This pretzel-style Muddy Buddy is a popular crunchy candy confection you may also know as Monkey Munch, Muddy Buddies, Muddy Munch, or Puppy Chow, yes these are all the same homemade snack candy treats with the same concept recipe just substituting cereal for pretzels.

Thicker pretzels that are sturdier work better for this recipe than thin styles, we chose the square buttery pretzels and have also tried pretzel nuggets.

These delicious peanut butter and chocolate-coated pretzels are just perfect for gift-giving in pretty tins or decorated mason jars for the Christmas holiday.

We've also added some labels for Reindeer Chow from another previous year's post for making a little magical Christmas Day.

For these instructions and free labels for gift-giving, scroll down to the printable recipe card and print off this easy candy recipe!

powdered sugar coated chocolate peanut butter pretzels squares

chocolate and peanut butter covered pretzels square rolled in powdered sugar

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Pretzels Ideas and Mix-Ins

add nuts to the mix or candied coated nuts
substitute almond butter for allergies
add candy-coated chocolate for color after coating
mini reeses cups can be added after coating with sugar or another chopped candy bar you may like
substitute mint chocolate
crusted candy cane after coating
add popcorn popped after coating
add a medley of chocolate chips, white, peanut butter, mint
add pastels for Easter candy after coating
add autumn mix candy corn for Halloween
add dried fruits or chocolate-covered raisins, cranberries or another dried fruit after coating

chocolate melted with peanut butter over pretzel squares

Shopping List to Make Pretzel Muddy Buddies (hit print for the recipe measurements below in our recipe card)

peanut butter
butter
butter-flavored pretzel squares or nuggets
milk chocolate semi-sweet chocolate chips
butter
powdered sugar
colorful coated chocolate pieces in matching colors to your holiday or party theme

chocolate, peanut butter and butter ready to be melted together

Quick Tips on Making Muddy Buddy Pretzels

you will need a microwaveable bowl
melt chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave then stir
double bag your lunch bags with powdered sugar in them to keep from the bags breaking open on the bottom
any holiday can be transformed in colors just by using color-coordinated candies, crushed candy cane mint is a nice alternative for Christmas
dark white or milk chocolate can be used and white chocolate can be tinted with food coloring or use candy melts
any nut or seed butter can be substituted
for gift-giving, store in mason jars or in zip lock bags then into a pretty holiday tin for gift-giving
these are perfect for fundraisers, gift-giving, holidays, parties, and gender reveals with tinted white chocolate
the mix can be frozen ahead for up to 3 months in freeze zip lock bags
warmer climates need them to rest longer before storing so they don't get soggy or freeze them until ready to distribute for gift-giving, place flat on a cookie sheet when freezing on parchment paper then place them in freezer bags
any coated candy pieces other than M&M's can be used we used red and green for the holiday or mint-flavored
for outdoor reindeer magic, have the kids place a small amount of pretzel muddy buddies in front of your home on the lawn in a tin or in a secured ziplock bag on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning before the kids wake up, replace the bag with a fun toy, candy cane, etc.

assorted candies and gift wrap for muddy buddy gift giving

Prepare Your Work Area Ahead of Time

line two baking cookie sheets with parchment first before melting the chocolate mixture
add the powdered sugar to the lunch bags or plastic bag for shaking ahead of time
if needed continue adding more powdered sugar to the bags to evenly coat the pretzels you may need 3 to 4 cups of powdered sugar

free downloads for labels on snack food for Christmas

Free Labels for Reindeer Munch Bags CLICK HERE

Name: Muddy Buddy Pretzel Squares
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 47 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter any brand; 1 -1/4 cup milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed; 1/4 cup butter; 8 cups butter-flavored pretzel squares or nuggets; Powdered Sugar Garnish:; 3 cups and up to 4 cups powdered sugar; Optional Mix-in: candy-coated colored chocolate, candy-coated nut chocolates, peppermint candy canes chopped up, regular peanuts or another nut; Tools Needed; 1 large spoon; 1 glass bowl; 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper; 1 brown paper lunch bag or use a plastic ziplock bag (to shake the coated pretzels with

collage of all the ingredients for muddy buddy aka puppy chow

Pin for Later

Pretzels to Use For Muddy Buddies

Thin pretzels do not hold up well and break easily, so I do not recommend the stick form.

