Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy
Sweet and salty come together beautifully in this Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix. Cereal, peanuts, and pretzels are coated in a light chocolate-peanut butter mixture and dusted with powdered sugar for a crisp finish. It’s simple, delicious, and a recipe you’ll turn to any time you need an easy snack or homemade gift.
I’ve always had a soft spot for a good snack mix, and over the years here on Inspired by Charm, I’ve shared plenty of favorites. From savory blends to sweeter creations, there’s just something fun about tossing a few simple ingredients together and ending up with a snack everyone loves. Today I’m back with another, and this one leans into that irresistible sweet-and-salty combination.
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix is my take on the classic Puppy Chow (or Muddy Buddies). By adding peanuts and pretzels, you get that salty crunch alongside the chocolatey sweetness. I’ve also scaled back the chocolate and peanut butter a bit so the cereal, pretzels, and peanuts are lightly coated instead of fully drenched, giving the whole mix a crisp, lighter texture. While I’m usually a more-is-more kind of guy, I really like this balance. It’s a recipe you can customize with your own add-ins, enjoy any time of year, and even package up as a thoughtful homemade gift. I know you’re going to love it. Let’s get into all the details.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and salty in every bite. The mix of chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, and peanuts creates that perfect balance of flavors that keeps you reaching for just one more handful. It’s a combination that works for any occasion.
- A lighter twist on a classic. Unlike traditional Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, this recipe uses a slightly lighter coating of chocolate and peanut butter. You still get all the flavor, but with a crispier texture and a balance that lets every ingredient shine.
- Quick and easy to make. This recipe comes together in minutes with no baking required. It’s a simple treat you can whip up for parties, movie nights, holiday gatherings, or even a weekday snack. It’s also a great handmade gift idea!
Looking for more tasty snack mixes? Well, as mentioned above, I’ve made plenty. Check out this collection of all my irresistible snack mix recipes.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this party mix recipe. I’ll walk you through what I used below.
- Corn square cereal – The classic base for this snack mix, giving you plenty of crunch and texture in every bite. I used Corn Chex Cereal.
- Mini pretzel twists – A salty, crispy addition that balances the sweetness and brings a fun shape to the mix. The Itty Bitty Minis pretzels from Synders are my favorite and what I used here.
- Salted peanuts – They add a nutty flavor and extra crunch, while also enhancing that sweet-and-salty combo everyone loves.
- Creamy peanut butter – This helps bind the mix together and brings in that rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers – Smooth and sweet, these melt down beautifully to coat the cereal mixture.
- Dark chocolate melting wafers – A slightly deeper chocolate flavor that balances the sweetness and keeps the mix from being too rich.
- Butter – Adds a touch of richness and helps create a silky-smooth chocolate coating.
- Vanilla – A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors and adds a little warmth to the mix.
- Powdered sugar – This coats the mixture, giving it that classic sweet finish while keeping everything from sticking together.
How To Make
And with that, we’re ready to mix up this Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix. Let’s get to it. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Place the cereal, pretzels, and peanuts in a very large bowl and set aside.
💌 SAVE THIS POST / RECIPE!
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus, I'll send you more inspiring ideas I think you'll love!
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and melted. Stir in the vanilla. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to a two-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake until the mix is well coated.
- Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment paper and let it cool and set. Once firm, you can enjoy right away or store in an airtight container.
And that’s it! It’s simple, satisfying, and exactly the kind of recipe that makes life feel a little sweeter (and I suppose saltier too, haha).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this recipe make, and how do I scale it?
You’ll get roughly 10 to 11 cups, depending on how generously you coat and dust. To scale, keep the base ratio of 7 parts cereal to 2 parts pretzels to 1 part peanuts, and coat in batches so everything gets an even layer.
How do I get loose pieces vs. big clusters?
For loose pieces, shake in a big bag in two short rounds with powdered sugar and break up any clumps as you go. For clusters, spread the coated mix on a sheet, let it set for a few minutes, then gently press it together before dusting so some pieces stick.
How should I store Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix, and how long will it last?
Keep the snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and crunchy for about five to seven days, making it perfect to enjoy throughout the week or to package up for gifting.
More Sweet Snack Mixes You’ll Love
- Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
- Snickerdoodle Snack Mix
- Peppermint White Chocolate Chex Mix
- White Chocolate Puff Corn
- Gingerbread Chex Mix
- Cinnamon Pecans and Walnuts
There’s just something so fun about tossing a few simple ingredients together and ending up with a treat that hits all the marks. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix is a must-try. Once you give it a go (because I know you’re going to), I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 7 cups bite-size corn square cereal
- 2 cups mini pretzel twists
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup milk chocolate melting wafers
- ½ cup dark chocolate melting wafers
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the cereal, pretzels, and peanuts in a very large bowl and set aside.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and melted. Stir in the vanilla. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cereal to a two-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake until the mix is well coated.
- Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of parchment paper and let it cool and set. Once firm, you can enjoy right away or store in an airtight container.