Red, White and Blue Puppy Chow

My husband has one weakness when it comes to snacks: puppy chow. Any way he can incorporate it into a picnic, potluck or holiday menu, he will. This festive red, white and blue puppy chow is his latest way to ensure his favorite sweet snack is a staple at every Fourth of July and Memorial Day gathering year after year. (I anticipate a request for red and green puppy chow to come before Christmas too.)

From a taste perspective, this red, white and blue puppy chow recipe isn’t much different from classic puppy chow. The main change is that colored candy melts are used instead of melted semisweet chocolate chips, and you’ll technically make three small, separate batches of puppy chow (one of each color) before combining them into one patriotic recipe.

Take the puppy chow along to the fireworks this upcoming Independence Day. It will be anyone’s guess if your “oohs” and “aahs” are in response to the firecrackers in the sky or this divinely delicious red, white and blue dessert.

Red, White and Blue Puppy Chow Ingredients

• Chex cereal: While you could technically use any type of Chex cereal, rice Chex are the most traditional (and recommended) type to use for puppy chow.
• Candy melts: You need red, white and blue candy melts to make this puppy chow. Look for candy melts in the baking aisle. Sometimes you can find them at craft stores like Michaels as well.
• Creamy peanut butter: Classic creamy peanut butter is the best for puppy chow. The stabilizers and emulsifiers in brands like Skippy or Jif help make the peanut butter less greasy than natural peanut butter.
• Butter: A small amount of butter helps thin and smooth the melted peanut butter and candy melts, while also making the mixture a bit tacky so the confectioners’ sugar clings to every nook and cranny of the coated cereal.
• Vanilla: Now’s not the time to cheap out. While only a small amount of vanilla is needed, using high quality vanilla extract yields the best-tasting puppy chow.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Start with 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar per color of puppy chow. If moist patches remain, dust a little extra over the coated cereal until it’s fully coated.

Directions

Step 1: Make the candy melt coating

Place each color of candy melts in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 1/4 cup peanut butter and 1 tablespoon butter to each bowl.

Step 2: Warm in the microwave

Working with one color at a time, microwave the candy melts for one minute at 50% power. Mix until smooth, microwaving for an additional 15 to 20 seconds at a reduced power setting as needed.

Then, stir 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract into each bowl.

Step 3: Coat the cereal

Divide the cereal equally into each bowl with the melted candy coating mixture. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the cereal until it’s evenly coated with the mixture.

Step 4: Shake in confectioners’ sugar

Add 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar to a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Add one of the coated cereal mixtures and then seal the bag. Gently shake and turn the cereal until it’s evenly coated in the confectioners’ sugar and no wet spots remain.

Editor’s Tip: You can also use a large paper bag or plastic storage container with a tight-fitting lid if you don’t have a gallon-sized zip-top bag.

Step 5: Let the coating set

Spread the puppy chow onto a large sheet pan, breaking up any large clumps and dusting with additional confectioners’ sugar as needed.

Step 6: Repeat with additional colors, then combine

Repeat this process with the remaining two colors. Once all the cereal is coated, combine the colors into a large serving bowl or storage container.

Red, White and Blue Puppy Chow Variations

• Make red, white and blue lemon-flavored puppy chow: You can adapt this recipe by using colored candy melts to make a red, white and blue lemon puppy chow for a fun flavor twist.
• Use a peanut butter alternative: You can substitute another type of nut butter you enjoy for the peanut butter. You could also experiment with Nutella or Biscoff cookie butter.

How to Store Red, White and Blue Puppy Chow

Puppy chow may be stored at room temperature in an airtight food storage container. You may also freeze puppy chow for longer storage.

How long does puppy chow last?

You can store puppy chow at room temperature for up to a week or in a freezer for two to three months.

Red, White and Blue Puppy Chow Tips

Can you use food coloring instead of candy melts to make this puppy chow?

Colored candy melts will yield the best color payoff. That said, if you cannot find red and/or blue candy melts, you can dye white candy melts using food coloring. Gel food coloring produces a richer, more vibrant color, but you can use liquid dye as well. Gradually add the dye to the melted candy mixture, mixing until the desired pigment is achieved. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

What is the best container to mix puppy chow in?

I’ve made puppy chow using everything from large plastic Tupperware containers to zip-top bags and paper bags. While everyone will have their preferred method, I like to coat the cereal in a large mixing bowl, then use a brown paper bag to coat the puppy chow with confectioners’ sugar.

The sticky chocolate or candy coating does not adhere to the paper bag as much as to a plastic container or bag, and it’s disposable, so there’s less cleanup involved too.