Keto Puppy Chow Recipe: Low-Carb Muddy Buddies Snack

Whether you call it Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies, or “that amazing mix of peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar,” you’ll fall in love with this Keto Puppy Chow. It captures the classic flavors while keeping carbs low — about 3 grams net carbs per serving.

keto candy chocolate covered keto puppy chow

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Keto Puppy Chow

Prediction: this recipe will become a keto favorite.

It may sound dramatic, but this version is so satisfying I think it will help a lot of people stick with keto. The flavors are spot-on, and it delivers the same comforting combination of chocolate and peanut butter that everyone loves.

I tested this Keto Candy on friends who don’t follow keto and the reaction was the same: instant love. The batch vanished fast, and people kept coming back for more.

This recipe is a keto-friendly copycat of Muddy Buddies / Puppy Chow — the classic mix of chocolate, peanut butter, cereal, and powdered sugar. (This is a treat for people, not for dogs.)

overhead view of keto puppy chow spread out on a baking sheet

Traditional cereal and powdered sugar aren’t keto-friendly, so I created a low-carb version that mimics the texture and taste. Personally, I prefer this one to the original.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Puppy Chow Recipe

  • It tastes like the original.
  • It’s ready in under an hour.
  • It satisfies chocolate and peanut butter cravings with a small serving.

Note: Do NOT feed this to dogs. It is intended for humans only.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Almond flour
  • Unsweetened macaroon coconut or finely processed unsweetened coconut
  • Stevia
  • Swerve Confectioners (or another powdered erythritol sweetener)
  • Coconut oil
  • Vanilla extract
  • Large eggs
  • Unsweetened peanut butter
  • Butter
  • ChocZero milk chocolate chips (recommended)

bag of choczero milk chocolate chips

How to Make Keto Puppy Chow — Quick Overview

This overview summarizes the process. For full details and exact measurements, see the recipe card at the end.

The recipe has two parts: 1) make the keto “Chex” cereal and 2) turn that cereal into Keto Muddy Buddies. The cereal itself is a great low-carb snack or breakfast when mixed with unsweetened almond milk and a little stevia.

Make the Keto Cereal

keto puppy chow collage of cereal creation steps

Step 1: Preheat the oven. Combine dry ingredients, then mix in the wet ingredients to form a thick, sticky batter.

Step 2: Spread the batter thinly and evenly on a non-stick cookie sheet or a silicone baking mat. The thinner it is, the crunchier the cereal will be, but it works even if it’s not perfectly thin.

Step 3: Bake 9–12 minutes until the edges lightly brown.

Step 4: Let it cool slightly, flip the baked “mat,” and cut into thin strips, then into Chex-sized pieces.

Step 5: Return the cut pieces to the oven and bake another 6–10 minutes until cooked through but not burned. Let cool — the pieces will firm up as they cool.

The cereal is ready to use in the next step or enjoy on its own.

Make the Keto Muddy Buddies

keto puppy chow overhead view of final dessert process steps

Step 1: Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

Step 2: Microwave for one minute, stir in vanilla, and mix until smooth.

Step 3: Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the cereal until everything is evenly coated.

Step 4: Transfer the coated cereal to a large zip-top bag, add Swerve Confectioners, seal, and shake until coated.

Step 5: Spread the coated pieces on a cookie sheet and chill at least 15 minutes before serving. Swerve dissolves a bit when wet, so the coating may be less stark white than traditional powdered sugar, but the flavor remains true. If you want a whiter appearance, dust a little extra Swerve just before the coating sets.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy.

closeup of keto puppy chow on a white serving platter

Keto Puppy Chow Without Coconut

If you prefer no coconut, use this cereal mix alternative:

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1 1/8 tsp stevia
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs

Servings

This recipe makes 15 servings of about 1/3 cup each. Weighing the finished batch and dividing by 15 gives the most accurate serving size.

side view of pile of keto puppy chow with bite taken out of one piece on top

Each serving is approximately 3g net carbs. A 1/3-cup portion is quite satisfying. If you want more, 3g net carbs per serving gives a bit of flexibility for an extra taste or two. For comparison, traditional Puppy Chow is around 29g net carbs per serving.

FAQs

How many carbs does Puppy Chow have?

Traditional Puppy Chow is about 29g net carbs per serving. This keto version is roughly 3g net carbs per serving.

Why is it called puppy chow?

The origin of the name is unclear. The snack has been popular in the Midwest for decades and goes by multiple names, including Muddy Buddies. General Mills has marketed a version called Muddy Buddies commercially.

What is Puppy Chow made of?

The classic ingredients are:

  • Chex-style cereal (or a cereal substitute)
  • Peanut butter
  • Chocolate
  • Powdered sweetener
  • Butter

Nutrition Facts (per serving, 15 servings)

  • 235 calories
  • 20g fat
  • 6g protein
  • 3g net carbs

More Keto Desserts

If you enjoy keto treats, try other favorites like keto cookies, keto chocolate desserts, or keto cheesecakes.

Like This Post? Share It

If you enjoyed this Keto Muddy Buddies recipe, please share it — I appreciate it!

keto candy chocolate covered keto puppy chow

Keto Puppy Chow

A decadent low-carb take on classic Puppy Chow, also called Keto Muddy Buddies.
5 from 36 votes

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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Western
Keyword: keto candy, keto dessert, keto puppy chow, puppy chow healthy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 235kcal

Ingredients

Keto cereal ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened macaroon coconut (or finely processed unsweetened coconut)
  • 1 tsp stevia
  • 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs

Keto Muddy Buddies ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp ChocZero milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter
  • 2 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup Swerve Confectioners sweetener (plus extra for dusting)

Instructions

To make the keto cereal:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Combine almond flour, coconut, and stevia in a bowl.
  • Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
  • Spread the mixture on a non-stick cookie sheet or one lined with a silicone baking mat as thinly as possible.
  • Bake 9–12 minutes until edges lightly brown. Let cool a few minutes.
  • Flip the baked mat and cut into thin strips, then into Chex-sized pieces.
  • Return the pieces to the oven for 6–8 minutes, watching closely so they don’t burn. Remove and let cool.

To make the Keto Puppy Chow:

  • Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
  • Microwave on high for one minute, stir in vanilla, and mix until smooth.
  • Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until evenly coated.
  • Transfer coated cereal to a large zip-top bag, add Swerve Confectioners, seal, and shake to coat.
  • Spread the coated cereal on a cookie sheet and chill at least 15 minutes before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Swerve and net carbs: Swerve is a sugar alcohol and typically contributes no net carbs. Nutrition calculations below exclude sugar alcohols.

Extra chocolate and peanut butter: The recipe uses a bit more chocolate and peanut butter for a richer flavor.

Appearance: Keto Puppy Chow will be slightly less white than the traditional version because Swerve can dissolve when wet. The taste is the same; dust with extra Swerve before it fully sets if you want a whiter look.

Please do NOT feed this to dogs.

Nutrition Facts
Keto Puppy Chow
Amount Per Serving
Calories 235Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 48mg16%
Sodium 63mg3%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 0g0%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 125IU3%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are based on the ingredients and brands used; accuracy is not guaranteed. Sugar alcohols have been removed from the total carb count where applicable.