15 Minute Butterfinger Puppy Chow Will Make You Crave More

Oh, you guys—I have to tell you about my Butterfinger puppy chow obsession. It started back in high school when my best friend would bring huge Ziploc bags of this stuff to sleepovers. We’d demolish it in minutes, fingers sticky with powdered sugar, crunching on those chocolate-coated cereal pieces and bits of Butterfinger like it was our job. The sweet-salty combo? Unreal. And the best part? You can whip up a batch in 15 minutes flat—no oven required. Seriously, if you need a last-minute snack for movie night, a party, or just because it’s Tuesday, this no-bake Butterfinger puppy chow is your golden ticket. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked.

Why You’ll Love This Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Listen, this isn’t just any snack mix—it’s pure magic in a bowl. Here’s why you’ll go crazy for it:

• Effortless fun: No baking, no fuss—just melt, mix, and shake. Even my 8-year-old nephew can make it (though he tends to “sample” the Butterfingers before they make it into the bowl).
• Party superstar: Bring this to any gathering and watch it disappear faster than you can say “Butterfinger puppy chow.” I once caught my aunt sneaking thirds at Christmas.
• Nostalgia in every bite: That perfect crunch? The way the powdered sugar dusts your fingers? It tastes like childhood sleepovers and stolen moments by the snack table.
• Endless cravings: Fair warning—you’ll find yourself making excuses to whip up another batch. “Oh, it’s raining?” Puppy chow weather.

Seriously, this stuff is happiness you can eat by the handful.

Ingredients for Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Gather these simple ingredients—I promise you probably have most in your pantry already! The key is using fresh Butterfingers for maximum crunch. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (Corn Chex works too!)
• 1 cup Butterfinger candy bars, crushed (about 4 full-size bars)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural—it’s too runny!)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Pro tip: Measure the Butterfingers after crushing—those jagged pieces stack differently in a measuring cup!

Equipment Needed

You don’t need fancy gadgets for this Butterfinger puppy chow—just these basics:

• Microwave-safe bowl (or use a saucepan for stovetop melting)
• Spatula (silicone is my favorite—nothing sticks!)
• Large mixing bowl (big enough for serious tossing action)
• Airtight container (or a giant ziplock bag for shaking)

That’s it! Though I won’t judge if you sneak a spoon for “quality testing” along the way.

How to Make Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Alright, let’s get to the fun part—making this addictive Butterfinger puppy chow! I’ve made this so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step so yours turns out perfect. Just follow along and resist the urge to eat it all straight from the bowl (no promises though).

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate Mixture

First, grab that microwave-safe bowl and toss in your chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Pop it in the microwave and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each one. This prevents scorching—trust me, burnt chocolate is a tragedy we can avoid! If you’re going stovetop, use low heat and stir constantly until everything’s melted and silky smooth. Once it’s all liquid gold, stir in that vanilla extract. Oh, that smell? Heavenly.

Step 2: Coat the Cereal

Dump your Chex cereal into the biggest mixing bowl you’ve got—you’ll need the space! Pour that luscious chocolate mixture over the top and gently fold it all together with a spatula. Be patient here—you want every single piece coated, but don’t go wild stirring or you’ll end up with cereal crumbs instead of perfect little nuggets. I like to use a folding motion, almost like I’m tossing a salad, to keep everything intact.

Step 3: Add Butterfinger and Sugar

Now for the star of the show—sprinkle those crushed Butterfinger pieces over your chocolate-coated cereal and give it all a very gentle toss. Those candy bits are fragile! Next, sift your powdered sugar over the top (this prevents lumps) and either seal the bowl with a lid or transfer everything to a giant ziplock bag. Shake, shake, shake until every piece is evenly dusted with that sweet snowy coating. Let it cool completely before diving in—the waiting is torture, but it helps the flavors set up perfectly.

