Introduction

Cookie Monster Muddy Buddies are a fun and colorful twist on the classic snack mix, combining crunchy cereal, rich chocolate, and playful mini cookies. This treat is perfect for parties, movie nights, or whenever you want a sweet, satisfying snack that’s easy to make.

A white bowl is filled with a mix of blue-colored cereal pieces that look crunchy and coated with a sugary powder, layered with small dark chocolate chips and mini black-and-white sandwich cookies scattered evenly on top and around the blue cereal chunks. The bowl sits on an orange cloth napkin, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) box Rice Chex cereal
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter (traditional, not natural)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups Dixie Crystals powdered sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon powdered blue food dye
8 oz mini chocolate chip cookies
8 oz mini Oreo cookies
1 cup milk chocolate morsels

Instructions

Step 1: Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside. Pour the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is almost melted and smooth, about 45 seconds more. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Gently fold with a spatula until all the cereal is evenly coated.
Step 4: Place 2 cups of powdered sugar and the blue food dye into a gallon-size zip-top bag. Seal and shake until the sugar is evenly colored.
Step 5: Add the coated cereal to the bag with the colored powdered sugar, seal, and shake vigorously until the cereal is well coated. Remove the most coated cereal to one side and shake the remaining to coat better if needed.
Step 6: Pour the coated cereal onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 7: Sprinkle the mini chocolate chip cookies, mini Oreo cookies, and milk chocolate morsels over the top. Transfer the entire mix to an airtight container or a clean zip-top bag if not serving immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use smooth peanut butter instead of natural for a creamier texture and better coating.
For a different color theme, swap the blue powdered dye for another color powder or omit it for a classic look.
Try adding chopped nuts or pretzels for extra crunch and flavor contrast.
Gently fold in the mini cookies and chocolate chips instead of sprinkling on top for more even distribution.

Storage

Store Cookie Monster Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep away from humidity to maintain crispness. If the snack softens, briefly toast it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes to refresh the crunch.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a shiny metal scoop filled with a crunchy snack mix covered in blue powder and some brown mini chocolate chip cookies. The scoop rests on an orange cloth, with some of the blue powder-covered snack pieces scattered around its edge on the cloth, creating a casual and inviting look. In the background, there is a large glass jar filled with the same mix, slightly blurred to keep the focus on the scoop. The colors are mainly blue from the powder, brown from the cookies, and silver from the scoop, all placed on a bright white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter contains oils that can separate and may result in less smooth coating. It’s best to use traditional smooth peanut butter for this recipe to ensure even coverage.

How do I make the powdered sugar blue?

Simply add a small amount of powdered blue food dye to the powdered sugar and shake it well in a sealed bag until the color is evenly distributed. Use a little at a time for the desired shade.

Cookie Monster Muddy Buddies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 90 reviews

Cookie Monster Muddy Buddies are a fun and colorful twist on the classic muddy buddies snack mix, combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious chocolate-peanut butter glaze, vibrant blue powdered sugar, and mini chocolate chip and Oreo cookies for a delightful treat perfect for parties or casual snacking.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 8 cups 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Microwaving
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cereal Base

1 (12-ounce) box Rice Chex cereal

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Coating

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter (traditional, not natural)
6 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered Sugar Mix

2 1/2 cups Dixie Crystals powdered sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon powdered blue food dye

Cookie Toppings

8 oz mini chocolate chip cookies
8 oz mini Oreo cookies
1 cup milk chocolate morsels

Instructions

Prepare Baking Sheet and Cereal: Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside. Pour the Rice Chex cereal into the largest mixing bowl you have and set aside for coating.
Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Mixture: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine semisweet chocolate chips, smooth peanut butter, unsalted butter, and kosher salt (start with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and adjust after melting). Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir. Continue microwaving in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, for about 45 seconds more until the mixture is almost melted. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal in the large bowl. Gently fold with a spatula until all cereal pieces are evenly coated with the mixture.
Prepare Colored Powdered Sugar: Place the powdered sugar and powdered blue food dye in a gallon-size zip-top bag. Seal and shake the bag until the powdered sugar is evenly colored blue.
Coat Cereal with Blue Powdered Sugar: Add the coated cereal to the colored powdered sugar bag. Seal and shake vigorously until the cereal is well coated. If some pieces have less coating, remove the well-coated cereal and shake the rest again to ensure even coverage.
Cool and Add Cookies: Pour the coated cereal onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Let cool for about 10 minutes to set. Sprinkle mini chocolate chip cookies, mini Oreo cookies, and milk chocolate morsels evenly on top of the muddy buddies.
Store: Transfer the entire mix into an airtight container or a clean zip-top bag if not serving immediately to keep freshness.

Notes

Use traditional smooth peanut butter rather than natural, as natural peanut butter can be oilier and may affect coating consistency.
Microwaving times can vary, so watch the chocolate mixture carefully to avoid burning.
Be gentle when folding the cereal to avoid breaking the pieces.
For a stronger blue color, adjust the amount of powdered food dye carefully, adding more if desired.
This treat is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and check for allergen-free chocolate chips.

Keywords: Muddy Buddies, Cookie Monster, Snack Mix, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chex Mix, Party Snack