This festive Valentine’s Puppy Chow recipe is nut-free and a perfect treat to bring to school or just enjoy at home.

Puppy Chow is one of my all time favorite snacks. Which is actually kind of funny because I never had it as a kid. I wasn’t introduced to Puppy Chow until I was a teacher and one of my students brought some in for a snack and insisted I try it. (She actually referred to it as Muddy Buddy Mix.) I was instantly hooked!

Today I’m sharing a fun Puppy Chow Recipe with a Valentine’s Day twist. Traditional Puppy Chow is made with peanut butter which I personally love, but can be an issue if you are serving it to anyone with a nut allergy. Many schools also have a strict “no nuts” policy and traditional Puppy Chow is not allowed. This Valentine’s Puppy Chow contains no nuts at all and is the perfect snack for a classroom Valentine’s Day party or lunchbox snack.

You’ll need to gather candy melts in white, pink, and red. You’ll also need some shortening, powdered sugar and your favorite Chex cereal.

Melt 1/2 cup of one color of candy melts in the microwave, heating for 25 seconds, then stirring, and reheating as needed until smooth.

Stir in 1/2 Tablespoon of shortening, and then 1 cup of Chex cereal.

Stir to coat the Chex cereal completely.

Place one third of the powdered sugar (about 3 Tablespoons) into a ziplock bag and add the candy-coated Chex. Close the bag and give it a good shake for one or two minutes.

The candy won’t be completely sugar-coated since we want the color to stand out, so the pieces will stick together a bit. Try to space them out on a cookie sheet to dry.

Repeat this process with the other two colors of candy melts.

Let dry for at least one hour – avoid the temptation to put this in the fridge as that will cause the candy to sweat when it is returned to room temperature.

If you are serving the Puppy Chow yourself, display it in a pink, white or red dish. If you are sending it in to school, place in individual clear bags with a pink or red ribbon.

Want to print the Valentine’s Puppy Chow recipe out? Here you go!!

Print Pin

Valentine's Puppy Chow Mix

Servings servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup white candy melts
1/2 cup pink candy melts
1/2 cup red candy melts
1 1/2 Tablespoon shortening
3 cup Chex cereal
2/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Melt 1/2 cup of one color of candy melts in the microwave, heating for 25 seconds, then stirring, and reheating as needed until smooth.
Stir in 1/2 Tablespoon of shortening, and then 1 cup of Chex cereal.
Stir to coat the Chex cereal completely.
Place one third of the powdered sugar (about 3 Tablespoons) into a ziplock bag and add the candy-coated Chex. Close the bag and give it a good shake for one or two minutes.
The candy won't be completely sugar-coated since we want the color to stand out, so the pieces will stick together a bit. Try to space them out on a cookie sheet to dry.
Repeat this process with the other two colors of candy melts.
Let dry for at least one hour - avoid the temptation to put this in the fridge as that will cause the candy to sweat when it is returned to room temperature.

Notes

Nut free!!