Lemon Puppy Chow

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

Table of Contents

Lemon Puppy Chow Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Lemon Puppy Chow Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

Contrary to the name, this irresistible lemon puppy chow is definitely a human treat. Tangy lemon zest, sweet white chocolate, and crunchy Chex cereal are tossed together for this fun snack that will find you licking the bowl clean.

close up overhead shot of a bowl of lemon puppy chow

Lemon Puppy Chow Ingredients

lemon puppy chow raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

10 cups of rice Chex (or generic version)
1½ cups of white baking chips (good quality baking chips are best, such as Ghirardelli)
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of freshly zested lemon (2 lemons)
2 teaspoons of lemon extract
2 cups of powdered sugar

Substitutions And Additions

BUTTER: You can substitute butter for vegetable oil, but the butter can cause the melted chips to become grainy.

LEMON EXTRACT: If you do not have lemon extract, you can substitute it with freshly squeezed lemon juice. You will need to add ¼ cup of powdered sugar as it will be a wetter coating.

CHEX: You can substitute corn Chex for the rice Chex, or you can also use 5 cups corn Chex and 5 cups rice Chex.

MIX-INS: You could add Cheerios, pretzels, or other munchy snacks to this lemony snack mix.

How To Make This Lemon Puppy Chow Recipe

STEP ONE: Using an extra-large mixing bowl, add in the 10 cups of rice Chex. Set it aside.

STEP TWO: Using a medium-sized heat-safe mixing bowl, add the white baking chips and the vegetable oil. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and heat for another 20 seconds. Stir until the mixture is smooth.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Make sure to melt the chocolate slowly, otherwise it may seize up.

white chocolate chips being melted in a bowl

STEP THREE: Stir in the lemon extract and lemon zest. Stir just until combined.

lemon extract and lemon zest stirred until combined then pour over rice Chex

STEP FOUR: Pour the white chocolate mixture over the rice Chex. Stir until the rice Chex is completely coated.

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 FIVE: Pour the coated rice Chex into either a 2-gallon Ziploc bag or divide the coated Chex into 2-gallon size Ziploc bags.

rice Chex in a ziploc bagging coated with powdered sugar

STEP SIX: Pour the powdered sugar into the baggie, seal the baggie, and shake to thoroughly coat.

STEP SEVEN: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

STEP EIGHT: Divide the coated puppy chow between the 2 baking sheets. Allow the puppy chow to rest for 20 minutes.

PRO TIP:

Try to lay it out in a single layer as best you can so it can cool and harden and not stick together. If you need to speed up the process, you can put your baking sheets in the refrigerator.

How To Serve

This lemon Chex puppy chow is 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 on 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.

Storage

ON THE COUNTER: Store any lemon Chex puppy chow leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 5 days.

IN THE FREEZER: Lemon puppy chow could also be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.

close up overhead shot of a bunch of lemon puppy chow

Light and fresh flavors make this lemon puppy chow snack mix a great option for the summer but don’t limit yourself. It would taste amazing any time of year for a party or to take on the go. Be warned before you dig in though, this crunchy treat is rather addictive!

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.

Can I freeze puppy chow?

You can store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Of course, that is if you don’t eat it all right away!

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.

More Recipes You’ll Love

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 15

Total Time 35

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

10 cups rice Chex, or generic version
1½ cup white baking chips, good quality baking chips are best – Ghirardelli
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons freshly zested lemon, 2 lemons
2 teaspoons lemon extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Using an extra-large mixing bowl, add in the 10 cups rice Chex. Set it aside.
Using a medium-sized heat-safe mixing bowl, add the white baking chips and the vegetable oil. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and heat for another 20 seconds. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
Stir in the lemon extract and lemon zest. Stir just until combined.
Pour the white chocolate mixture over the rice Chex. Stir until the rice Chex is completely coated.
Pour the coated rice Chex into either a 2-gallon Ziploc bag or divide the coated Chex into 2-gallon size Ziploc bags.
Pour the powdered sugar into the baggie, seal the baggie and shake to completely coat.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Divide the coated puppy chow between the 2 baking sheets. Allow the puppy chow to rest for 20 minutes.

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.
Try to lay it out in a single layer as best you can so it can cool and harden and not stick together. If you need to speed up the process, you can put your baking sheets in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb

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!