Chunky Muddy Buddies

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Chunky Muddy Buddies

Imagine everything you love about classic muddy buddies, but taken up a notch with oversized chocolatey clusters, pillowy mini marshmallows, and extra crunchy mix-ins in every handful. That’s exactly what these Chunky Muddy Buddies deliver—a sweet snack mix that’s impossible to stop nibbling.

This is the kind of treat you set out for a movie night, game day, or holiday party and suddenly realize the bowl is empty long before the credits roll. It’s ridiculously easy, totally no-bake, and comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop and in a big mixing bowl.

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Why You’ll Love This Chunky Muddy Buddies

Chunky Muddy Buddies take the familiar chocolate–peanut butter–powdered sugar combo and make it more indulgent and satisfying. Instead of every piece looking the same, you get a mix of crisp cereal squares and thick, almost brownie-like nuggets that feel extra special.

This recipe is also wonderfully laid-back. You don’t need an oven, a mixer, or any special equipment—just a microwave-safe bowl, a spatula, and a big baking sheet. It’s a perfect make-ahead party snack, a fun rainy-day project with kids, and a great treat to portion into bags for gifting.

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What Makes These Chunky Muddy Buddies So Addictive?

The secret is in the texture. We keep some of the cereal lightly coated so it stays airy and crisp, while other pieces get drenched in melted chocolate and peanut butter and cling together with mini marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks. Once everything is showered in powdered sugar, you end up with big, crunchy clusters and smaller sugary bites all in the same bowl.

You can also tweak the mix-ins to fit whatever you’re craving—extra nuts for more crunch, different chocolate, or even a handful of dried fruit or candies. However you customize it, you’ll get a perfectly sweet-and-salty, finger-licking treat.

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Ingredients for the Chunky Muddy Buddies

Chunky Muddy Buddies use simple pantry ingredients, but each one plays a specific role in building that chocolatey, chunky, snackable magic.

• Rice or Corn Chex cereal – The crisp cereal squares are the backbone of muddy buddies, giving the mix structure and light crunch while holding onto the chocolate coating.
• Semisweet chocolate chips – Melt into a smooth, rich base that coats the cereal and creates those fudgy clusters without being overly sweet.
• Creamy peanut butter – Adds nutty flavor and luscious texture that helps the chocolate cling to every nook and cranny of the cereal.
• Unsalted butter – Makes the chocolate–peanut butter mixture silky, glossy, and easy to drizzle over the cereal.
• Vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla deepens the overall flavor and rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter.
• Powdered sugar – Gives muddy buddies their classic snowy look and sweet finish while helping keep pieces separate instead of sticky.
• Mini marshmallows – Tuck into the mix and form soft, chewy pockets inside the chunky clusters.
• Salted peanuts or mixed nuts – Bring a salty crunch that balances the sweetness and adds more texture in every bite.
• Chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bars – Create extra-thick bits of chocolatey goodness so some pieces feel almost like bite-size candy.

---

How To Make the Chunky Muddy Buddies

Once you prep your ingredients, the rest comes together quickly. Work near the sink or stovetop so you can move smoothly from melting to mixing and spreading.

Step 1 – Prep the Cereal and Mix-Ins

Pour the cereal into a very large mixing bowl so you have plenty of room to toss everything without spilling. Add the mini marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks on top, but don’t stir yet—you want the cereal mostly on the bottom so it gets hit first with the warm chocolate mixture.

Step 2 – Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until everything is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract at the end so it doesn’t cook off. The mixture should be pourable but not scorching hot.

Step 3 – Coat the Cereal and Create the Chunks

Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal and mix-ins. Use a large spatula to gently fold, scraping from the bottom of the bowl and lifting up so the cereal gets evenly coated. Try not to crush the cereal—you want some pieces to clump together naturally with the marshmallows and nuts so you get thick, chunky clusters.

Step 4 – Add the Powdered Sugar

Transfer the coated cereal mixture to a large zip-top bag or a clean paper bag, working in batches if needed. Add the powdered sugar, seal tightly, and shake well until every piece is coated in a fluffy layer of sugar. If you prefer extra coverage, you can sprinkle more powdered sugar directly over the mixture once it’s on the baking sheet.

Step 5 – Cool, Set, and Serve

Spread the Chunky Muddy Buddies out on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Let everything cool and set until the chocolate firms up and the clusters hold together. Once completely cool, break any oversized pieces into more manageable chunks, transfer to a serving bowl, and dig in.

---

Serving and Storing Chunky Muddy Buddies

A big batch of Chunky Muddy Buddies is perfect for sharing—this recipe comfortably feeds about 10–12 people as a snack, depending on how generous the scoops are. Pile it into a big bowl for movie night or game day, or portion it into small cups so everyone gets their own share.

For gifting, spoon the mix into cellophane bags or small jars and tie them with ribbon. It’s a fun, budget-friendly treat for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers during the holidays.

To store, keep the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and crunchy for about a week, though in my house it rarely lasts that long. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can tuck the container in the fridge so the chocolate doesn’t soften—just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so the flavors shine.

---

What to Serve With Chunky Muddy Buddies?

