Protein Puppy Chow

Let Me Tell You About Protein Puppy Chow

Okay, real talk—if you grew up with muddy buddies, you already know the power they have to vanish before you blink. But once I started adding protein powder? Let’s just say my brother stopped pretending to “hate healthy food” and now hovers like a vulture whenever I bust out a batch. Funny thing is, the first time I tried sneaking protein into classic puppy chow, I fully expected disaster. Turns out, it was amazing and I actually like it better with that little extra oomph. So does my kid, and usually the neighbor’s kid, who always mysteriously shows up when the smell hits the hallway. Oh, pro tip: don’t wear black while making this unless you want to start a new trend in powdered sugar tie dye!

Why You’re Going to Crave This

I whip this protein puppy chow up basically every time we have a movie night, or you know, when I need a sweet fix after pretending to work out (fake it till you make it, right?). My partner claims it’s the only reason he survived that all-night gaming marathon. And sometimes, I’ll toss in a handful of mini pretzels if I’m feeling wild. For anyone nervously eyeing the protein powder, don’t stress—if you had a weird batch once, just try your fave vanilla one here. Maybe not the time for adventures (I regretted the coconut chai flavor… just, not my jam).

Ingredients You’ll Need (and What I Substitute When I’m Feeling Lazy)

• 5 cups Rice Chex cereal (sometimes I grab corn Chex, or even Crispix if it’s what’s left—it’s all good)
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (my grandmother swore by milk chocolate, not gonna lie, I just use whatever’s on sale)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy, but chunky is weirdly good for a little crunch too)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (did salted once by accident, wasn’t even bad)
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based both work, just don’t use that pea one unless you love earthy vibes)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I’ve eyeballed this and sometimes added more for a blizzard effect)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (totally optional, but I like it—something about salty with sweet)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (sometimes I skip because I just forget!)

How I Actually Make It (And Where I Usually Sneak a Taste)

1. First, grab a giant mixing bowl, and dump in all your Chex. If the box is mostly crumbs, don’t worry—more places for the chocolate to hide.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl (I’ve used a saucepan when mine was dirty, worked fine), toss in the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then another 30ish seconds until it’s smooth and glossy. Add the vanilla extract once it’s melted (if you remember—half the time I’m halfway done before it occurs to me).
3. Pour that melty goodness right onto the cereal. Use a spatula to coat every piece as best you can. Yes, it will look gloppy. That’s normal.
4. Sprinkle in the sea salt and protein powder and mix (don’t stress if a little powder clumps—it dissolves eventually).
5. Now, shovel the chocolate-covered Chex into a big zip-top bag (or, if you’re like me and have a bag shortage, just cover your mixing bowl with a big lid or plate). Dump in all the powdered sugar. Seal and shake like you’re making maracas. Seriously, shake it up until every piece is coated and you feel like your arms might fall off or until your neighbor bangs on the wall again.
6. Spread out all that puppy chow onto a lined baking tray to cool, or just leave it in the bowl for the impatient (guilty). This is when I start nibbling and accidentally eat way too much before anyone else shows up. Oops.

Some Notes I Probably Should Have Figured Out Earlier

• If you try to pour the melted chocolate over cold cereal straight from the fridge, expect clumps galore. Let it sit at room temp first.
• The protein powder can taste different depending on the brand. I tried one that made it taste like cardboard—never again. Stick to what you like in shakes.
• Corn Chex hold up a bit better than rice if you’re packing this for a road trip (says the person who cleaned cereal crumbs out of her car for weeks).

Weird Variations That Are (Mostly) Awesome

• Tried adding espresso powder. Made it taste fancy, but my niece did laps around the house for an hour after. Maybe not for kids.
• Maple protein powder? Actually, kind of delicious, especially if you stir in a handful of toasted pecans.
• Do NOT try a protein puppy chow with lemon protein or fruit Chex—unless you enjoy confusion and snack regret.
• Swapped almond butter in once—couldn’t even tell the diff.

