1 cup mini marshmallows: Fresh is fine, but slightly stale ones give the BEST chewy-crunchy contrast.
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs: Crush them yourself for rustic texture, or grab pre-crumbled for speed.
Pro tip: Measure everything before starting—once that chocolate melts, things move fast!
How to Make S’mores Puppy Chow (No Stress, Just Yum)
Okay, grab your favorite mixing bowl—we’re diving in! I’ve made this enough times that I could probably do it in my sleep, but here’s the foolproof method I swear by:
- The cereal base: Dump those 6 cups of Rice Chex into your largest bowl (seriously, go bigger than you think—things get messy!).
- Melting magic: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each until silky smooth. (Watch closely—burnt chocolate is tragic!)
- Flavor boost: Stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract. It’ll smell like dessert heaven already!
- Coating ceremony: Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold until every piece gets glossy. Don’t stir too hard—we want whole clusters, not crumbs!
- Snowstorm time: Transfer everything to a gallon-sized resealable bag (or two if needed). Add powdered sugar, seal tightly, and shake-shake-shake like you’re making maracas! The sugar should coat everything evenly.
- Cool down: Spread the coated cereal on a baking sheet in a single layer. Let it hang out for 15-20 minutes—this prevents marshmallows from melting when you add them.
- Grand finale: Toss in mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs. I use my hands to mix because it’s more fun (and ensures even distribution!).
See? Easier than assembling actual s’mores by a campfire! Now try not to eat it all straight from the pan… I dare you.
Tips for Perfect S’mores Puppy Chow
Listen, I’ve learned some hard lessons through trial and error (like that time I used fresh marshmallows and ended up with a sticky mess). Here’s how to nail it every time:
- Stale marshmallows FTW: Leave your mini marshmallows uncovered overnight—they’ll hold their shape better and give that perfect chewy-crunchy contrast.
- Powdered sugar control: Start with 1 cup, shake, then add more to taste. Too much? Your fingers will look like you’ve been handling snowballs!
- The airtight rule: Store in a container with the lid clicked shut—humidity is the enemy of that glorious crunch. Mason jars work great for gifting!
Bonus trick: If your kitchen’s warm, pop the finished mix in the fridge for 10 minutes before adding marshmallows. Works like a charm!
Fun Twists on S’mores Puppy Chow
Half the fun of this recipe is playing mad scientist with flavors! Here are my favorite ways to mix things up when I’m feeling adventurous:
- Dark chocolate dreams: Swap semi-sweet chips for 70% dark chocolate—it cuts the sweetness just enough for grown-up tastes (though my kids still devour it).
- Birthday party vibes: Toss in rainbow sprinkles with the graham crumbs—instant confetti crunch that makes any day feel festive.
- Nutty alternatives: Almond butter gives a sophisticated twist, while sunflower seed butter keeps it allergy-friendly (just add a pinch of salt to balance the flavor).
Last summer, I even tried crumbling in freeze-dried strawberries—trust me, that tart pop takes it next-level!
Serving and Storing S’mores Puppy Chow
Here’s the best part—this stuff is just as fun to serve as it is to make! For parties, I love scooping it into little paper cups so guests can munch easily (no double-dipping worries). A big glass jar with a cute spoon turns it into the ultimate self-serve snack station—just watch how fast the level drops!
Storage is a breeze too. Toss it in any airtight container (I’m partial to my grandma’s old cookie tins for nostalgia points) and it’ll stay crispy for up to a week. Pro tip: Keep it in the pantry, not the fridge—that powdered sugar coating hates humidity. If by some miracle you have leftovers after a few days, just give the container a gentle shake to redistribute all that chocolatey, marshmallowy goodness!
S’mores Puppy Chow Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real—this isn’t health food, but everything in moderation, right? Here’s the scoop (per generous 1-cup serving) so you can snack guilt-free:
- Calories: Around 250 (but who’s counting when it’s this delicious?)
- Fat: 12g (mostly from the good stuff—peanut butter and chocolate!)
- Carbs: 32g (blame the graham crackers and marshmallows for that sweet rush)
- Protein: 4g (thank you, peanut butter!)
These numbers are estimates—actual amounts might vary depending on how heavy-handed you are with the powdered sugar (no judgment here!). My philosophy? A little indulgence is part of life’s joy, especially when it tastes like childhood memories in every bite.
FAQs About S’mores Puppy Chow
I get asked these questions ALL the time—so let’s tackle the big ones before you dive in!
- Can I swap the Rice Chex? Technically yes (corn Chex or Crispix work), but rice cereal’s lightness keeps that perfect crunch-to-coating ratio. Puffed rice? Too fragile. Trust me on this—I’ve tested them all!
- How long will it stay fresh? About a week in an airtight container—if it lasts that long! The graham crumbs might soften after day 3, but a quick 10-minute bake at 250°F revives the crunch.
- Nut-free options? Absolutely! Sunflower seed butter mimics peanut butter’s texture beautifully. For school-safe versions, I sometimes use melted marshmallow fluff as the binder instead—just reduce the powdered sugar.
Bonus tip: If your climate’s humid, toss in a silica packet from snack packaging to prevent stickiness. Works like a charm!
Enjoy Your S’mores Puppy Chow
Go ahead—make a double batch, because this stuff is downright dangerous! I still remember my neighbor’s face when I brought her a jar last summer—she called it “campfire crack” and begged for the recipe. Snap a pic of your masterpiece (or what’s left of it!) and tag me. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen adventures turn out as delicious as mine!
Print
Irresistible S’mores Puppy Chow Recipe in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A sweet and crunchy snack combining the flavors of s’mores with the addictiveness of puppy chow.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Place Rice Chex cereal in a large bowl.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently mix until evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to a large resealable bag.
- Add powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake until well coated.
- Spread the mixture on a baking sheet to cool.
- Once cooled, mix in mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use slightly stale marshmallows.
- Adjust powdered sugar for desired sweetness.
- Store in a cool, dry place for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: s'mores, puppy chow, snack, no-bake, dessert