**15 Minute Butterfinger Puppy Chow That’s Irresistibly Addictive**

Oh my gosh, do you remember those after-school snack mixes we’d demolish as kids? That sweet, crunchy, powdery mess that somehow tasted like pure joy? Well, my Butterfinger puppy chow is here to bring back those memories—but better. It’s got that perfect mix of chocolatey-peanut butter goodness with crunchy cereal and bits of Butterfinger candy that’ll have you sneaking handfuls straight from the bag.

This stuff couldn’t be easier to make—we’re talking 15 minutes, one bowl, and zero baking required. It’s become my go-to for last-minute parties, movie nights, or just…you know…Tuesday afternoons. Trust me, once you try this version with crushed Butterfingers mixed in, you’ll never go back to plain old puppy chow again.

Why You’ll Love This Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Let me count the ways this snack mix will steal your heart (and probably your willpower):

• Ready in 15 minutes flat – No oven, no fuss, just microwave magic
• The Butterfinger twist – Those crispy candy bits add insane texture and caramel-like flavor
• Totally customizable – Add more chocolate, swap cereals, or go nuts (literally)
• Instant crowd-pleaser – Disappears faster than you can say “pass the bowl”
• Tastes like childhood – But upgraded with that Butterfinger crunch we all crave

Seriously, this is snack mix royalty – easy enough for kids to help make but sophisticated enough for adult parties (though good luck sharing).

Ingredients for Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Here’s what you’ll need to make magic happen – and trust me, every ingredient plays a crucial role:

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (the classic base that holds all that goodness)
• 1 cup Butterfinger bars, crushed (I use the fun-size bars – about 8)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (quality matters here!)
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (not the natural kind – we need that stickiness)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (real butter, always)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (skip the imitation stuff)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, packed (this creates that iconic “puppy chow” look)

Pro tip: Measure your Butterfinger pieces after crushing – those candy bits should be pebble-sized, not powder!

How to Make Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Alright, let’s get messy! This process is so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making batches weekly. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be elbow-deep in powdered sugar glory in no time.

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate Mixture

Grab your biggest microwave-safe bowl (I use my trusty glass mixing bowl) and toss in the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Now, here’s the key – microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each one. That chocolate will try to trick you by holding its shape until you stir – don’t fall for it!

When the mixture is smooth as silk (usually about 2 minutes total), stir in that vanilla extract. Oh, that smell! Let it cool for just a minute – you want it warm enough to coat but not so hot it’ll make your cereal soggy.

Step 2: Coat the Cereal

Dump your Chex into the largest mixing bowl you own (I’m not kidding – go big or go home with this step). Pour that luscious chocolate mixture over the cereal and start folding gently with a rubber spatula. Pretend you’re tossing a salad – you want every single piece kissed by chocolate, but not smashed to bits.

Work quickly but carefully – the coating starts setting as it cools. If you see any dry spots, drizzle a little extra melted mixture from the bottom of the bowl. This is where the magic starts happening!

Step 3: Add Butterfinger and Sugar

Now for the grand finale! Sprinkle those glorious crushed Butterfinger pieces over your coated cereal and give it just a few gentle turns. Then, grab a gallon-sized ziplock bag (or two if needed) and pour in about a third of your mix with 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Here’s the secret: shake it like a polaroid picture, but not too hard! You want that sugary coating, not cereal dust. Dump it out onto parchment paper and repeat until all your puppy chow is beautifully dusted. Let it cool completely before diving in – I know it’s hard, but that Butterfinger crunch is worth the wait!

Expert Tips for Perfect Butterfinger Puppy Chow

After making this recipe approximately a zillion times (okay, maybe just dozens), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks:

• Sift that sugar – Powdered sugar clumps! A quick sift means smooth, even coating without those chalky pockets
• The airtight rule – Store in containers with tight lids or it’ll turn stale fast (not that it lasts long anyway)
• Gluten-free hack – Swap regular Chex for gluten-free Rice Chex – nobody will know the difference
• Cool completely – Patience rewards you with maximum Butterfinger crunch instead of melty candy bits

Bonus tip: Double the recipe. Seriously – you’ll regret it if you don’t!

Variations for Butterfinger Puppy Chow

Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite twists on this classic:

• White chocolate dream – Swap semi-sweet for white chocolate chips (so pretty with the orange Butterfinger bits!)
• Cereal switcheroo – Try Corn Chex for extra crunch or Cinnamon Chex for a spicy kick
• Nutty addition – Toss in chopped peanuts or pecans for grown-up texture
• Minty fresh – Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract with the vanilla for holiday vibes

The best part? No wrong answers – just more delicious excuses to make another batch!

Serving and Storing Butterfinger Puppy Chow

This stuff disappears fast, but if you somehow end up with leftovers (miracles happen!), store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Perfect for packing in cute little bags as gifts or setting out at parties—just be ready to refill that bowl constantly!

Butterfinger Puppy Chow Nutrition Information

Let’s keep it real – this is a treat, not health food! A 1/2 cup serving has about 220 calories, 18g sugar, and that glorious 10g of fat that makes it so darn addictive. These are rough estimates (who actually measures when snacking?), but it’s good to know what you’re diving into. Honestly, I’m usually too busy enjoying that Butterfinger crunch to count!

Common Questions About Butterfinger Puppy Chow

I’ve gotten so many questions about this addictive snack over the years—here are the big ones that keep popping up:

Can I freeze Butterfinger puppy chow? Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. The cereal loses its crispness when thawed, and the Butterfinger bits turn weirdly chewy. It’s so quick to make fresh—just whip up a new batch when the craving hits!

How long does it stay fresh? About a week in an airtight container at room temp—if it lasts that long! The powdered sugar might soak in a bit over time, but just give it a shake to refresh it.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter? You can, but it’ll change the flavor. Almond butter is more subtle, so you might want to add an extra pinch of salt. The texture also won’t be quite as sticky—maybe add an extra tablespoon of butter to compensate. Honestly though? Nothing beats classic peanut butter with those Butterfinger flavors!

Share Your Butterfinger Puppy Chow Experience

Did your batch disappear as fast as mine always does? Snap a pic of your Butterfinger puppy chow masterpiece (or what’s left of it!) and tell me how it turned out—I love seeing your twists on this classic!

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