Chunky Muddy Buddies are delicious all on their own, but they also fit beautifully into a bigger snack spread.

Hot Chocolate or Coffee

Pair this sweet snack mix with mugs of hot chocolate, lattes, or strong coffee. The warm drink balances the chilled crunch and makes everything feel extra cozy.

Cold Milk or Chocolate Milk

A classic choice—serve small glasses of cold milk or chocolate milk alongside for kids (and adults!) who love that chocolate-and-cereal combo.

Fresh Fruit Platter

Set out sliced apples, strawberries, grapes, or berries to add something bright and juicy next to all the sweetness. The fresh fruit helps balance the richness of the chocolate and peanut butter.

Savory Snack Board

Round things out with something salty: popcorn, pretzels, crackers, and cheese. The contrast of savory and sweet makes the Chunky Muddy Buddies pop even more.

Ice Cream Sundaes

Use the Chunky Muddy Buddies as a crunchy topping for vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Sprinkle over sundaes right before serving for the best texture.

Holiday Dessert Table

Add this mix to a dessert table with cookies, bars, and candies. It fills in the gaps on platters and gives guests something easy to grab as they mingle.

Lunchbox or On-the-Go Treat

Spoon a small portion into snack bags or containers for packed lunches, road trips, or long afternoons at the park.

---

Want More Sweet Snack Mix & Dessert Ideas?

If these Chunky Muddy Buddies disappear in a flash, you’ll love exploring more easy desserts and bar cookies that are perfect for sharing:

• No-Bake Preacher Cookies for a chewy, chocolate–peanut butter treat that comes together on the stovetop.
• Knock You Naked Bars when you’re craving ultra-gooey caramel and chocolate layered in one irresistible bar.
• Easy Apple Crisp Bars for a buttery oat crust topped with cozy cinnamon apples.
• Banana Bread Cookies when you want that classic banana bread flavor baked into soft, snackable cookies.

These recipes all make generous batches and are just as perfect for parties, potlucks, or movie nights as Chunky Muddy Buddies.

---

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Chunky Muddy Buddies recipe to your favorite dessert or snack board on Pinterest so you can find it fast whenever a craving hits.

When you make it, I’d love to hear how you put your own spin on it. Did you toss in pretzels or swap the nuts? Maybe you used white chocolate or added colorful candies for a holiday version?

Share your tweaks and questions in the comments so we can all keep riffing on this crunchy snack mix together.

And if you’re always on the hunt for new sweet treats and cozy comfort food, follow my Nora Nosh Recipes Pinterest board for even more easy desserts, snack mixes, and weeknight dinner ideas.

---

Imagine everything you love about classic muddy buddies, but taken up a notch with oversized chocolatey clusters, pillowy mini marshmallows, and extra crunchy mix-ins in every handful. That’s exactly what these Chunky Muddy Buddies deliver—a sweet snack mix that’s impossible to stop nibbling.

This is the kind of treat you set out for a movie night, game day, or holiday party and suddenly realize the bowl is empty long before the credits roll. It’s ridiculously easy, totally no-bake, and comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop and in a big mixing bowl.

---

Why You’ll Love This Chunky Muddy Buddies

Chunky Muddy Buddies take the familiar chocolate–peanut butter–powdered sugar combo and make it more indulgent and satisfying. Instead of every piece looking the same, you get a mix of crisp cereal squares and thick, almost brownie-like nuggets that feel extra special.

This recipe is also wonderfully laid-back. You don’t need an oven, a mixer, or any special equipment—just a microwave-safe bowl, a spatula, and a big baking sheet. It’s a perfect make-ahead party snack, a fun rainy-day project with kids, and a great treat to portion into bags for gifting.

---

What Makes These Chunky Muddy Buddies So Addictive?

The secret is in the texture. We keep some of the cereal lightly coated so it stays airy and crisp, while other pieces get drenched in melted chocolate and peanut butter and cling together with mini marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks. Once everything is showered in powdered sugar, you end up with big, crunchy clusters and smaller sugary bites all in the same bowl.

You can also tweak the mix-ins to fit whatever you’re craving—extra nuts for more crunch, different chocolate, or even a handful of dried fruit or candies. However you customize it, you’ll get a perfectly sweet-and-salty, finger-licking treat.

---

Ingredients for the Chunky Muddy Buddies

Chunky Muddy Buddies use simple pantry ingredients, but each one plays a specific role in building that chocolatey, chunky, snackable magic.

• Rice or Corn Chex cereal – The crisp cereal squares are the backbone of muddy buddies, giving the mix structure and light crunch while holding onto the chocolate coating.
• Semisweet chocolate chips – Melt into a smooth, rich base that coats the cereal and creates those fudgy clusters without being overly sweet.
• Creamy peanut butter – Adds nutty flavor and luscious texture that helps the chocolate cling to every nook and cranny of the cereal.
• Unsalted butter – Makes the chocolate–peanut butter mixture silky, glossy, and easy to drizzle over the cereal.
• Vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla deepens the overall flavor and rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter.
• Powdered sugar – Gives muddy buddies their classic snowy look and sweet finish while helping keep pieces separate instead of sticky.
• Mini marshmallows – Tuck into the mix and form soft, chewy pockets inside the chunky clusters.
• Salted peanuts or mixed nuts – Bring a salty crunch that balances the sweetness and adds more texture in every bite.
• Chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bars – Create extra-thick bits of chocolatey goodness so some pieces feel almost like bite-size candy.

