This quick and easy Protein Puppy Chow Recipe is just like the classic, but with a protein kick! A healthier treat the kids will love!

Things that confuse me in life:
- Why do the people on road signs (like “school zone†or whatever) NEVER have necks? WHY DO THEIR HEADS FLOAT?
- Why do deep dish paleo chocolate chip cookies have to be unhealthy and roasted broccoli has to be healthy? Eating buttery, sweet goodness > Eating mini trees.
- Do dogs think in English or in “dog speak?†Do their thoughts sound like “bark bark, yip yip?â€
Why you will LOVE This Recipe
What is life without tasty snacks, am I right?! If you’ve ever had puppy chow, then you are going to LOVE this healthy puppy chow snack recipe I have for you today. If you’re also into tasty protein snacks like healthy peanut butter balls or chai energy balls, this snackable sweet treat will be your new favorite! It has everything you LOVE about puppy chow, but uses better-for-you ingredients which is always a win. It also is SO easy to throw together for a fun and easy snack that the whole family will enjoy.
What is Puppy Chow?
You are going to go CRAZY over this healthy version of puppy chow. But what exactly IS puppy chow? Puppy chow is essentially and traditionally a cereal mixture that is coated in a mixture of chocolate, peanut butter and butter, then tossed in powdered sugar. It’s called “puppy chow†because it kind of resembles dog food, it just tastes much better!

Are Puppy Chow and Muddy Buddies the Same?
The two popular snack names are interchangeable! Some people like to call this snack muddy buddies, while others call it puppy chow. I’m team puppy chow!
What makes this Puppy Chow Healthier?
This puppy chow uses good-for-you ingredients, but doesn’t sacrifice on sweetness, flavor OR texture! I used semisweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate chips, natural peanut butter instead of processed, sweetened peanut butter, and coconut oil instead of butter! You can also use gluten free cereal mix if you choose to as well!
Healthy Puppy Chow Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to make this healthy puppy chow snack recipe:
- Semi sweet Chocolate Chips
- Natural Peanut Butter
- Honey
- Coconut Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Honey Nut Chex Cereal
- Vanilla Protein Powder

How to make Healthy Puppy Chow
Melt
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate, peanut butter, coconut oil and honey in small intervals. You will need to stop and stir it often.
Stir
Now it’s time to stir in the vanilla and the cereal mix until everything is well coated.
Shake
Place the protein powder into a large ziploc bag and add the cereal mixture. Shake the bag until all the pieces are evenly coated in the protein powder.
Serve
Pour the finished puppy chow into a bowl and enjoy. DEVOUR!
Recipe Variations
Make it Vegan: Go ahead and use vegan chocolate as well as vegan protein powder to make this recipe vegan friendly.
Make it Gluten Free: Use a gluten free chex or similar cereal mix instead of the regular type.
Protein Powder: Mix it up by using a different flavor of protein powder like chocolate or matcha.
Nut Butter: You could easily swap out peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter if you’d like! Any type of nut butter would be delicious when used in this recipe.
How to store Puppy Chow
This puppy chow can be stored at room temperature for up to one week! Simply place it in an airtight container once it has cooled COMPLETELY and seal it with the lid.


Ingredients
- 3 Oz Semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/4 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 Cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
- 2/3 Cup Vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- In alarge, microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate, peanut butter, honey and coconut oil. To do this I use 50% power and microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until everything is smooth and melted.
- Stir the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture, followed by the Chex cereal. Stir the cereal until each piece is well coated in chocolate.
- Place the protein powder into a large, zip-loc bag and then scoop the cereal into the bag. Seal the bag and shake around until the protein powder evenly coats the cereal.
- That's it! DEVOUR.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:

Ingredients
- 3 Oz Semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/4 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 Cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
- 2/3 Cup Vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate, peanut butter, honey and coconut oil. To do this I use 50% power and microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until everything is smooth and melted.
- Stir the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture, followed by the Chex cereal. Stir the cereal until each piece is well coated in chocolate.
- Place the protein powder into a large, zip-loc bag and then scoop the cereal into the bag. Seal the bag and shake around until the protein powder evenly coats the cereal.
- That’s it! DEVOUR.
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAG @FOODFAITHFIT AND #FOODFAITHFITNESS ON INSTRAGRAM! I LOVE SEEING YOUR RECIPE RECREATIONS! 🙂
Want more protein-packed snack-age?

Paleo Almond Butter Homemade Protein Bars


Healthy Almond Joy “Cheesecake”

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[email protected] says
I love puppy chow!!! Such a delicious and addicting treat! Plus yours with protein and healthier? Obsessed! Pinned 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
It’s SO good right?! Thanks friend!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
drool. yes please! pinned 🙂 love the use of coconut oil!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks for the love and pin lady!
GiGi Eats says
The only puppy chow I have ever had…. Is actual dog food. This looks like it would taste FAR better! LOL!
Taylor Kiser says
Oh gosh! I seriously HOPE SO! Thanks Gigi!
[email protected] says
Protein in my puppy chow?! I am SO in. This looks amazing and kinda sorta addicting.— I’m pretty sure I’d eat the entire batch on day 1. Whoooops. 😀 Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
It is sort of A LOT addicting! Ha! Thanks Sarah!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
I’ve been saying that for years… I’m not questioning our maker, but if I was to design a planet, I would make donuts be the healthy food, and veggies be the junk food. This looks delish! Thanks for sharing!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! You and me both girlfriend!
Thanks Sarah!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
YUM. I had never had puppy chow until about 5 years ago. Crazy?
Taylor Kiser says
WHAT?! That is crazy! Better late than never!
Thanks Heather!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I love puppy chow! Great idea to add protein powder.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks Bianca!
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
True story – I didn’t have or know about puppy chow till my daughter brought it home the Christmas of 2012. Apparently a friend gave it to her as a gift and when she plopped it down on the kitchen counter, I opened it up and was about to give it to our “puppies” when she screeched “nooooooo” – yup, I was a confused Shashi then!
I love your lighter version Taylor!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! Well I am glad I am not the only one confused about the whole puppy chow shenanigans! Thanks beautiful, I hope your day is fab!
Nicole+~+Cooking+for+Keeps says
I believe Wikapedia. Always. 🙂 This stuff sounds addictive!
Taylor Kiser says
That’s why I adore you.
Thanks friend!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
lol’ing bc I have SO had that dog-speak conversation with Dave – like, do dogs in Spain only answer to Spanish? In Germany only in German? or do they have a universal code we don’t even know about? seriously sooo funny you said that.
and this puppy chow – YES. def will fix my sweet tooth while helping me get back on track post-honeymoon (waaayyyy too many pina coladas in tahiti!)
Taylor Kiser says
OMG!!! I wonder the same things! So happy it’s not just me!
WAIT? Honeymoon? CONGRATS GIRL!!!!
Thank you! 😀