Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow (Aka Muddy Buddies)
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I’ve written (and taste-tested) more than a dozen snack mix recipes over the years, so when I tell you this Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow is a keeper—you can trust it checks all the boxes. Easy to make, no baking involved, and most importantly, pumpkin spice flavor you can ACTUALLY TASTE.
These fall muddy buddies are so simple, SO GOOD, and incredibly addictive. Plus, it’s one of my daughter’s favorites to make. She loves helping me measure the ingredients– and of course, sneaking all the white chocolate covered Chex before I can even get the mix to the bowl.
If you and the kiddos are looking for more snack mixes to make, try my Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix recipe, S’mores Snack Mix, or my zesty Crockpot Chex Party Mix!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix
- No baking required, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes.
- Sweet, cozy, and tastes like fall in a bowl.
- A kid favorite—especially when they help make it!
- Great for gifting, snacking, or serving at your next Friendsgiving
Fun fact: In the snack mix world, “puppy chow” gets its name from how it looks—once cereal is coated in melted chocolate and powdered sugar (like classic Muddy Buddies), it starts to resemble kibble. That’s why I like to mix in things like candies, nuts, and pretzels—like in this fall puppy chow and my Christmas Puppy Chow—to make it look more like a festive snack mix and less like dog food.
Ingredients For Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow
Don’t let the name fool you! This is not dog food, instead it’s just a fall remix of a classic Muddy Buddy recipe. Exact amounts for each ingredient can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cinnamon Chex cereal– you can use any kind of Chex cereal you like. I use the cinnamon cereal to complement the pumpkin pie spice.
- White chocolate chips– these are also called white or vanilla baking chips. You can use bars of white chocolate if you prefer! You’ll need 11-12 ounces in total.
- Powdered sugar– the powdered sugar coats the cereal to make individual, bite-sized clusters. Without it, the chocolate covered cereal would just harden into bark, and you’d have to break off pieces to eat it.
- Pumpkin pie spice– you can use store bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice. Just make sure the spices are not too old, otherwise you won’t taste it in the snack mix.
- Glazed pecans– I like using praline glazed pecans, but cinnamon or pumpkin spice flavored would be delicious also. Feel free to use a different nut too- my maple glazed walnuts would be extra tasty in this Chex mix!
- Cinnamon sugar pretzels– you can also use Dots Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel sticks, make your own cinnamon sugar pretzels, or use plain mini pretzel twists!
How To Make Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix
Step 1:
Add the cereal to a large resealable gallon-size bag or a big bowl with a lid.
Melt the white chocolate using the microwave or a double boiler, stirring often until smooth.
Step 2:
Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal.
Shake the mixture to coat the Chex cereal evenly in white chocolate.
Step 3:
Add the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Shake again until the cereal is fully coated in the sugar and spice mixture.
Step 4:
Spread the mix onto a rimmed cookie sheet and top with the glazed pecans and cinnamon sugar pretzels.
Gently mix everything together and transfer to a serving bowl.
Top Tip For Making Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow
I always mix my muddy buddies in one bowl and then transfer it to a clean serving dish. Powdered sugar has a way of clinging to everything (including your black leggings), so it just looks better in a fresh bowl. I also like to set aside a few whole pecans and pretzels to sprinkle on top before serving—it makes everything look a little neater.
Storage Instructions
This autumn puppy chow will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Just store it in an airtight container or a big zip-top bag.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Try adding candy corn, candy pumpkins, or dark chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Make this recipe nut free by swapping out the pecans for caramel corn or cinnamon flavored pumpkin seeds.
- Toss in maple granola, dried apple chips, or sweetened dried cranberries for extra flavor.
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Chex Mix For Fall (Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow)
Ingredients
- 6 cups cinnamon Chex cereal
- 12 ounces (2 cups) white chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 1/2 cups glazed pecans
- 2 cups cinnamon sugar pretzels or mini pretzels
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereal to a 1 gallon resealable bag or bowl with a lid.
- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 15 second bursts or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of steaming water (double boiler). Melt slowly and stir frequently until the chocolate chips are melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the cereal and shake the bag vigorously until all of the cereal is coated.
- Pour the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice into the bag. Shake again until evenly coated.
- Pour the puppy chow onto a rimmed cookie sheet and top with the pecans and the pretzels.
- Gently mix together and transfer to a serving bowl or package up to give to loved ones.