Squares (our favorite is the butter-flavored) or nuggets are the best to use in this recipe.

For a spice flavor add a little cinnamon to the chocolate and peanut butter mixture.

muddy buddy pretzel squares, muddy buddy pretzel recipe, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter chocolate covered pretzels

candy recipe, pretzel candy recipe, easy candy recipes, snack recipes

American

Yield: 35

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Muddy Buddy Pretzel Squares

These are a delicious candy snack with peanut butter, and chocolate-covered pretzel squares that are rolled into powdered sugar.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 2 MinInactive time: 35 MinTotal time: 47 Min

Ingredients

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter any brand
1 -1/4 cup milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed
1/4 cup butter
8 cups butter-flavored pretzel squares or nuggets
Powdered Sugar Garnish:
3 cups and up to 4 cups powdered sugar
Optional Mix-in: candy-coated colored chocolate, candy-coated nut chocolates, peppermint candy canes chopped up, regular peanuts or another nut
Tools Needed
1 large spoon
1 glass bowl
2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper
1 brown paper lunch bag or use a plastic ziplock bag (to shake the coated pretzels with

Instructions

In a medium-sized bowl, add the peanut butter, chocolate, and butter. Microwave for around 1 minute and 30 seconds stirring halfway. Continue and stir again until no lumps remain and the mixture is smooth.
Place the pretzels in a large bowl, pour the smooth mixture over the pretzels, and gently keep turning with a spoon or spatula until well coated.
Fill the ziplock bag with around 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.
Using a spoon add half the pretzel mixture close the bag and shake to coat evenly.
Place on the cookie sheet, if there are any stuck together, pull them apart and coat them with more powdered sugar.
Do the same with remaining sugar and pretzels then add them to the second sheet.
If you need more powdered sugar sprinkle on top and roll them by hand until well coated. Let dry or place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
These should be placed in an airtight container.

Notes

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Pretzels Ideas and Mix-Ins

add nuts to the mix or candied coated nuts
substitute almond butter for allergies
add candy-coated chocolate for color after coating
mini reeses cups can be added after coating with sugar or another chopped candy bar you may like
substitute mint chocolate
crusted candy cane after coating
add popcorn popped after coating
add a medley of chocolate chips, white, peanut butter, mint
add pastels for Easter candy after coating
add autumn mix candy corn for Halloween
add dried fruits or chocolate-covered raisins, cranberries or another dried fruit after coating

Quick Tips on Making Muddy Buddy Pretzels

you will need a microwaveable bowl
melt chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave then stir
double bag your lunch bags with powdered sugar in them to keep from the bags breaking open on the bottom
any holiday can be transformed in colors just by using color-coordinated candies, crushed candy cane mint is a nice alternative for Christmas
dark white or milk chocolate can be used and white chocolate can be tinted with food coloring or use candy melts
any nut or seed butter can be substituted
for gift-giving, store in mason jars or in zip lock bags then into a pretty holiday tin for gift-giving
these are perfect for fundraisers, gift-giving, holidays, parties, and gender reveals with tinted white chocolate
the mix can be frozen ahead for up to 3 months in freeze zip lock bags
warmer climates need them to rest longer before storing so they don't get soggy or freeze them until ready to distribute for gift-giving, place flat on a cookie sheet when freezing on parchment paper then place them in freezer bags
any coated candy pieces other than M&M's can be used we used red and green for the holiday or mint-flavored
for outdoor reindeer magic, have the kids place a small amount of pretzel muddy buddies in front of your home on the lawn in a tin or in a secured ziplock bag on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning before the kids wake up, replace the bag with a fun toy, candy cane, etc.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

323.78

Fat (grams)

8.81 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2.12 g

Carbs (grams)

55.96 g

Fiber (grams)

2.15 g

Net carbs

53.82 g

Sugar (grams)

23.24 g

Protein (grams)

5.5 g

Sodium (milligrams)

417.92 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

4.03 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.