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Healthier Puppy Chow

August 7, 2014 by Lindsay 61 Comments

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Your favorite childhood snack gets a makeover! This Healthier Puppy Chow is healthy enough to eat as a snack but sweet enough to pass as dessert!

Hi Friends!

Quick post today. I’m tired. This week is wearing me down for some reason. But I do have a fun little snack to share with you! Let’s take a little trip back to childhood. Remember puppy chow? Muddy buddies? Whatever you may have called it, it was a beloved treat for me growing up.

Your favorite childhood snack gets a makeover! This Healthier Puppy Chow is healthy enough to eat as a snack but sweet enough to pass as dessert!

I decided to revisit that childhood recipe and make it a bit healthier. Here are the changes I made:

  • Replaced the melted chocolate chips with Chocolate Nuttzo
  • Cut WAY back on the powdered sugar
  • Added some healthy nuts and seeds to the mix

The result is puppy chow-ish. It’s still tossed in powdered sugar, so I wouldn’t go so far as to call it super-healthy but it’s definitely a step up from the original!

Here’s the recipe:

Print

Healthier Puppy Chow

healthier puppy chow
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

A nutritious spin on one of your favorite childhood treats!

  • Author: Author: Lindsay L

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups Rice Chex
  • 1/2 cup chocolate Nuttzo
  • 1/4 cup nut butter
  • 2 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
  • 1 cup nuts
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Combine the chex, seeds and nuts in a large bowl.
  2. Melt the Nuttzo and peanut butter in the microwave.
  3. Pour over chex mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Let sit for 15 minutes or so to cool.
  5. Transfer mixture to a large ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar, close the bag and shake to coat.
  6. Store in the fridge.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

I used a mixture of Nuttzo and peanut butter. Feel free to use your favorite nut butter. Like I mention in the notes above, if you don’t have the chocolate nuttzo and still want the chocolate component, just melt some chocolate chips and add those to the mix! I used a combination of peanuts and almonds- you choose your favorite nuts to include!

Your favorite childhood snack gets a makeover! This Healthier Puppy Chow is healthy enough to eat as a snack but sweet enough to pass as dessert!

 

Since I cut way back on the powered sugar coating, it’s best to store this in the fridge to help minimize the mess! If you want to add more powdered sugar for a thicker coating, go for it!

[Tweet “A childhood favorite revisited. Healthier Puppy Chow from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Full disclosure: I received the Nuttzo used in this recipe for free, but was not asked to create this recipe. 

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Filed Under: Dessert, Snack Tagged With: Hemp Seed, Peanut Butter, Rice Chex

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says

    August 7, 2014 at 12:16 AM

    I like the way you made puppy chow healthier! I’ve seen other healthy versions before, but not one like this, and especially not with the Nuttzo. I’ve never tried Nuttzo, but I’d love to!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:53 AM

      it’s definitely worth trying!

      Reply
  2. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    August 7, 2014 at 3:08 AM

    LOVE the idea of using chia and hemp seeds – totally makes for a good reason to make this HEALTHIER puppy chow hehe

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      i agree 100% 🙂

      Reply
  3. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    August 7, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    This is the first time I’ve seen a puppy chow recipe which had some added goodness- nice one buddy! I reckon this would make an awesome gift instead of granola!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      yes! i’m thinking xmas gifts!

      Reply
  4. Brynn says

    August 7, 2014 at 5:39 AM

    Love the addition of hemp seed for a nice crunch and added texture! Yum!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      yes! the seeds make it extra fun!

      Reply
  5. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    August 7, 2014 at 5:48 AM

    Simply….YUM! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Tara Newman says

    August 7, 2014 at 6:14 AM

    Brilliant! My kids are obsessed with Puppy Chow because they make it at camp in baking and cooking. I refuse to make it at how because all the sugar! I will have to try this one.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      yay! hope you all love it!

      Reply
  7. Becca from It's Yummi! says

    August 7, 2014 at 6:19 AM

    I’ve never heard of Nutzo, but I’m gonna look for it, because this sounds awesome!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      it’s a great product! definitely worth checking out!

      Reply
  8. Danielle @ It's a Harleyyy Life says

    August 7, 2014 at 6:34 AM

    I LOVE puppy chow!

    Reply
  9. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    August 7, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    oh my stars friend… I NEED!

    Reply
  10. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    August 7, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    I happen to have some chocolate nuttzo that really should be used:-)

    Weird, I’ve been feeling really off this week, too. Not sure why, maybe it’s this point in pregnancy when things start to get real??

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:51 AM

      perfection! hope you feel better as well. it’s definitely starting to get real!

      Reply
  11. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

    August 7, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    This was one of my favorite childhood treats! Even if it’s not totally healthy, it’s a step in the right direction and that’s better! 🙂 I’m definitely going to give this a whirl!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:51 AM

      woohoo! enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    I used to love puppy chow! Love this healthier version!

    Reply
  13. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    Awesome idea, Lindsay! I LOVE puppy chow and it is nice to see a healthier version, especially since it is SO addicting!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:51 AM

      one of the most addicting foods i’d say!

