Spooky Halloween Muddy Buddies: A Not-So-Scary Treat (Print Version)
Halloween Chex Mix Muddy Buddies: Your easy, no-bake spooky treat! Perfect for parties, movie nights, or a fun family snack. Make it yours this Halloween.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8-10 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Base Crunch
01 -
Chex Cereal (Rice or Corn)
→ Chocolatey Coating
02 -
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
03 -
Creamy Peanut Butter
04 -
Unsalted Butter
05 -
Vanilla Extract
→ Finishing Touch
06 -
Powdered Sugar (Confectioners' Sugar)
→ Spooky Add-ins
07 -
Halloween Sprinkles
08 -
Candy Eyes (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab a microwave-safe bowl. Toss in your chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then stir. Keep microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring vigorously after each, until it's all smooth and glossy. You want it completely melted, but not scorched! I once overdid it and ended up with a seized, grainy mess—total disaster. Just keep an eye on it, it'll get there, I promise.
02 -
Once your chocolate mixture is smooth as can be, stir in that vanilla extract. It really brings out all the other flavors, giving these Halloween Muddy Buddies that extra little something. Give it a good whisk to make sure it's fully incorporated. This step is quick, but it's important for rounding out the taste profile. Don't rush it, just a quick stir and you're good to go!
03 -
Pour your Chex cereal into a large, sturdy bowl. Now, drizzle that warm, glorious chocolate-peanut butter mixture all over the cereal. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold and stir until every single piece of Chex looks coated. Be gentle, though; we don't want crushed cereal! This is where the magic happens, watching it all come together. I find it’s easier to get an even coating if you do it in two batches if your bowl isn't huge.
04 -
Time for the powdered sugar! You'll need a large zip-top bag for this, or a couple if your batch is big. Pour about half of your chocolate-coated Chex into the bag, then add about half of the powdered sugar. Seal the bag, making sure there's plenty of air inside, and shake, shake, shake! This is where the Halloween Muddy Buddies get their signature look. Keep shaking until every piece is beautifully coated in that sweet white powder. I swear, my kids love this step—it’s pure fun!
05 -
Once all your Halloween Muddy Buddies are coated in powdered sugar, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Now's the time for those fun Halloween sprinkles and candy eyes! Sprinkle them generously over the still-warm mix. The residual warmth helps the sprinkles stick a bit better. I always go a little overboard here, honestly, because who doesn't love extra sparkle? Let them cool completely before storing, otherwise, things get sticky.
06 -
Let your finished Halloween Muddy Buddies cool completely on the parchment-lined baking sheet. This lets the chocolate set up properly, giving you that satisfying crunch. You want them firm, not soft, before you try to store them. Once cooled, they're ready to be devoured! They should look like little snow-dusted, spooky treats, perfect for sharing (or hoarding, I won't judge).
# Notes:
01 -
Always use creamy peanut butter; natural versions just don't coat the cereal as well in my experience.
02 -
Don't overcrowd your bag when shaking with powdered sugar, or you'll end up with unevenly coated Halloween Muddy Buddies.
03 -
Let them cool completely before storing, or you'll have a sticky, clumpy mess—learned that the hard way!
04 -
Add a tiny pinch of sea salt to the chocolate mixture before coating for an amazing sweet and salty kick.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Microwave-safe bowl
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
rubber spatula
04 -
large zip-top bags
05 -
parchment paper
06 -
baking sheet
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 18-22g
Total Carbohydrate: 40-50g
Protein: 5-7g