Pistachio puppy chow is everything you want in a snack—sweet, crunchy, and a little nutty. With crispy rice cereal, chopped pistachios, and a generous coating of white chocolate, pistachio muddy buddies are perfect for a delicious holiday gift or festive party treat.

What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy Chow, also known as “Muddy Buddies,” is a holiday favorite made by coating Rice Chex cereal in melted butter, milk chocolate, and creamy peanut butter before tossing the cereal mixture with powdered sugar to give the no-bake dessert its classic powdery look.
Pistachio puppy chow is a unique spin on the classic puppy chow recipe. The cereal and pistachios are coated in melted butter and white chocolate and finished with powdered sugar and pistachio pudding mix for extra pistachio flavor and a subtle green color.
Key Ingredients
- Rice Chex Cereal: Rice Chex cereal is the classic base for puppy chow because it holds onto the coating without becoming soggy. Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, or Crispix cereal are tasty alternatives.
- Pistachios: Shelled pistachios add a nutty flavor and additional crunch.
- Powdered Sugar: Give the snack mix a powdery coating using powdered sugar.
- Pistachio Pudding Mix: Instant pistachio pudding mix gives the powdered sugar mixture a festive green tint and sweet pistachio flavor.
- Butter: Use salted butter to balance the sweetness of the pistachio puppy chow.
- Chocolate Chips: Melting white chocolate chips helps the pistachio pudding mix color stand out. However, you can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips or melting wafers for the chocolate coating if that’s what you have on hand.
Additions and Substitutions
- Get creative with mix-ins. Add mini chocolate chips, dried cranberries, holiday M&M’s, or sprinkles to turn your pistachio puppy chow into a festive treat for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, or Christmas.
How to Make Pistachio Puppy Chow
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Toss the Rice Chex cereal and chopped pistachios in a large mixing bowl and set it aside.

Step 2: Then, combine the powdered sugar and pistachio pudding powder in a plastic bag or silicone bag.

Step 3: Melt the salted butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the white chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth.

Step 4: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and pistachios, stirring gently to coat the pieces evenly.

Step 5: Let the mixture cool slightly—just enough so you can handle it without the coating hardening. Transfer half of the cereal into the bag with the powdered sugar mixture. Shake or stir until evenly coated. Set it aside and repeat with the remaining cereal.

Step 6: Spread the coated cereal mixture onto a baking sheet to cool and harden before serving. Enjoy!


Expert Tips
- Use a low temperature. Melt the butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir until smooth and combined. Then, remove the mixture from the heat. Avoid overheating, as it can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy.
- Stir gently. Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal. Be careful not to crush the cereal as you coat it.
- Cool the cereal slightly. Set the chocolate-coated cereal aside for 3-5 minutes before tossing it with the sugar and pudding mix. You want to let the cereal cool enough so it doesn’t absorb the powdered sugar.
- Coat in batches. Work in batches to toss the cereal with the powdered sugar mixture so you coat the pieces evenly.
- Chill before serving. Spread the cereal onto a prepared baking sheet to cool completely before serving or storing it to prevent the pieces from clumping together.
If you enjoy this pistachio puppy chow recipe, try one of these dessert favorites!

Serving Suggestions
- Serve a snack bowl. Serve the pistachio puppy chow in a big bowl, perfect for parties, movie nights, or casual gatherings. Divide the snack mix into cups for individual grab-and-go snacks.
- Build a puppy chow bar. Create a DIY snack bar by setting out bowls with mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, and different candies so guests can customize their puppy chow.
- Make trail mix. Turn the puppy chow into trail mix by tossing it with pretzels, mixed nuts, and M&M’s. It’s an ideal snack for road trips and outdoor adventures like picnics and hiking.
- Share the love. Package the puppy chow in festive containers, mason jars, or gift bags. It’s a perfect treat for a thoughtful holiday gift for friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Storage: Store the pistachio puppy chow in an airtight container for one week at room temperature—if it lasts that long!
- Freeze: Transfer the leftover puppy chow to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will freeze for 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it muddy buddies or puppy chow?
Muddy Buddies and Puppy Chow are different names for the same classic treat. While the name changes from region to region, the recipe is generally the same.
The name “Puppy Chow” comes from the snack’s likeness to dog food (gross, I know). Rest assured, pistachio puppy chow is crafted with humans in mind, and it’s perfect for parties, gatherings, or a quick snack at home.
Why is my puppy chow soggy?
If your puppy chow turns out soggy, it could be because the coated cereal didn’t cool enough before tossing it with powdered sugar. The cereal should cool slightly—just enough for the sugar to stick without absorbing. After coating the cereal, don’t forget to spread it onto a baking sheet to cool completely before serving or storing it.
More Snack Recipes:

Pistachio Puppy Chow
- Plastic Bag or Silicone Bag
- 6 cups Rice Chex Cereal
- ½ cup shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
- 1½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) pistachio pudding mix
- ⅓ cup salted butter
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Toss the Rice Chex cereal and chopped pistachios in a large mixing bowl and set it aside. Then, combine the powdered sugar and pistachio pudding powder in a plastic bag or silicone bag.
- Melt the salted butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the white chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and pistachios, stirring gently to coat the pieces evenly.
- Let the mixture cool slightly—just enough so you can handle it without the coating hardening. Transfer half of the cereal into the bag with the powdered sugar mixture. Shake or stir until evenly coated. Set it aside and repeat with the remaining cereal.
- Spread the coated cereal mixture onto a baking sheet to cool and harden before serving. Enjoy!
- Use a low temperature. Melt the butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir until smooth and combined. Then, remove the mixture from the heat. Avoid overheating, as it can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy.
- Stir gently. Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal. Be careful not to crush the cereal as you coat it.
- Cool the cereal slightly. Set the chocolate-coated cereal aside for 3-5 minutes before tossing it with the sugar and pudding mix. You want to let the cereal cool enough so it doesn’t absorb the powdered sugar.
- Coat in batches. Work in batches to toss the cereal with the powdered sugar mixture so you coat the pieces evenly.
- Chill before serving. Spread the cereal onto a prepared baking sheet to cool completely before serving or storing it to prevent the pieces from clumping together.