Gluten Free Spring Puppy Chow (Dairy Free option)

This gluten-free puppy chow is a delicious spring spin on a traditional party snack. Puppy chow is one of our favorite treats in our house. It is so quick and easy to make and perfect for school parties, birthdays, and get-togethers. It is a great treat to make with kids and is perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). The colors in the M&Ms and jelly beans make it perfect for an Easter treat as well.

We made two different versions of this in our house. One for myself and little M&M lover and a different one for my husband who is dairy-free. They both were absolutely delicious and I’d recommend both. It was super easy to make two different versions as you make the puppy chow base with dairy-free chocolate and add the extras in separately at the end.

The love for peanut butter and cereal treats in our house is great. We love to make treats that include peanut butter, chocolate, and cereal. Another favorite in our house is these chocolate peanut butter cereal bars. Be sure to check them out as well!

To make this delicious spring puppy chow treat begin by making the puppy chow base. Do this by combining the peanut butter and dairy-free chocolate chips (we love the Enjoy Life brand) in a large glass bowl or mixing cup. Microwave stirring in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is melted.

Next, you’ll need to add 6 cups of puppy chow in a separate large mixing bowl. Stir the chocolate peanut butter mix into the puppy chow slowly. As you’re stirring try to stir gently to not to break the cereal and make sure to coat it all well. It should all be covered completely in the chocolate mix. Let it cool off for about 5 minutes in the fridge (it shouldn’t harden).

Add powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments stirring as you add. Powdered sugar should coat the puppy chow. The puppy chow will still have some clumps in it. These are the best pieces in my opinion. Let the finished puppy chow cool completely and then you can add in the additional ingredients.

Spring Gluten Free Puppy Chow (version 1)

Once you’ve made the puppy chow base all you need to do is mix in the additional ingredients. Add the marshmallows and spring-colored M&Ms (we found ours at Target) and stir it all together. This version is not dairy-free as M&Ms have dairy in them but it sure is delicious!

Gluten & Dairy Free Spring Puppy Chow (version 2)

This version of puppy chow is so good. We call it the peanut butter and jelly puppy chow because that is exactly what it tastes like. You make the puppy chow base and then mix in a handful of marshmallows and a handful of jelly beans. We used the Starburst berry jelly beans. The berry flavor jelly beans make it taste the most like peanut butter and jelly so I’d highly recommend going this route. Because jelly beans are naturally gluten and dairy-free this version is dairy-free and super tasty!

Spring Gluten Free Puppy Chow (Dairy Free Option)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Brand are our favorites)
• 6 cups gluten-free chex cereal
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Additional Add Ins: M&M Version

• 1 cup spring colored M&M’s
• 1 cup marshmallows

Additional Add-Ins: Peanut Butter & Jelly Bean Version

• 1 cup berry-flavored jelly beans
• 1 cup marshmallows

Directions

1. Combine the peanut butter and dairy-free chocolate chips in a glass bowl or large measuring cup. Microwave in 30-second increments. Stir after each 30-second increment until the chocolate is melted.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl add the Chex cereal. Pour the chocolate mix over top stirring slowly. Be careful not to break the Chex pieces. Stir to coat completely.
3. Let cool down in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Check on it every few minutes to make sure chocolate isn’t hardening.
4. Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments. Coat fully in powdered sugar.
5. Let cool.
6. If making the M&M version add the M&M’s and marshmallows and stir to combine. If making the Peanut Butter and Jelly version (dairy-free) add the jelly beans and marshmallows and stir to combine.
7. Enjoy!