What You Need (And What You Can Get By Without)

• Big mixing bowl (if you only have a medium one, dump in half at a time—messy, but it works)
• Microwave-safe bowl or saucepan
• Spatula for scraping (or your clean hands in a pinch, but prepare for stickiness)
• Gallon zip-top bag (or just use a big plastic container with a lid—give it a shake, it’s a workout)
• Baking tray and parchment (if you plan on the cooling step; I tend to skip if I’m too hungry)

How to Store It (Because It Never Lasts Long Enough Here)

Technically, you can keep protein puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, but honestly, in my house, it never lasts more than a day… maybe two if I hide the container on the top shelf (and pretend not to hear the scooting sounds from someone fetching a chair durning the night).

Serving It Up, My Way

I literally just heap this into a big bowl and let everyone dig in with their hands (family, after all). Sometimes for parties I get fancy and portion it in cupcake liners. Or, the rare times I’m very extra, I stir in mini Reese’s cups and act like it’s a “gourmet snack mix.”

Pro Tips: Trust Me, I’ve Messed This Up Before

• Don’t rush the melting! I once set the microwave too high and got burnt chocolate sludge—just go slow, or you’ll smell regret for a week.
• If you try to shake the powdered sugar without sealing the bag… whew, good luck cleaning up that dust storm.
• Actually, I find it works better if you mix the protein powder in before adding the powdered sugar—just less clumpy.

FAQ: Stuff People Actually Ask Me (or Text at 11pm)

• Q: Does the protein affect the taste? A: Depends on the powder! Some are delicious, others can be pretty strong. Stick to a brand you like in shakes. Also, maybe avoid pea protein unless you’re a warrior.
• Q: Can you make this dairy free? A: Yep, use dairy-free choc chips and margarine, and plant protein! My best friend does it all the time (though she skips the butter, and it’s still decent).
• Q: Is this for dogs? Someone asked me this once—no, please do NOT feed to pets; the chocolate and xylitol in some powders are a huge no-no for furballs. Humans only!
• Q: Can I double this? A: Oh for sure, but maybe split into two bags for shaking. Otherwise, you’ll be shaking for a week, or spill half in epic fashion (ask how I know…)

And by the way, if you’re ever distracted enough to accidentally drop your spatula in the bowl, don’t panic, just fish it out. Happens to the best of us. Happy snacking!

★★★★★ 4.80 from 25 ratings

Protein Puppy Chow

yield: 8 servings

prep: 10 mins

cook: 2 mins

total: 12 mins

A protein-packed twist on the classic Puppy Chow, this easy no-bake treat combines Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, protein powder, and a snowy coat of powdered sugar for an irresistible sweet snack.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 cups Rice Chex cereal (sometimes I grab corn Chex, or even Crispix if it’s what’s left—it’s all good)
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (my grandmother swore by milk chocolate, not gonna lie, I just use whatever’s on sale)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy, but chunky is weirdly good for a little crunch too)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (did salted once by accident, wasn’t even bad)
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based both work, just don’t use that pea one unless you love earthy vibes)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I’ve eyeballed this and sometimes added more for a blizzard effect)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (totally optional, but I like it—something about salty with sweet)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (sometimes I skip because I just forget!)

Instructions

1. 1
   First, grab a giant mixing bowl, and dump in all your Chex. If the box is mostly crumbs, don’t worry—more places for the chocolate to hide.
2. 2
   In a microwave-safe bowl (I’ve used a saucepan when mine was dirty, worked fine), toss in the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then another 30ish seconds until it’s smooth and glossy. Add the vanilla extract once it’s melted (if you remember—half the time I’m halfway done before it occurs to me).
3. 3
   Pour that melty goodness right onto the cereal. Use a spatula to coat every piece as best you can. Yes, it will look gloppy. That’s normal.
4. 4
   Sprinkle in the sea salt and protein powder and mix (don’t stress if a little powder clumps—it dissolves eventually).
5. 5
   Now, shovel the chocolate-covered Chex into a big zip-top bag (or, if you’re like me and have a bag shortage, just cover your mixing bowl with a big lid or plate). Dump in all the powdered sugar. Seal and shake like you’re making maracas. Seriously, shake it up until every piece is coated and you feel like your arms might fall off or until your neighbor bangs on the wall again.
6. 6
   Spread out all that puppy chow onto a lined baking tray to cool, or just leave it in the bowl for the impatient (guilty). This is when I start nibbling and accidentally eat way too much before anyone else shows up. Oops.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 320cal

Protein: 8 gg

Fat: 12 gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 44 gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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