Peppermint mocha puppy chow is a delicious snack mix of chex cereal coated in peppermint chocolate and coffee coated in hot chocolate mix.
This peppermint mocha puppy chow (aka peppermint mocha muddy buddies!) is on of our favorite version of puppy chow to whip up during the holidays. We like to make these with Grinch truffles and peppermint truffles.
Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow
Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow
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Why you’ll love this!
📌 The mint, mocha and chocolate flavors go together perfectly!
📌 These are great for bake sales or holiday gifts.
📌 The best grab and go holiday snack!
Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow Ingredients
- Cereal – Chex cereal, rice or corn are our favorite options for this recipe.
- Chocolate – Mint chocolate baking chips (or chocolate chips and peppermint extract.)
- Coffee – Decaf instant coffee, dissolved in water.
- Hot chocolate – Packets of your favorite hot cocoa.
- Optional – Marshmallows and crushed candy canes.
How do you make peppermint mocha muddy buddies? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, melt the mint chocolate baking chips in a microwave safe bowl in increments, stirring until melted and smooth. Mix in the dissolved decaf instant coffee until well mixed.
⭐ Next, pour the cereal into the melted chocolate and coffee mixture and stir until the cereal is completely coated in the chocolate mixture.
⭐ Then, pour the packets of hot chocolate powder into a Ziploc bag and pour the chocolate/coffee coated cereal into the bag as well.
⭐ Last, shake and mix the bag until the cereal is coated in the hot chocolate powder. Break up any large chunks and shake until everything is coated well.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make peppermint mocha puppy chow ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe will stay fresh if kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
What if I can’t find peppermint chocolate baking chips?
You can also use chocolate chips melted with 1-2 Tbsp of peppermint extract, depending how strong you’d like the peppermint flavor to be.
What is the best way to melt chocolate?
We like to microwave chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring each time until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Make sure not to over-microwave or the chocolate will seize up and there is no saving it at that point!
Storage and leftovers
How long does peppermint mocha puppy chow last?
Store puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. We don’t recommend storing these in the fridge.
Can I freeze peppermint mocha puppy chow?
Yep! Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When fully defrosted you will probably want to dust them with a little extra hot chocolate mix to bring them back to their former glory.
Tips and tricks
✅ Keep shaking the bag a few minutes after it seems like everything is covered, sometimes you can use up even more of that delicious hot chocolate mix.
✅ Make sure to use decaf instant coffee if you plan to share this with the kids! If they’re like my kids, we don’t need to give them any extra energy!
✅ Add mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes to the powder mix for added flavor and fun!
Frequently asked questions
Is puppy chow a midwest thing?
I believe it is! This Florida girl had never heard of puppy chow or muddy buddies until my midwestern raised mother in law served it one Christmas. Now it’s a staple in our house.
How many cups of cereal are there in a box of Chex cereal?
A 12 ounce box of Chex contains roughly 11 cups of cereal.
Is hot chocolate puppy chow safe for dogs?
NO! Please do not feed this to your animals, it is meant for human consumption only.
What to enjoy with peppermint mocha puppy chow (serving suggestions)
We love this spin on our original puppy chow recipe. Peppermint mocha puppy chow goes perfectly with Grinch hot chocolate, peppermint fluff, and Christmas bark!
More delicious puppy chow and chex mix recipes
- Puppy chow
- Mint chocolate muddy buddies
- Crock pot chex mix
- Hot cocoa muddy buddies
- Parmesan garlic chex mix
- Reindeer chow
Other peppermint recipes to try
- Chocolate peppermint cookies
- Peppermint truffles
- Peppermint mocha
- Peppermint brownies
- Sugar cookie peppermint sticks
- Peppermint fluff
- Peppermint meltaways
- See all our minty recipes!
Tools we love
- Glass Mixing Bowl – Perfect for melting chocolate in the microwave or as a double boiler. (I’m partial to the microwave).
- Gallon Bags – These work well for shaking all the ingredients together without making a big powdery mess.
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How to Make Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow
Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 12 ounce box of Chex cereal
- 12 ounce bag of mint baking chips OR 12 oz bag of chocolate chips + 1 - 2 TBS peppermint extract
- 2 heaping tablespoons decaf instant coffee dissolved into a small amount of hot water
- 2 cups hot cocoa powder mix approximately 10 individual packets
- optional: marshmallows/smashed candy canes or peppermint candies
Instructions
- In a large microwave safe bowl, melt mint chips (use 20 second increments and stir between heat cycles). Stir in dissolved coffee until well combined.
- Pour cereal into bowl and use a spatula to stir until everything is coated with chocolate (this will seem impossible at first, but it does eventually work!)
- Pour 1 cup hot cocoa powder into a gallon ziploc bag, then pour the chocolate coated cereal, then the remaining 1 cup of hot cocoa powder
- Shake the bag until everything is coated. Add marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces to bag and toss to combine. Store in a sealed container in a cool dry place.
Notes
Nutrition
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Peppermint Mocha Puppy Chow
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Gina says
I could snack on this ALL DAY – so delish!!!
Beth says
Puppy chow is one of my all-time favorite sweet treats, and I love this wintertime twist on the classic.
Amanda says
The flavor combination here is spectacular! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sandruh says
My kids loved it! Need to make them soon even the Holidays are over!
Erin says
One of my favorite! No doubt, this is really fantastic!
Catalina says
I tried this peppermint mocha puppy chow, and it’s a holiday delight! The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the festive twist makes it so much fun!