Name: Halloween Muddy Buddies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 9 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 Halloween-colored M&Ms; 1/2 cup candy corn; 1/2 cup mini pretzels; 1/4 cup orange and black sprinkles (optional)

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If you’re searching for the ultimate party snack that’s crunchy, chocolatey, a little bit nostalgic, and absolutely on-theme for spooky season, look no further than Halloween Muddy Buddies! This snack mix takes classic muddy buddies (or “puppy chow”) and gives them a hauntingly colorful twist with festive candies and sprinkles. It’s dangerously addictive and perfect for sharing (or not!), guaranteeing smiles from both kids and adults every time you set it out. Whether you need an easy party treat or a sweet way to celebrate October nights at home, Halloween Muddy Buddies check every box for fun, flavor, and Halloween flair!

Halloween Muddy Buddies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All it takes are a handful of simple ingredients to create a batch of Halloween Muddy Buddies that’s both visually striking and impossibly delicious. Each ingredient is important: some bring crunch, others add creaminess or splashes of spooky color, and together they form an irresistible Halloween treat.

Rice Chex cereal: The crispy backbone of the mix, holding all the yummy coatings in each square bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty chocolate is the key to sweet, rich flavor—the perfect base for coating the cereal.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds a salty-sweet depth and creamy texture that clings to every piece.
Unsalted butter: Helps everything melt together into silky, dreamy goodness. Unsalted means you control the flavor and salt.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash brings in warmth and rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter combo.
Powdered sugar: This classic coating gives the “snow-dusted” muddy buddy look, and adds a light, sweet finish.
Halloween-colored M&Ms: Bright candies in orange, yellow, and purple add festive pops of color and chocolate crunch in every handful.
Candy corn: For an extra Halloween-y touch, these classic candies bring both color and a hint of chewy texture.
Mini pretzels: Salted crunch contrasts the sweetness and adds more texture interest to the mix.
Orange and black sprinkles (optional): These aren’t essential but they make every batch look even more playful and party-ready!

How to Make Halloween Muddy Buddies

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter

Start by combining the chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat this mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until everything is silky smooth and completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract for an extra boost of flavor—it’s such a small addition that makes a surprising difference!

Step 2: Coat the Chex Cereal

Place the Chex cereal in a big mixing bowl (the bigger the better, so you have plenty of room for tossing). Pour the warm, melty chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal. With a gentle hand and a big spatula, toss everything together—try to coat every bit of cereal evenly without smashing it. Take your time; it’s worth it for those chocolatey clumps!

Step 3: Shake with Powdered Sugar

Transfer the gooey cereal mixture into a large zip-top bag or a container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the powdered sugar, seal it up tight, and then (this is the fun part) shake, shake, shake until all the cereal pieces are coated and look wonderfully snowy. This step seals in the chocolatey coating and gives muddy buddies their signature touch.

Step 4: Cool and Add Mix-Ins

Spread the freshly coated Halloween Muddy Buddies across a large baking sheet or parchment-lined tray and let them cool for about 15 minutes. This helps everything set up and keeps the candies from melting the moment you add them. Once cooled, toss in the Halloween-colored M&Ms, candy corn, mini pretzels, and sprinkles. Gently mix to distribute all those fun extra bits throughout the batch.

How to Serve Halloween Muddy Buddies

Garnishes

A handful of extra sprinkles or a sprinkle of edible glitter goes a long way in making your bowl of muddy buddies look even more magical. For a super festive presentation, try tossing in some googly eye candies just before serving—kids especially will get a kick out of these playful touches!

Side Dishes

Halloween Muddy Buddies are definitely the star of a snack table, but they play well with others. Pair them with bowls of popcorn (sweet or savory), caramel apple slices, or even a chocolate fondue for dipping fruits and cookies alongside your muddy buddies.

Creative Ways to Present

Let your imagination run wild so guests will remember your snack mix! Try scooping individual portions into clear plastic treat bags tied with orange ribbon for edible party favors, or pile the muddy buddies high in a spooky cauldron for a fabulous centerpiece. Mini paper cups or cupcake liners also help portion the mix out neatly for party grab-and-go.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Halloween Muddy Buddies are a happy problem. Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay delightfully fresh and crisp for up to a week. Make sure the lid is snug so nothing gets stale or soggy.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze muddy buddies! Place the cooled mix (without the candies and pretzels, which can get chewy) in freezer-safe bags, squeeze out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2 months. Add fresh candies and pretzels after thawing to keep everything tasting its best.

Reheating

Halloween Muddy Buddies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you’ve frozen a batch, just let it thaw on the counter for 30 minutes before serving. There’s no need to reheat—just mix in your colorful candies and go.

FAQs

Can I make Halloween Muddy Buddies without peanut butter?

Absolutely! If you have peanut allergies or just aren’t a peanut butter fan, swap it out for creamy almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even Biscoff spread for a new twist that’s just as tasty.

Are Halloween Muddy Buddies gluten-free?

They can be! Just make sure to use gluten-free Chex cereal and gluten-free pretzels. Double-check your candy mix-ins too, and you’ve got a treat that everyone can enjoy.

What other mix-ins work for Halloween Muddy Buddies?

There are so many fun possibilities! Try adding googly eye candies, mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, or Reese’s Pieces for extra color and crunch. Tailor the mix to your crowd and theme.

How far in advance can I prepare this snack?

You can make Halloween Muddy Buddies up to a week ahead, as long as you store them in an airtight container. For freshest crunch and color, add candies the day you plan to serve.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely, and honestly, it’s hard not to want more! Just make sure you have a very large mixing bowl and maybe shake your muddy buddies in batches for even coating. Perfect for parties, classrooms, or edible gifts.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing more fun than whipping up a batch of Halloween Muddy Buddies—especially knowing how much joy it brings to any gathering. Whether you make them with kids, serve them at your spooky bash, or sneak handfuls during a scary movie marathon, this recipe guarantees pure festive delight. Give them a try and watch your snack table disappear in a flash!

Halloween Muddy Buddies Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Halloween Muddy Buddies are a deliciously addictive snack mix perfect for festive occasions like Halloween parties or as a fun treat. Crunchy Chex cereal coated in a mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, then tossed with colorful candies and pretzels, these muddy buddies are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

9 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

Additional Mix-Ins:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup Halloween-colored M&Ms
1/2 cup candy corn
1/2 cup mini pretzels
1/4 cup orange and black sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
Coat Cereal: Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir to coat evenly. Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag or container with a lid. Add the powdered sugar, seal, and shake until all pieces are coated.
Cool and Add Mix-Ins: Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet to cool and dry for 15 minutes. Once cooled, mix in the Halloween M&Ms, candy corn, pretzels, and sprinkles. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.