---

How To Make the Chunky Muddy Buddies

Once you prep your ingredients, the rest comes together quickly. Work near the sink or stovetop so you can move smoothly from melting to mixing and spreading.

Step 1 – Prep the Cereal and Mix-Ins

Pour the cereal into a very large mixing bowl so you have plenty of room to toss everything without spilling. Add the mini marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chunks on top, but don’t stir yet—you want the cereal mostly on the bottom so it gets hit first with the warm chocolate mixture.

Step 2 – Melt the Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until everything is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract at the end so it doesn’t cook off. The mixture should be pourable but not scorching hot.

Step 3 – Coat the Cereal and Create the Chunks

Pour the warm chocolate mixture over the cereal and mix-ins. Use a large spatula to gently fold, scraping from the bottom of the bowl and lifting up so the cereal gets evenly coated. Try not to crush the cereal—you want some pieces to clump together naturally with the marshmallows and nuts so you get thick, chunky clusters.

Step 4 – Add the Powdered Sugar

Transfer the coated cereal mixture to a large zip-top bag or a clean paper bag, working in batches if needed. Add the powdered sugar, seal tightly, and shake well until every piece is coated in a fluffy layer of sugar. If you prefer extra coverage, you can sprinkle more powdered sugar directly over the mixture once it’s on the baking sheet.

Step 5 – Cool, Set, and Serve

Spread the Chunky Muddy Buddies out on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer. Let everything cool and set until the chocolate firms up and the clusters hold together. Once completely cool, break any oversized pieces into more manageable chunks, transfer to a serving bowl, and dig in.

---

Serving and Storing Chunky Muddy Buddies

A big batch of Chunky Muddy Buddies is perfect for sharing—this recipe comfortably feeds about 10–12 people as a snack, depending on how generous the scoops are. Pile it into a big bowl for movie night or game day, or portion it into small cups so everyone gets their own share.

For gifting, spoon the mix into cellophane bags or small jars and tie them with ribbon. It’s a fun, budget-friendly treat for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers during the holidays.

To store, keep the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and crunchy for about a week, though in my house it rarely lasts that long. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can tuck the container in the fridge so the chocolate doesn’t soften—just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so the flavors shine.

---

What to Serve With Chunky Muddy Buddies?

Chunky Muddy Buddies are delicious all on their own, but they also fit beautifully into a bigger snack spread.

Hot Chocolate or Coffee

Pair this sweet snack mix with mugs of hot chocolate, lattes, or strong coffee. The warm drink balances the chilled crunch and makes everything feel extra cozy.

Cold Milk or Chocolate Milk

A classic choice—serve small glasses of cold milk or chocolate milk alongside for kids (and adults!) who love that chocolate-and-cereal combo.

Fresh Fruit Platter

Set out sliced apples, strawberries, grapes, or berries to add something bright and juicy next to all the sweetness. The fresh fruit helps balance the richness of the chocolate and peanut butter.

Savory Snack Board

Round things out with something salty: popcorn, pretzels, crackers, and cheese. The contrast of savory and sweet makes the Chunky Muddy Buddies pop even more.

Ice Cream Sundaes

Use the Chunky Muddy Buddies as a crunchy topping for vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Sprinkle over sundaes right before serving for the best texture.

Holiday Dessert Table

Add this mix to a dessert table with cookies, bars, and candies. It fills in the gaps on platters and gives guests something easy to grab as they mingle.

Lunchbox or On-the-Go Treat

Spoon a small portion into snack bags or containers for packed lunches, road trips, or long afternoons at the park.

---

Want More Sweet Snack Mix & Dessert Ideas?

If these Chunky Muddy Buddies disappear in a flash, you’ll love exploring more easy desserts and bar cookies that are perfect for sharing:

• No-Bake Preacher Cookies for a chewy, chocolate–peanut butter treat that comes together on the stovetop.
• Knock You Naked Bars when you’re craving ultra-gooey caramel and chocolate layered in one irresistible bar.
• Easy Apple Crisp Bars for a buttery oat crust topped with cozy cinnamon apples.
• Banana Bread Cookies when you want that classic banana bread flavor baked into soft, snackable cookies.

These recipes all make generous batches and are just as perfect for parties, potlucks, or movie nights as Chunky Muddy Buddies.

---

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Chunky Muddy Buddies recipe to your favorite dessert or snack board on Pinterest so you can find it fast whenever a craving hits.

When you make it, I’d love to hear how you put your own spin on it. Did you toss in pretzels or swap the nuts? Maybe you used white chocolate or added colorful candies for a holiday version?

Share your tweaks and questions in the comments so we can all keep riffing on this crunchy snack mix together.

And if you’re always on the hunt for new sweet treats and cozy comfort food, follow my Nora Nosh Recipes Pinterest board for even more easy desserts, snack mixes, and weeknight dinner ideas.

---

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