Cute Valentine’s Day Muddy Buddies (Ready in 15 Minutes)

Name: Valentine's Day Muddy Buddies
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 9 cups Rice Chex cereal; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; ¼ cup butter; 1¾ cups powdered sugar; 2 cups Valentine’s M&Ms; 2 cups frosted animal crackers; Valentine sprinkles

Not my favorite holiday, but I like something sweet and cheerful in winter as much as the next girl, and this Valentine’s Day muddy buddies recipe is just the thing.Sweet, crunchy, and packed with my nemesis: frosted animal cookies. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for tucking into the lunchbox of your Valentine.

Prep Time:15

Total Time:15

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Microwave safe bowl
Resealable 2-gallon plastic bag (or two 1-gallon bags)
Spatula
Wax paper or parchment paper
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup butter
1¾ cups powdered sugar
2 cups Valentine’s M&Ms
2 cups frosted animal crackers
Valentine sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare the cereal. Place the Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Make the chocolate coating. Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, microwave on high for 90 seconds, pausing halfway to stir. Once fully melted, stir until smooth.
Coat the cereal. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal. Gently fold with a spatula until all pieces are evenly coated.
Shake with powdered sugar. Add the powdered sugar to a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal into the bag, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously until all pieces are evenly coated. If you don’t have a 2-gallon bag, divide the cereal and powdered sugar into two smaller bags and shake them in batches.
Cool the mixture. Spread the coated cereal on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes.
Add mix-ins. Once the coated cereal is cool, transfer it back into the plastic bag or a large bowl. Add the Valentine’s M&Ms, frosted animal crackers, and sprinkles. Shake or stir gently to combine.
Serve and enjoy. Transfer the mixture to a decorative serving bowl or portion it into individual Valentine’s-themed gift bags for a festive touch.

Notes

When you shake the powdered sugar, close the plastic bag tightly to prevent sugar from getting everywhere, and check it again before you start shaking!

Let the cereal cool completely on wax paper before you add any mix-ins. The M&Ms and frosted animal crackers might melt or lose their crunch if it’s still warm.

Make sure the coated cereal feels dry and cool before you mix in anything. This will help keep everything crunchy and avoid sticking or melting.

If you don’t have Valentine’s M&Ms or frosted animal crackers, you can use whatever you have, like mini marshmallows or pretzels, for something different.

Want it less sweet? Use a little less powdered sugar. Want more chocolate flavor? Toss in some mini chocolate chips after the cereal has cooled.

This is a great recipe for kids to help with. They’ll enjoy shaking the bag to coat the cereal and adding sprinkles—just remember to seal the bag first!

Put the Muddy Buddies into individual bags or cups if you’re serving this at an event. This keeps everything neat and adds a festive touch.

Nutrition

Servings: servings

Calories: 529kcal

Author: Katie

This is one of those treats I find myself making every single year. It’s sweet, colorful, and always a crowd-pleaser! My family can’t get enough of it. Yes, even the kids dive right in…well, except for the one who picks out all the M&Ms first. Good thing there’s still plenty of crunchy, chocolatey goodness left for the rest of us!

Want to customize this treat for another season? Try my Springtime Muddy Buddies recipe too!

bowl of finished snack on red and white towel.

Just shake the powdered sugar thoroughly—it’s the key to getting that perfect coating on every piece! Looking for a treat that’s just as fun for another holiday? Check out my Easter Muddy Buddies recipe for a colorful spring twist on this classic snack!

