Description
This easy Pistachio Puppy Chow recipe transforms Rice Chex cereal into an addictive sweet snack with a creamy white chocolate and pistachio pudding coating, all dusted in powdered sugar. No baking required—just mix, toss, and enjoy! Perfect for parties, gifting, or satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the Pistachio Puppy Chow:
- 1 (12-ounce) box Rice Chex cereal
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (or cream cheese chips)
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Mix-Ins:
- Chopped roasted pistachios for added crunch
- Extra pinch of salt to balance sweetness
Instructions
Place the Rice Chex cereal in a very large bowl or a clean paper bag. Make sure your bowl is BIG—you need plenty of room to toss everything without crushing the cereal!
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, and white chocolate chips. This is going to be your magical pistachio coating!
Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until it’s completely smooth and fully melted. This usually takes about 1½ to 2 minutes total. Don’t rush this step—you want zero lumps!
Stir in the pistachio pudding mix, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is fully combined and you have a beautiful pale green mixture. Mix it really well so there are no dry pudding mix pockets.
Pour the warm pistachio mixture over the cereal. Now gently toss (if using a bowl) or shake (if using a paper bag) until every single piece is evenly coated. Be gentle so you don’t break the cereal!
Add the powdered sugar and toss or shake again until all the cereal pieces are well coated and look like they’ve been dusted in snow. This is where it gets its classic “puppy chow” look!
Spread the puppy chow out on parchment or wax paper in a single layer. Let it cool completely at room temperature before serving—this helps the coating set up nice and crispy. If you want to add chopped pistachios, sprinkle them on now while it’s still slightly sticky!
Notes
- Don’t overfill your mixing bowl or bag! If you’re struggling to toss everything, transfer half to another bowl, coat it, then combine everything for the powdered sugar step.
- Use a paper bag for the easiest coating method. Just fold the top, shake gently, and you’re done—no messy hands required!
- Common mistake to avoid: Adding the powdered sugar before the cereal is evenly coated with the pistachio mixture. The wet coating needs to cover everything first, THEN you add the powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes (microwave)
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American