Lemon Puppy Chow

Name: Lemon Puppy Chow
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 6 cups Rice Chex cereal; 4 tablespoons salted butter (melted); 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (divided); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 10 ounces white candy melts (vanilla-flavored); 2 - 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Loaded with sweet white chocolate and fresh citrusy tang, this easy lemon puppy chow will be hard to resist.

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Table of Contents

Let’s Dish: Lemon Muddy Buddies
Lemon Puppy Chow Ingredients
Lemon Muddy Buddy Mix Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Lemon Puppy Chow Recipe
How To Serve This Puppy Chow
Muddy Buddies Storage Tips
Lemon Puppy Chow Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Recipe Ideas You’ll Love
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If you’re craving a sweet, zesty snack, this lemon puppy chow is the perfect choice. Fresh lemon juice and zest bring a tangy brightness to every bite, while creamy white candy melts and powdered sugar create a sweet, crunchy coating. Quick to make and bursting with flavor, this citrusy twist on a classic treat is sure to become a favorite for any occasion.

A large white bowl of Lemon Puppy Chow with a wooden scoop in it full of the mixture.

Let’s Dish: Lemon Muddy Buddies

MAIN INGREDIENTS: Rice Chex cereal, salted butter, fresh lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, white candy melts, powdered sugar.

QUICK STEPS: Coat Rice Chex cereal with melted butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice; melt white candy melts and pour over cereal; toss with powdered sugar until evenly coated; sprinkle with remaining lemon zest and serve.

TOTAL TIME AND YIELD: 10 minutes, 6 servings.

Why This Recipe

Bright, fresh flavor: This recipe uses real lemon juice and fresh lemon zest to give the snack a vibrant, natural citrus flavor that stands out from other overly sweet versions.
Perfect coating technique: Our team of recipe developers tested the ratio of powdered sugar and candy melts to ensure every piece of cereal is evenly coated for the ideal crunch in every bite.
Quick and foolproof: With just ten minutes of prep time and simple steps, this recipe delivers consistent results, even for beginners.
Visually appealing: Sprinkling fresh lemon zest over the final product not only enhances the flavor but also adds a pop of color, making this treat look as good as it tastes.
Crowd-pleasing twist on a classic: The lemon flavor gives this puppy chow a refreshing spin that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or a light springtime snack.

Lemon Puppy Chow Ingredients

You’ll need these simple ingredients:

6 cups Rice Chex cereal
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 ounces white (vanilla flavored) candy melts
2 – 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Lemon Muddy Buddy Mix Substitutions And Additions

CHEX: You can substitute corn Chex for the rice Chex, or you can also use three cups corn Chex and three cups rice Chex.

MIX-INS: You could add Cheerios, pretzels, or other munchy snacks to this lemony snack mix. Just be sure to add your mix-ins after your lemon puppy chow is ready!

How To Make This Lemon Puppy Chow Recipe

STEP ONE: Using an extra-large mixing bowl, add in the six cups of Rice Chex. Set it aside.

STEP TWO: In a small mixing bowl, use a spoon to stir together the melted butter, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice.

Pour the butter mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently toss to coat the cereal evenly in the mixture.

the butter mixture is poured over the chex mix

STEP THREE: In a separate medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, add the white candy melts. Microwave on high for one minute.

Stir, then heat again in 30 second increments until the candy is melted and smooth. Be sure to stir the white candy discs between each heating in the microwave.

the candy melts are melted in a mixing bowl

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Make sure to melt the chocolate slowly, otherwise it may seize up. When there are only a few pieces of unmelted candy in the bowl, stir gently to finish melting them.

STEP FOUR: Pour the melted white vanilla candy over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently stir and toss together until the cereal is evenly coated.

STEP FIVE: Add one cup of the powdered sugar to the bowl of coated cereal and toss to coat all the cereal.

Add the remaining powdered sugar to create a thicker coating of the powdered sugar. The total amount of powdered sugar needed will depend on how well you want your puppy chow coated.

the powdered sugar is poured over the cereal.

PRO TIP:

Don’t overmix, chunks in this recipe are part of the fun. You also don’t want to break the Chex cereal.

STEP SIX: Transfer the lemon puppy chow to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining fresh lemon zest evenly over the puppy chow for added flavor and a pop of color.

How To Serve This Puppy Chow

Lemon buddies are a great alternative to popcorn for a movie treat or to serve instead of a bowl of chips at a party. Or you could add it to a selection of treats, including rainbow popcorn and peanut brittle.

Load up a Ziploc bag of this lemon-flavored puppy chow for a great snack on an adventure or a camping trip. Share it around the campfire for dessert after campfire nachos or campfire pizza.

This addictive treat comes in many flavors. Try our savory crockpot Chex mix and festive Christmas Chex mix.

Muddy Buddies Storage Tips

ON THE COUNTER: Store any lemon Chex puppy chow leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to five days.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend you freeze this lemon puppy chow treat. When it thaws, the texture may become soggy.

This lemon puppy chow is a great recipe for anyone looking to try a fun twist on regular Chex Mix. With its bright citrusy flavors, powdered sugar coating, and melted chocolate, it’s a crunchy snack that’s hard to resist. Each bite offers the perfect blend of tangy and sweet, making it a yummy treat for birthday gatherings, football parties, holidays, or just because. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or enjoying it yourself, this easy recipe is sure to become a favorite!

Lemon Puppy Chow Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to five days on the counter. If you are serving it for a party, it would be an easy thing to make in advance to free up your time on party day.

Does this need to be refrigerated?

Puppy chow can be kept in the refrigerator but doesn’t have to be. It can be kept on the counter just fine for about five days.

Why is this snack called puppy chow?

This treat is called puppy chow because it resembles puppy food. It is also often called muddy buddies or monkey munch.

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Lemon Puppy Chow

5 from 24 votes

Loaded with sweet white chocolate and fresh citrusy tang, this easy lemon puppy chow will be hard to resist.

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings

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Ingredients

6 cups Rice Chex cereal
4 tablespoons salted butter melted
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 ounces white candy melts vanilla-flavored
2 – 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Add the Rice Chex cereal to a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl stir together the melted butter, ½ teaspoon lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Pour the butter mixture over the Rice Chex cereal and gently toss to evenly coat all the cereal with the butter mixture.
In a separate medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the white candy melts and microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir, then heat again in 30 second increments, until the candy discs are melted and smooth. Be sure to stir the white candy melts between each heating in the microwave.
Pour the melted white vanilla-flavored candy over the Rice Chex cereal and gently toss until the cereal is evenly coated.
Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar to the bowl of coated cereal and toss to coat. Add the remaining 1 – 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar to create a thicker coating of the powdered sugar. The total amount of powdered sugar needed will depend on how well you would like your cereal coated.
Transfer the lemon puppy chow to a large serving bowl and sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest evenly over the puppy chow for added flavor and a pop of color.

Notes

Make sure to melt the chocolate slowly, otherwise it may seize up.
Don’t overmix, chunks in this recipe are part of the fun. You also don’t want to break the Chex cereal.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Lemon Puppy Chow