Tips for the Best Muddy Buddies

Use a Big Enough Bowl: When coating the cereal with the chocolate mixture, make sure your bowl is large enough to mix everything without spilling. It makes the process much easier and less messy.
Work Quickly with the Chocolate: After microwaving the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter, pour it over the cereal while it’s still warm. This helps it spread evenly and coat the cereal better.
Use a Timer for the Chocolate Mixture: If you’re not confident about timing the microwave, use a timer to avoid overheating the chocolate mixture. Start with 60 seconds and add time in small increments.
Mix Gently: When folding the chocolate mixture into the cereal, use a light hand to avoid breaking the pieces. A silicone spatula works great for this.
Don’t Skip Stirring During Microwaving: Stirring halfway through microwaving the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter is crucial. It helps prevent hot spots that can scorch the chocolate, leaving you with a smooth and creamy mixture.
Layer Your Powdered Sugar: If you’re working with a smaller bag or splitting the batch, add the powdered sugar in layers rather than dumping it all on top. This makes sure more even coating and less clumping.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Some of the tools and ingredients in this recipe might catch your eye, so here’s a simple guide to help everything come together smoothly.

Rice Chex cereal: This cereal is the main part of the recipe because its light and crunchy texture holds up well to the coating and powdered sugar. You can find it in the cereal aisle, but if you can’t, any plain square cereal like Corn Chex or Crispix will work fine.
Valentine’s M&Ms: These colorful candies add a fun touch. If you can’t find them, regular M&Ms or other small chocolate candies will taste just as good. Check the candy aisle or the seasonal section during February.
Frosted animal crackers: These sweet, colorful snacks give a nice crunch and flavor. You can usually find them in the cookie or snack aisle. If you can’t find them, regular animal crackers or another crunchy cookie can be a good substitute.
Semisweet chocolate chips: These add a rich chocolate flavor to the coating. You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips if you like something sweeter or darker. White chocolate chips can also be a fun alternative.
Valentine sprinkles: These sprinkles make the mix more festive and fun. You can usually find them in the baking aisle with other decorations. Try rainbow sprinkles or heart-shaped candies if you want to change it up.
2-gallon resealable bag: This is important for the powdered sugar step, as it gives you enough space to shake everything up without making a mess. You can use smaller bags or a large bowl with a tight lid if you don’t have one.

With these ingredients and tips, you’ll be ready to whip up a fun and tasty treat easily!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this with hot chocolate, strawberry lemonade, sugar cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or fruit skewers for a perfect sweet spread.

You can also pair more festive treats to create a sweet spread for your celebration. Check out my Valentine’s Day Candies collection for fun and easy recipes!

Troubleshooting and Help

What should I do if my chocolate mixture is too thick?

Warm the chocolate mixture in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and stir again if it gets too thick. You can also add a teaspoon of oil to thin it out if needed.

My powdered sugar didn’t coat the cereal evenly—what went wrong?

It might be that the chocolate mixture wasn’t mixed in well enough, or the bag wasn’t shaken long enough. Cover the cereal thoroughly with the chocolate first, then shake the bag vigorously to get even coverage.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Add pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor. Just make sure not to overload the mix, so it’s still easy to eat.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

Definitely! This recipe scales up or down well. Make sure you have a big enough mixing bowl and bag if you’re doubling, or adjust the coating and mix-ins evenly if you’re halving.

Do I have to use Valentine’s-themed ingredients?

Not at all! You can switch the M&Ms, sprinkles, or mix-ins to match any holiday or theme—think pastel colors for Easter or red and green for Christmas.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Muddy Buddies store well in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to a week. Keep them in a cool, dry spot to stay fresh and crunchy.

Storing Leftovers

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to a week. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their crunch.

Refrigerating

You don’t need to refrigerate them, but you can store them in the fridge if your house is warm. Just make sure they’re in a tightly sealed container to prevent them from picking up any moisture or odors.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe. The cereal can lose its crunch, and the mix-ins like sprinkles or M&Ms may discolor or change texture.

Store your treats in an airtight container to keep them crunchy and delicious for the best results. If you want more tips on handling and storing leftovers safely, check out this guide to food safety for leftovers.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! It’s the perfect treat for a fun family snack, a festive party mix, or even a sweet gift. Whip up a big batch to share, or save some to enjoy throughout the week—you can’t go wrong either way!