Name: St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: white almond bark – 24 ounces (divided 18oz and 6oz); rice chex cereal – 11 cups (divided 8 cups and 3 cups); creamy peanut butter – 1/2 cup; green food coloring – 5-10 drops or gel equivalent; powdered sugar – 1 cup; gold sanding sugar – 1/4 cup

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St. Patrick’s Day is one of those cheerful celebrations that calls for a little creativity in the kitchen. Among all the festive treats, St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow truly steals the show with its delightful flavors and vibrant colors. This sweet snack combines the crunch of Rice Chex with creamy peanut butter and white almond bark, transforming it into a snack that’s both fun and irresistible. As the green and gold pieces mix together, you can’t help but envision a joyful gathering, snacks in hand, as everyone digs into this tasty delight.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

I first discovered puppy chow years ago during a St. Patrick’s Day party, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite! The combination of textures—from the crisp cereal pieces to the melt-in-your-mouth coating—creates a party in your mouth. Plus, it’s a breeze to whip up! This recipe is not just easy to make; it’s also budget-friendly and a surefire way to win over both kids and adults alike. So, whether you’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day bash or just looking for a tasty snack, I invite you to try this enchanting treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: You can whip up this treat in just 15 minutes of prep time—perfect for last-minute snack cravings!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy peanut butter, sweet almond bark, and the light crunch of Chex is simply addicting.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant green and gold make this Puppy Chow a standout at any gathering.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for parties, snack tables, or a sweet treat for movie night.
Diet-Friendly Options: This recipe can be easily adapted for dairy-free or gluten-free diets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

24 ounces white almond bark: Used for coating the Chex and giving it a creamy, sweet flavor. Chopping it into small pieces helps it melt evenly. You can also substitute with white chocolate if desired.
11 cups rice Chex cereal: The base of this snack, providing a crunchy texture. It’s gluten-free, making it a great option for many.
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: Adds richness and a nutty flavor. For a nut-free version, use sun butter or any seed butter.
5-10 drops green food coloring: Essential for creating that festive clover green. Gel food coloring works well for vibrant color without altering texture.
1 cup powdered sugar: This sweetener helps create a delightful coating for the Chex, ensuring a sugary final touch that everyone adores.
1/4 cup gold sanding sugar: Offers a beautiful sparkle to your Puppy Chow and completes the St. Patrick’s Day theme.

How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

Prepare Pans: Start by lining two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper. This will make clean-up easy and prevent the Puppy Chow from sticking.

Prepare Green Cereal: In a very large mixing bowl, place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal. This is where the magic begins, as you’ll soon coat these crunchy pieces in a delightful green mixture.

Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped white almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave for about 60 seconds, give it a stir, and then heat in 30-second bursts until it’s smooth and well-combined.

Color the Coating: Add 5-10 drops of green food coloring to the melted mixture. Stir until the mixture reaches a bright “clover” green shade—this is a fun step that brings the St. Patrick’s Day spirit right into your kitchen!

Coat Green Pieces: Carefully pour the green coating over the 8 cups of cereal. Gently fold until every piece is covered in the creamy, green goodness.

Add Sugar: Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered sugar over the green-coated cereal. Fold the mixture for about 3-5 minutes until the sugar is well-distributed and the pieces are separated and dry.

Spread on Pans: Transfer the green Puppy Chow to the first lined sheet pan, spreading it out to cool and set.

Prepare Gold Cereal: In another mixing bowl, add the remaining 3 cups of Rice Chex cereal, waiting for the second sweet coating.

Melt Gold Coating: In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 6 ounces of white almond bark until smooth, similar to how you melted the green bark.

Coat Gold Pieces: Drizzle the melted almond bark over the 3 cups of cereal in the second bowl. Stir until every piece is thoroughly coated.

Add Gold Sparkle: Immediately sprinkle 1/4 cup of gold sanding sugar over the wet white cereal, tossing gently to ensure that all sides are covered in shimmer.

Cool and Mix: Allow both pans to sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature, or pop them in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to hasten the process. Once set, break apart any clumps and mix together the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.

Storing & Reheating

Store St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week. If you want to keep it fresh longer, you can refrigerate it, using a sealed container to maintain its crunchiness. For longer storage, freeze the Puppy Chow for up to 3 months. Just ensure it’s in a freezer-safe container. To refresh and restore some crunch, simply leave it out at room temperature for a bit or microwave in short bursts.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid clumping by stirring gently when coating the Chex cereal; patience is key!
Be sure to melt the almond bark slowly in the microwave to prevent scorching, which can affect the flavor and texture.
For even coats, work quickly when adding powdered sugar and mix until every piece is well-covered.
If your mixture gets too thick, heat it gently in the microwave for a few seconds to restore its smooth texture before coating.
Feel free to experiment with different colors or sprinkles for special occasions—your creativity is your only limit!

St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is not only a visual spectacle but also a treat that promises to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a delicious snack that you can enjoy any time of the year, though it shines extra bright during St. Patrick’s Day festivities. I encourage you to gather your loved ones and whip up a batch today. You won’t regret it!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this Puppy Chow ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow up to a week in advance. Just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and flavorful. It makes for a great treat that you can just grab whenever you need a quick sweet bite.

Can I use a different kind of cereal?

Definitely! While Rice Chex gives a perfect crunch, you can swap it with corn Chex or even a gluten-free cereal to fit your dietary needs. Just ensure it’s comparable in size and texture to maintain that beloved Puppy Chow crunch.

What if I don’t have almond bark?

If almond bark is unavailable, white chocolate is an excellent substitute. Just be cautious when melting, as it can scorch more easily than almond bark. Stir frequently through the melting process for the best results.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep it extra fresh, refrigerate it for a week or freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to bring it back to room temperature before digging in for maximum crunch!

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St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 11 servings
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Mixing and Melting
Cuisine: American

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Description

Get ready for a delightful treat with St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow! This easy-to-make snack combines crunchy Rice Chex coated in green almond bark and creamy peanut butter, perfect for celebrating any occasion with flavor and fun.

Ingredients

white almond bark – 24 ounces (divided 18oz and 6oz)
rice chex cereal – 11 cups (divided 8 cups and 3 cups)
creamy peanut butter – 1/2 cup
green food coloring – 5-10 drops or gel equivalent
powdered sugar – 1 cup
gold sanding sugar – 1/4 cup

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Instructions

Prepare Pans: Line two large half-sheet pans with parchment paper or wax paper and set them aside.
Prepare Green Cereal: Place 8 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a very large mixing bowl.
Melt Green Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 18 ounces of chopped almond bark and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, and continue in 30-second bursts until smooth.
Color the Coating: Stir in green food coloring until the mixture reaches your desired “clover” green shade.
Coat Green Pieces: Pour the green mixture over the 8 cups of cereal. Fold gently until every piece is covered.
Add Sugar: Add the powdered sugar to the bowl and fold for 3-5 minutes until the green shows through and the pieces are dry and separated. Spread on the first sheet pan.
Prepare Gold Cereal: Place 3 cups of Rice Chex in a separate mixing bowl.
Melt Gold Coating: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of almond bark in the microwave until smooth.
Coat Gold Pieces: Pour the melted bark over the cereal and stir until coated. Spread onto the second sheet pan.
Add Gold Sparkle: Immediately sprinkle the gold sanding sugar over the wet white cereal, tossing gently to cover all sides.
Cool and Mix: Let both pans sit for 30-60 minutes (or refrigerate for 15 minutes) until set. Break apart any clumps and combine the green and gold pieces in a large serving bowl.