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!

Table of Contents
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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Jordan @ Smile Sandwich says
THIS IS GENIUS!!!! I’ve also spent some time thinking about whether or not dogs speak in English. If you ever get any answers, let me know. 😉
Taylor Kiser says
HAHA! I am glad it’s not just me!! Thanks Jordan!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
You don’t have to tell me twice! I could devour this in no time! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks for the pin Anna!
Charlotte+Moore says
Hahahahaha!!! Where do you come up with all your rhymes? Funny!!!
I made peppermint white chocolate puppy chow one time. Then showed someone else how to make it. That was at least 3 years ago. It is crazy to think of naming it like dog food.
Taylor Kiser says
I have NO idea, they just come into my head! 😀
Peppermint white chocolate sounds SO good!! And I am glad you also don’t understand the dog food reference – it is crazy!
Anne Marie says
What the what! You have saved the day on my very favorite holiday (okay, okay, ANYTIME) treat! Since it is all protein, it’s totally okay to eat the entire recipe by myself in one sitting, right? I mean, just trying to get my daily recommended intake. 🙂 Thanks for the incredible recipe!
Taylor Kiser says
I LOVE that you fessed up to “anytime” because we all know it’s not just for holidays 😉
That’s right. PERFECTLY ok, especially int he same of getting your daily protein! Ha! Thanks Anna Marie!
Amanda says
Healthy puppy chow? YUM!
Taylor Kiser says
Right?! Thanks girl!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I’ve never had puppy chow, although every time I see a recipe posted for it I think it looks so good. Why haven’t I found some chex and made it yet? Need to get on that! And adding protein powder sounds like a great idea!
Taylor Kiser says
YOU HAVEN’T HAD IT! STACEY! You haven’t LIVED girl!! Get on it ASAP! Thanks for the love!
Stacey says
This sounds so yummy! Anything I can replace the coconut oil with? My family doesn’t like the taste of coconut.
Taylor Kiser says
Hi Stacey! Recipes are only tested as written. Also, you really can’t taste it in the puppy chow.
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
You are so smart- skipping the powdered sugar for protein powder, I bet you can’t even tell! Ok, I am thinking I need to drive down (up, wherever) to your place and get some photography tips, chat about blogging. etc. Ok? 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Nope! Looks the same and tastes BETTER!
AND SERIOUSLY. Can we have a bloggy talk lunch date?! I AM DOWN for real! 😀
If yes, email me! 😀 and thank you!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Excuse me while I go get some Chex cereal…this puppy chow looks too yummy! And filled with protein…! My only concern is how quickly this would be devoured!
Taylor Kiser says
Hey, we need 1 g of protein per lb of body weight a day. So you SHOULD eat the whole thing! 😉 Thanks girlfriend!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Since it’s healthy and all I don’t have to share with anyone?!
Taylor Kiser says
NOPE! All for you! Thanks Meg!
Lindsey+@+American+Heritage+Cooking says
You ask some excellent questions! I have to assume they call it puppy chow because it kind of looks like dog food! Still a bad name because who wants to eat dog food?! Apparently me because your healthier version looks delicious! Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
It does kind of look like it – you’re right! But, I agree…not the most scrumptious of names!
Thanks so much lady!