Go Back

White Chocolate Patriotic Puppy Chow

White Chocolate Patriotic Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack mix coated in melted white chocolate and tossed in powdered sugar for a confetti-like finish. Folding the cereal into the hot white chocolate creates an even coating, then festive red, white, and blue candies add a patriotic crunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Rice Chex cereal
  • 8 cup Rice Chex cereal
white chocolate chips
  • 12 oz white chocolate chips
unsalted butter
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened or cut into small pieces
vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
powdered sugar
  • 1.5 cup powdered sugar
red, white, and blue candy-coated chocolates
  • 0.5 cup red, white, and blue candy-coated chocolates
patriotic sprinkles
  • 0.25 cup patriotic sprinkles
red and blue M&M's
  • 0.5 cup red and blue M&M's

Equipment

  • 1 microwave-safe bowl

Method
 

Coat the cereal
  1. Place 8 cups Rice Chex cereal in a very large mixing bowl.
  2. Add 12 oz white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup unsalted butter to a microwave-safe bowl.
  3. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted (cue: glossy, no lumps).
  4. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract until evenly combined.
  5. Pour the white chocolate mixture over the cereal.
  6. Gently fold until every piece is evenly coated (cue: no dry cereal patches visible).
Toss with powdered sugar
  1. Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag.
  2. Add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar to the bag.
  3. Shake until all pieces are coated and powder clings evenly to the cereal (cue: white, lightly dusted coating on most pieces).
Cool and decorate
  1. Spread the puppy chow onto parchment paper to cool completely for 30 minutes (cue: chocolate looks set and no longer sticky).
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup red, white, and blue candy-coated chocolates, 1/4 cup patriotic sprinkles, and 1/2 cup red and blue M&M's.
  3. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for later snacking.

Notes

Pro tip: after microwaving the chocolate, let it cool for 1–2 minutes before pouring so it coats the cereal without turning overly runny. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days; for best texture, let it sit at room temperature 10 minutes before serving. Freezing: yes, freeze in a sealed container up to 1 month (thaw at room temperature). For a gluten-free swap, use a certified gluten-free corn cereal in place of Rice Chex.