Tips for Perfect Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Want your Butterfinger puppy chow to be absolute perfection? These are my hard-earned secrets from years of snack mix disasters (and triumphs!):

• Fresh cereal is key: Stale Chex turns into sad, soggy bits. Always check the box date—your puppy chow is only as good as your crunchiest ingredient!
• Crush with care: Use a rolling pin or food processor to break Butterfingers into even pieces. Big chunks overpower bites, but dust-fine crumbs disappear—aim for pea-sized.
• Patience pays off: Let the mix cool completely (I wait 30 mins) before storing. Trapped heat = powdered sugar sludge. Spread it on a baking sheet to speed things up.
• Humidity is the enemy: Make this on dry days if possible. Moisture turns your glorious snack mix into a sticky science experiment.

Follow these, and you’ll be the MVP of every potluck—guaranteed.

Variations & Substitutions

One of the best things about Butterfinger puppy chow? It’s crazy adaptable! Here are my favorite twists:

• Chocolate swap: Use white chocolate chips for a sweeter version—it makes the Butterfinger really pop! Dark chocolate adds a sophisticated edge.
• Candy craze: Swap Butterfingers for Reese’s pieces or crushed peanut butter cups. (My sister swears by Snickers for a caramel kick.)
• Gluten-free: Just grab GF Chex—it works exactly the same. Boom, everyone can enjoy!
• Nut-free: Skip peanut butter and use sunflower seed butter instead, with crushed pretzels for salty crunch.

Mix it up—that’s half the fun! (Though I’ll always love the original best.)

Storage & Serving Suggestions

Here’s how to keep your Butterfinger puppy chow at its peak crunch:

• Storage: Toss it in an airtight container—I use big glass jars with clamps—for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!). The fridge makes it stale faster, so room temp is best.
• Serving: Pile it high in colorful bowls for movie nights, or pack cute mason jars with ribbon for gifts. Pro tip: Add a scoop to ice cream for next-level sundaes!

Butterfinger Puppy Chow Nutrition

Okay, let’s be real—this Butterfinger puppy chow isn’t exactly health food, but everything in moderation, right? Here’s the nutritional scoop per serving (about 1 cup) based on my standard recipe:

• Calories: 320 (Worth every single one!)
• Fat: 14g (Mostly from that glorious peanut butter and butter combo)
• Sugar: 25g (Thank the Butterfingers and powdered sugar for that—no surprises here!)
• Protein: 5g (Peanut butter power!)
• Carbs: 45g (Perfect for an energy boost during Netflix marathons)

Important note: These are estimates—actual numbers can vary based on exact ingredients and how generously you coat those Chex! Using dark chocolate or sugar-free alternatives? Your totals will change. And hey, if you’re anything like me, “serving size” might be… flexible. No judgment!

FAQs About Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about this addictively good Butterfinger puppy chow:

Can I freeze Butterfinger puppy chow?
Oh honey, no—freezing turns the cereal soggy and the powdered sugar into weird clumps. It’s best fresh! If you must store it longer, keep it airtight at room temp for up to 5 days (though good luck keeping it around that long).

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate gives a richer, less sweet vibe that balances the Butterfinger’s candy-bar punch beautifully. Just chop it fine so it melts evenly. White chocolate works too if you’re feeling extra decadent.

How do I prevent clumping?
Two words: cool completely. I spread mine on parchment-lined baking sheets for 30 minutes before adding the powdered sugar. Also, sift that sugar—no one wants lumpy puppy chow!

Can I make this ahead for a party?
For sure! Make it the night before—just wait to add the Butterfinger pieces until a few hours before serving so they stay crisp. Store components separately if you’re extra cautious.

Help—mine turned out too sweet!
Easy fix! Cut the powdered sugar to 1 cup next time, or use lightly sweetened cereal like Cheerios instead of Chex. You could even toss in some salty pretzel bits to balance things out.

Now go try this recipe and tell me your twist in the comments—I’m always looking for new excuses to make another batch!

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