What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table (2024)

What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table (1)

Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

ByGreta Pano

Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies, is made of chocolate and peanut butter-coated Chex cereal doused in powdered sugar. A perfect no-bake treat with strong Midwestern ties, Puppy Chow is always a hit at potlucks and holiday parties and is incredibly easy to make. While it's been around for decades, the origins of this addicting snack remain unclear. Based on anecdotes from Midwesterners, many people attribute Puppy Chow's beginnings to some time in the 1960s and have childhood memories of making it at home, in Girl Scout troops, or in home economics classes.

While people in other parts of the country might look at you funny if you told them you're eating Puppy Chow, citizens of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas would know that it's not actual dog food you're eating. Puppy Chow is often said to be named for its semblance to canine kibble, but its name origin may actually go deeper than that. While the inventor of Puppy Chow and the reason for its name are uncertain, there is an interesting story behind the recipe that deserves recognition.

Puppy chow, Chex cereal, and Purina pet food

What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table (2)

P Maxwell Photography/Shutterstock

Is it called Puppy Chow because it simply resembles dog food? Or is it because Ralston Purina (the makers of Purina pet food) actually invented Chex, the cereal used to make the chocolatey peanut buttery treat for humans? In 1926, Purina launched its first dog food called Purina Dog Chow. "Chow" was in reference to the term "military chow,"which was used to describe the food given to service members during WWI.

Branching into human food, in the mid to late 1930s, the Ralston Purina Company introduced Shredded Ralston cereal, the precursor to Rice Chex — which came out in the early 1950s. The early cereal boxes displayed the red and white checkerboard that is still Purina's logo today and is where the name "Chex" came from. Whether Puppy Chow is named for its Purina pet food connection is up for debate, but either way, it's still fun to know that a dog food company invented a central part of this delicious snack.

In 2002 General Mills developed Muddy Buddies, the same recipe as Puppy Chow. But it can't be said that General Mills invented the recipe since Midwesterners recall seeing it and eating it long before the early 2000s.Today, you can buy prepackaged Muddy Buddies in different varieties including the classic Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, and Brownie Supreme.

How to make this Midwestern party staple

What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table (3)

Stefani Stamova/Shutterstock

Another great perk of this nostalgic snack is how easily it can be made by adults and children alike. Perfect for every occasion from potlucks, barbeques, and holiday parties to troop meetings, movie nights, and middle-school sleepovers, Puppy Chow can easily be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

For a basic Puppy Chow recipe, you simply pour one box of your Chex of choice into a large bowl. Then, combine two cups of semisweet chocolate chips, three-quarter cups of creamy peanut butter, and one-third of a cup of cubed butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir, then repeat until everything is melted. Pour the mixture over the cereal and gently stir. Finally, pour the cereal and confectioner's (powdered) sugar into an airtight container and shake to evenly coat it.

To prevent your powdery Puppy Chow coating from clumping, after pouring the warm chocolate-peanut butter mixture on the Chex, you can put it in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to cool down before shaking it up with the powdered sugar. That way, the sugar will spread evenly over the squares instead of melting into the warm chocolate and peanut butter mix.

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What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

What Actually Is Puppy Chow And Why Is It Called That? - Tasting Table? ›

Puppy chow, the human food, is made by pouring melted butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips over Chex

Chex
Chex is an American brand of breakfast cereal currently manufactured by General Mills. It was originally known as Shredded Ralston, first produced in 1936 and owned by Ralston Purina of St. Louis, Missouri, then later renamed Chex in 1950.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Chex
cereal, mixing well, then dumping the mixture into a bag full of powdered sugar.

Why do they call it puppy chow? ›

How Puppy Chow Got Its Name. Chex cereal, originally made by the Ralston Purina Company, debuted in grocery stores in 1937. Because the company referred to their dog food as “dog chow” and cat food as “cat chow,” they jokingly called their new cereal line “human chow,” according to Taste.

What is puppy chow slang for? ›

Slang for Heroin

Black tar, smack, H, Negra/o, puppy chow, dog food, onyx, beat, BT, black girl and the frequently used term “sh*t” all reference Heroin.

What is the history of puppy chow snack? ›

Puppy chow is thought to have originated in the Midwest, and Chex quickly caught wind of how their product was being enjoyed. They published a recipe for “Muddy Buddies” on their boxes to capitalize on the popularity of the snack.

What does puppy chow taste like? ›

We're taking Chex cereal, coating it in chocolate and peanut butter, and tossing it in powdered sugar. It's a bit like dessert Chex Mix, and a whole lot of YUM. I grew up making and eating puppy chow, and it's always been a staple at our house, especially during the holidays.

Is puppy chow only a Midwest thing? ›

Puppy chow is a party staple in the Midwest, but not everywhere else. Puppy chow — a snack mix made of Chex cereal covered in melted chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar — is often a fixture at parties. People outside of the Midwest have often never heard of it, and they don't know what they're missing.

What is puppy chow called in other states? ›

Monkey Munch

What does it mean when a guy says chow? ›

IPA guide. When you greet a friend informally, you can use the word ciao. You might call out, "Ciao!"and wave as your brother steps off the train at the station. While ciao, pronounced "chow," is a casual Italian salutation that can mean both "hello" and "goodbye," most English speakers understand it as well.

Where did the phrase chow come from? ›

The word chow is an informal way to say "food" or "meal." Someone happily gobbling tacos might say, "I just love Mexican chow," or your dad might open up a pizza delivery box and yell, "Time for chow, everybody!" Chow is an American English word that originated in California around 1856, from the Chinese pidgin English ...

What does chow down mean eating? ›

to eat, especially in an informal situation: Diners stare at the TV as they chow down.

Is Puppy Chow an American thing? ›

Ever heard of puppy chow? This sweet chocolate snack mix hails from America, where it is also known as 'muddy buddies'.

Why is Puppy Chow so good? ›

Nutty, sweet, salty, and creamy, these nuggets of pure indulgence are paramount to all other flavor combinations. The inventor was probably a well-intentioned mother who would never sell the purity of puppy chow for personal gain, but it could have just as easily been invented in a government lab.

What's the difference between muddy buddies and Puppy Chow? ›

What is the difference between Puppy Chow and Muddy Buddies? This treat is called Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies depending on the region. There is no distinction between the two recipes, it is just one recipe that goes by two names. It is also sometimes called Muddy Munch, Reindeer Chow or Puppy Food.

What is chex mix snack called? ›

There are many recipes (often printed on Chex cereal boxes) for homemade Chex Mix, also known as Chex Party Mix, which predates the commercial version by thirty-odd years. Though contents vary, the mixes generally include an assortment of Chex cereals, chips, hard breadsticks, pretzels, nuts or bagel bites.

Where is puppy chow popular? ›

Puppy Chow, also known as Muddy Buddies, is a popular snack in the Midwest that's fun to make and eat all year long, but especially around the holidays.

What age is puppy chow for? ›

Breed size matters
Breed SizeWeightRecommended time to switch to adult food
Small Breeds4-20 pounds6-9 months
Medium Breeds20-50 pounds12-16 months
Large Breeds50-80 pounds18-24 months
Giant Breeds80+ pounds24 months

Why do they call it chow? ›

The word chow is an informal way to say "food" or "meal." Someone happily gobbling tacos might say, "I just love Mexican chow," or your dad might open up a pizza delivery box and yell, "Time for chow, everybody!" Chow is an American English word that originated in California around 1856, from the Chinese pidgin English ...

Why is a chow dog called a chow? ›

The name Chow Chow may derive from an English term used in the 19th century to refer to cargo from East Asia; however, some sources note that it may derive from the Chinese word for “edible.” The Chow Chow is built compactly, with a large head and a thick coat that forms a dense ruff about the neck.

Is puppy chow a Michigan thing? ›

The “puppy chow belt” runs through Wisconsin and Michigan, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

What is the difference between puppy chow and dog chow? ›

Puppy food also has more amino acids, fat, and minerals than adult dog food. Some brands even add extra omega-3 fatty acids to puppy food to help with brain and eye development. On top of all of this, large-breed puppies have additional special needs.

References

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