Lemon Puppy Chow is a bright and irresistible treat that’s bursting with sweet, citrus flavor. Crispy Chex cereal is coated in a luscious blend of lemon juice and white chocolate, then finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar!
This lemon puppy chow is is always a huge hit for spring and summer. The crunchy cereal combined with the lemon flavored white chocolate is dangerously addictive! I find myself popping handfuls in my mouth at a time because it’s just that good. I grew up calling it “puppy chow,” but this recipe is also referred to as lemon muddy buddies.
Here are some other delicious puppy chow/muddy buddy recipes: Classic Muddy Buddies, Valentine Puppy Chow, Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow, Mint Chocolate Muddy Buddies, and Halloween Puppy Chow.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Puppy Chow
- It’s kids and adult approved. Everyone that tries this absolutely loves it! Perfect for a kids party or any adult gathering.
- It’s only 5 ingredients. You need just 5 products to make this lemon puppy chow recipe. They are simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store, so you can make this sweet snack any time you want.
- It’s quick to put together. This takes only about 15 minutes to prepare. It’s so quick and easy that you can make it at the last minute, and enjoy it immediately. I love having recipes like this one on hand!
What You’ll Need
Items like Chex cereal and powdered sugar are classic ingredients in puppy chow or muddy buddies. Lemon is non-traditional, but that is what gives it a whole new flavor that’s perfect for spring!
- Rice Chex: I like the flavor of rice Chex over corn for this recipe, but they have to be a plain flavor so all of the ingredients stick to them. Feel free to use a store brand, too. It will work the same!
- Butter: Melted butter helps the other ingredients stick and harden to the cereal pieces. I add it with the lemon to the Chex before the candy melts, and it helps the lemon flavor infuse into the cereal, too.
- Lemon: I use fresh lemon juice and zest to get the most authentic lemon flavor possible. I reserve some zest to garnish the puppy chow at the end for an adorable presentation!
- Vanilla candy melts: These melt perfectly to coat all of the Chex pieces. You may also use white chocolate if you like!
- Powdered sugar: This is the key in puppy chow or muddy buddies. The cereal is finished with a dusting of powdered sugar that sticks to the melted candy to create a sweet coating.
How To Make Lemon Puppy Chow
Here are all the steps you’ll need to prepare this lemon puppy chow recipe. It only takes about 15 minutes to make it, and then it’s ready to eat!
- Add cereal. Pour the Rice Chex into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine butter and lemon. Add the melted butter, lemon juice, and zest to a separate bowl.
- Drizzle and combine. Carefully drizzle it over the cereal and then toss it to combine.
- Melt the candy. Microwave the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, starting with 1 minute and then additional 30-second intervals as needed until they’re smooth.
- Fold into the cereal. Pour the melted candy over the Chex and fold to coat all the pieces.
- Add cereal and sugar to a bag. Transfer the cereal to a large Ziploc bag. Pour in the powdered sugar and seal it.
- Shake, garnish, and serve. Give it a good shake to coat the cereal in the sugar, and then pour the Chex into a serving bowl. Top it with extra lemon zest and enjoy!
Tips for Success
Use coconut oil if needed. Typically, the candy melts so well and are smooth enough to coat the cereal. If you decide to use chocolate or almond bark instead, it might seize. Add in a teaspoon of coconut oil to keep the melted chocolate silky smooth so it will coat all of the cereal pieces perfectly.
Try another citrus. You can customize this lemon puppy chow recipe, too! Try another variety of citrus, like an orange or lime. They will still add brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness, just with a slightly different flavor!
Add mix-ins. Have some fun with this tasty treat! Add some extra ingredients like chopped nuts, crushed lemon cookies, and white chocolate chips. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the recipe!
Proper Storage
Store the lemon puppy chow tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze it in a ziploc bag for up to 2 months if you like, too!
More Lemon Recipes to Try
- Lemon Pudding Cake
- Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
- Homemade Lemonade
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon Drop Martini
Lemon Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Rice Chex cereal
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 Teaspoons grated lemon zest plus extra for garnish
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups white candy melts (or yellow)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add the Rice cereal to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, add the butter, lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Melt the butter in the microwave. Stir to combine and then drizzle over the top of the cereal.
- Usa a rubber spatula to gently fold the cereal to coat the pieces in the butter mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, add the candy melts. Microwave for 1 minute then stir. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds and stir until the pieces are melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted candy over the cereal then gently fold the cereal to coat the pieces in the vanilla flavored candy.
- Add the cereal mixture to a large Ziplock bag. Add the powdered sugar on top then seal the bag and gently shake the bag until all the pieces are evenly coated. It’s totally fine to have a few larger chunks sticking together.
- Add the mix to a large bowl, add extra zest and serve!
Last Step:
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