This 4th of July puppy chow brings together two party snack favorites in one bowl. Half is classic chocolate peanut butter muddy buddies coated in powdered sugar, while the other half gets a colorful white chocolate twist with patriotic sprinkles and crunchy candy pieces.

Close-up of a snack mix with Chex cereal, powdered sugar, red, white, and blue M&Ms, and red and blue sprinkles.

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Skill Level: Beginner
Flavor Remix: Add mini pretzels (gluten-free, if needed) for a sweet and salty snack mix
Allergy Watch: Gluten-Free when using Rice Chex, No Eggs, Nut Free option

This patriotic puppy chow is one of those recipes that disappears faster than the sparklers burn down. Compared to traditional muddy buddies, this version feels a little more festive and playful thanks to the crunchy sprinkles and candy coating. It is perfect for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day parties, or any summer gathering where you need a quick no bake dessert snack that feeds a crowd.

During testing, melting the chocolate low and slow in short microwave bursts made the biggest difference. Overheated chocolate turns grainy fast, especially white chocolate, so patience pays off here. Keeping the chocolate and white chocolate mixtures separate gives you two distinct flavors instead of one blended coating.

Pair with my angel food cake and gluten free cherry bars for the perfect summer spread.

Ingredient Notes

Cereal: I prefer Rice Chex cereal because it doesn't have much of a flavor. Corn Chex is also an option and is also gluten free.
White Melting Chocolate: You can substitute white chocolate chips but need to add a little vegetable or coconut oil to smooth out the chocolate.
Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter or omit to keep this recipe peanut free.
Candy: I used seasonal M&Ms but you can pick out the red and blue ones and save the rest from a regular bag.

Bowls of Rice Chex cereal, chocolate chips, white melting chocolate, peanut butter, sprinkles, M&Ms, butter, and a bag of powdered sugar arranged on a white surface with labels.

How to Make Patriotic Puppy Chow

A step-by-step visual guide for making red, white, and blue muddy buddies You can skip to the recipe for the full written instructions. This muddy buddy recipe comes together quickly, but organizing the ingredients before melting the chocolate makes the process much smoother.

Two side-by-side images show Chex cereal in a bowl with chocolate being mixed in, and the coated cereal being combined with powdered sugar in a plastic bag.

Melt the Chocolate Chips

Stirring often and heating in short bursts will keep the chocolate silky smooth. It won't look like enough chocolate at first. Gently fold the chocolate into the cereal.

A resealable plastic bag with powdered snack mix on the left; on the right, the coated snack pieces are spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Coat with Powdered Sugar

Folding down the top of the bag makes it easier to add the coated cereal. Close and gently shake while the chocolate is still warm so the sugar sticks.

A white bowl filled with square cereal pieces, topped with melted white chocolate or yogurt, sits on a light-colored surface.

Repeat with the White Chocolate

After coating the cereal in white chocolate, spread it onto the parchment-lined baking sheet immediately. Adding the sprinkles and candies while the coating is still wet helps everything stick instead of sliding off later.

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds a mix of Chex cereal, powdered sugar, red, white, and blue candies, and colorful sprinkles.

Cool

Cool each set of candies before combining. This should only take about 20 minutes!

Jen's Recipe Notes

Stir more than you think you need to, chocolate often looks unmelted even when residual heat can finish the job. Extra stirring prevents overheating
Add toppings immediately, sprinkles and candies stick best while the white chocolate coating is still glossy and wet.
Break up clusters gently, once the mixture sets, use clean hands to separate large chunks while keeping some clusters for texture.

A bowl of snack mix with Chex cereal, red and blue candy-coated chocolates, star-shaped candies, and sprinkles, set on a red checkered cloth.

Make Ahead and Storing

Make Ahead: Can be made up to 2 days in advance for the best texture.

Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The refrigerator can make muddy buddies chewy instead of crisp.

Freezing: You can freeze it for short periods of time and eat it straight from the freezer.

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