Pistachio Puppy Chow Recipe
Pistachio Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack mix featuring crispy Rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious pistachio-flavored white chocolate and pudding mixture, then dusted with powdered sugar and optionally topped with crushed pistachios for an extra nutty crunch. Perfect for a quick sweet treat or party snack, this 15-minute recipe combines smooth melted white chocolate, instant pistachio pudding mix for flavor and texture, and the ideal cereal base to maintain crispiness.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Microwaving and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Cereal
Coating
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant pistachio pudding mix
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Topping
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
- Measure 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal: Place the cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside to prepare for coating.
- Melt the Butter: Add 1/4 cup of unsalted butter to a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in 30-second increments until completely melted, stirring as needed.
- Melt the White Chocolate: To the melted butter, add 1 cup white chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Microwave in short 15–20 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted without clumps.
- Stir in pudding mix and vanilla: Incorporate 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix into the warm chocolate mixture, stirring well to blend everything evenly into a smooth coating.
- Pour over cereal and mix: Pour the pistachio chocolate mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Using a spatula, gently fold and stir until all pieces of cereal are thoroughly coated with the pistachio mixture.
- Shake with powdered sugar: Transfer the coated cereal into a large gallon-size zip-top bag. Add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, seal the bag securely, and shake vigorously until the cereal is evenly dusted with the powdered sugar, creating the classic puppy chow look.
- Add crushed pistachios (optional): Open the bag and sprinkle in 1/4 cup crushed pistachios if desired. Give the mix one last gentle shake or stir to distribute the nuts throughout the snack.
- Serve and enjoy: Pour the Pistachio Puppy Chow into a serving bowl and enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container for later snacking.
Notes
- Do not overheat the white chocolate; melt slowly to prevent seizing.
- Allow the coating to cool slightly before adding powdered sugar to keep the powdered look intact.
- Stick to one box of pudding mix to avoid grainy texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and crispiness.
- Freeze in airtight bags up to 1 month if desired, thawing at room temperature before serving.
- Use gluten-free Chex and pudding mix for a gluten-free version.
Keywords: Pistachio Puppy Chow, Puppy Chow Snack Mix, Sweet Snack, Pistachio Dessert, White Chocolate Puppy Chow, Holiday Snack Mix