      Reply
  14. Alysia @ Slim Sanity says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    Puppy chow is definitely one of my all time favorites. Its so addicting that I can never really make it that often! People down here call it muddy buddies.. which is just kinda weird to me.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:51 AM

      haha i agree. weird to me too!

      Reply
  15. Heather (Where's the Beach) says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    I had puppy chow for the first time only a few years ago. Holy addiction! LOL. This recipe looks great. Just pinned it. I wonder if you could even take it a step further with protein powder …

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:51 AM

      oooh! worth experimenting i’d say!

      Reply
  16. Aly @ Aly Seeks Balance says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    Oh my, puppy chow is one of those foods that, when I’m given the entire bag, you are not getting it back (at least not with anything in it 😉 – Great to see that there’s a less guilt-inducing way to enjoy it!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:50 AM

      absolutely! no need to share anymore 😉

      Reply
  17. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

    August 7, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    LOVE this! I love that puppy chow so having a healthier version would be nice so I don’t feel so guilty about it. Totally sneaking this to my next family even to see if anyone notices the changes.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:50 AM

      woohoo! hope it goes over well!

      Reply
  18. Kim @ FITsique says

    August 7, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    Ahh I used to LOVE puppy chow and would make it for friends events all the time. I just got asked at my brother’s wedding by a buddy of his if I brought my famous puppy chow! Needless to say once I got my head on straight with health and nutrition I pretty much never thought of making it! I will DEFINITELY try this healthier version though. Maybe puppy chow is back in my life?!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 9:49 AM

      yes! it’s definitely back in. So good 🙂

      Reply
  19. Alexis @ Hummusapien says

    August 7, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    Pinned this immediately! I love that even though you’re beyond tired/busy/stressed, you can still whip out a totally awesome puppy chow recipe that I want to eat off the screen. YUM-O!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      doing my best girlfriend 😉

      Reply
  20. Joanna @Makingmine says

    August 7, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    Oh yum! What a simple way to make a snack a little healthier – love it!

    Reply
  21. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    August 7, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    This is crazy but I don’t know that I’ve ever had puppy chow. I’ve seen it at parties, but can never remember reaching for it. I’ll have to try it sometime.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      what?! A must try for sure!

      Reply
  22. Cassie says

    August 7, 2014 at 10:39 AM

    Love this! Just pinned. I’ve been looking for a healthier puppy chow recipe… I haven’t had it in so long!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      Thanks so much for pinning! Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  23. Melissa says

    August 7, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    Oh man…I don’t know if muddy buddy is a recipe I wanna mess with! I definitely don’t make it with health in mind 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      haha no need to mess with perfection if you don’t want to!

      Reply
  24. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    August 7, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    This would be a perfect work snack! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:58 PM

      Agreed. Perfect snack break!

      Reply
  25. Diana @sosmallsostrong says

    August 7, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    This looks wonderful! I never ate this as a kid but as an adult I love it!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 1:58 PM

      Glad you’re making up for lost time!

      Reply
  26. Sarah Grace says

    August 7, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    Lindsay I’m in heaven..oh my delicious!
    xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.

    Reply
  27. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    August 7, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    Down here in Texas they call it muddy buddies, but my family is from up north and have always called it puppy chow 😛 Such a good snack! I made some last year with the full-on-sugar-overload for my family as presents. I wish I had known about this recipe then!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 2:58 PM

      haha the original version is sugar overload for sure!

      Reply
  28. Allie says

    August 7, 2014 at 2:56 PM

    I am so happy that there’s a healthy (er) version of puppy chow! I could eat like 482848 very large bowls of that stuff … having a healthier version probably doesn’t quite justify that, but it helps! Trying this right away … can you buy hemp seeds at a regular grocery store?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 7, 2014 at 2:58 PM

      probably not. I’d check places like whole foods. Manitoba Harvest sells them online and they also have a store locator you could check out!

      Reply
  29. jobo says

    August 7, 2014 at 3:25 PM

    YUM! My weakness!!! I want some! I pinned this but am scared to make it and eat it all 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 8, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      haha #worthit!

      Reply
  30. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    August 7, 2014 at 8:06 PM

    Yum 🙂

    Reply
  31. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    August 7, 2014 at 9:21 PM

    YUM! I love Puppy Chow! My kids will gobble this up!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 8, 2014 at 10:37 AM

      hope they love it 🙂

      Reply
  32. Danielle says

    August 9, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    It looks REALLY good! Despite being healthier, I still don’t think I could stop at just one handful…

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 11, 2014 at 8:38 AM

      haha I definitely didn’t 😉

      Reply
  33. TITLE Boxing Club says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    Wow, even thought it’s ‘healthier’ I still think I’d have trouble stopping eating them 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 11, 2014 at 11:28 AM

      It’s definitely still addicting!

      Reply
  34. Anna says

    August 27, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    Can NOT wait to try this!

    Reply
  35. Michelle says

    December 4, 2018 at 12:51 PM

    Loved this!!!!! I actually prefer this over the naughty version. Thank you!!

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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