Gluten-Free Puppy Chow Bars

Close-up of puppy chow bar showing crispy Chex cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter

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All the fun of puppy chow, none of the mess. These gluten-free Puppy Chow Bars are layered with rich chocolate, peanut butter, and a dusting of powdered sugar—just like the classic snack, but way easier to serve. No shaking bags--Just melt, mix, and slice. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or anytime you want a nostalgic treat!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Chilling Time 1

Total Time 1 13

Servings servings

Ingredients

▢ 4 cups Rice Chex cereal - 120g
▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter - ½ stick (57g)
▢ 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 170g
▢ ¾ cup creamy peanut butter - 192g
▢ 5 oz mini marshmallows - 140g
▢ ¼ cup powdered sugar - 30g

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Instructions

Pour 4 cups Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, add ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, and ¾ cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals for 1½ to 2 minutes, stirring between each interval, until smooth and melted.
Add 5 oz mini marshmallows to the warm mixture and microwave again for 30 seconds. Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is thick and glossy.
Immediately pour the mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently fold everything together with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated, being careful not to crush it.
Spoon the coated cereal into an 8x8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang. Press the mixture into an even layer using a greased spatula.
Dust the top with ¼ cup powdered sugar.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Use the overhang to remove the bars from the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve immediately, or toss the bars in extra powdered sugar just before serving if desired.

Notes

Gluten-Free Note: Rice Chex is naturally gluten-free, but always double check the label—especially if you're using an off-brand, since ingredients can change. Avoid Wheat Chex (which contains gluten), and steer clear of cereal blends that don’t clearly list gluten-free status if you're serving someone with celiac.
Serving Size Note: This recipe makes 9 larger bars when cut into even squares, and the nutrition information is based on that portion. You can easily cut the squares in half for smaller servings or slice each into two triangles for a fun presentation—giving you 18 bars total.
Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bars can also be frozen for up to 1 month—just let them sit at room temp for 15–20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition