Get ready for the ultimate sweet-and-salty Halloween treat! Halloween Muddy Buddies are a ghoulishly delightful spin on the classic snack mix, combining crunchy Chex cereal, creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and festive Halloween candies in every irresistible bite. It’s the perfect mix of textures and flavors—think powdered-sugar-dusted chocolate chex, peanut butter richness, and bright pops of candy color. Whether you’re hosting a party, filling spooky treat bags, or just looking for a fun snack to munch on while watching your favorite scary movie, Halloween Muddy Buddies deliver festive fun in every handful.

Halloween Muddy Buddies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of pantry staples and some playful candies to create these Halloween Muddy Buddies. Each ingredient plays a starring role: from the base crunch to chocolatey coating, from creamy peanut butter to the showstopping decorative add-ins, everything helps create the addictive combination that makes this Halloween snack mix impossible to resist.

Rice Chex cereal: This classic, gluten-free cereal is the backbone of our mix, delivering the perfect light crunch and structure for all those toppings to cling to.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These melt into a rich chocolate coating, balancing the sweetness level so the mix isn’t too cloying.
Creamy peanut butter: Opt for a smooth, conventional peanut butter for mixability and gooey texture—natural peanut butters can be less cohesive.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps the chocolate and peanut butter melt into a luscious, pourable coating.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a touch of warmth and depth in the chocolate-peanut butter mixture.
Powdered sugar: This key ingredient adds sweetness and is essential for getting that signature “snowy” look and non-sticky finish on the cereal.
Candy corn: Brings a nostalgic Halloween flair with its chewy, vibrant pieces—optional, but highly recommended for holiday style.
Halloween-colored M&M’s: Toss in these chocolatey gems in orange, purple, and green for festive pops of color and extra chocolate crunch.
Halloween sprinkles: A final flourish for fun! Pick out spooky shapes or orange-and-black jimmies to really amp up the party vibe.

How to Make Halloween Muddy Buddies

Step 1: Prep the Chex Base

Pour all of the rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. You’ll want ample room to gently fold in the melted chocolate mixture later, so choose your biggest bowl. Getting set up now will help everything come together swiftly once the chocolate is ready.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter

In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, combine your semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and unsalted butter. Microwave them together in 30-second bursts, stirring between each round, until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy—usually just about 1 to 1.5 minutes total. Stir in the vanilla extract at the end for a touch of warmth and aroma.

Step 3: Coat the Cereal

Pour the freshly melted chocolate-peanut butter blend over the Chex cereal. Gently stir and fold with a spatula or wooden spoon until every piece of cereal is evenly coated and glossy. Take it slow; you want the cereal to stay intact, not crushed!

Step 4: Powdered Sugar Magic

Transfer the chocolatey Chex into a big zip-top bag (or you can use a large bowl). Add all the powdered sugar, seal, and shake to coat every piece thoroughly. This step transforms the gooey cereal into that classic, irresistible Muddy Buddy texture—think sweet, powdery, and perfectly non-sticky.

Step 5: Cool and Add the Halloween Touches

Spread the coated cereal onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and set—this ensures clean, crisp bites later. Once the mix is fully cooled, sprinkle in all your favorite Halloween candies: candy corn, seasonal M&M’s, and those cheery Halloween sprinkles. Give everything a gentle toss to combine.

How to Serve Halloween Muddy Buddies

Garnishes

Finish your Halloween Muddy Buddies with a heavy hand of extra Halloween sprinkles or candy eyeballs for added spookiness. If you’re serving at a party, a little mound of candy corn on top always gets smiles! Personalize the mix with gummy worms or chocolate-coated pretzels for a wild, over-the-top presentation.

Side Dishes

Pair your Halloween Muddy Buddies with some savory favorites to balance out the sweetness—think salty popcorn, roasted peanuts, or a bowl of pretzels. These crunchy pairings create an ideal snack table, especially at parties where variety is a trick-or-treat must!

Creative Ways to Present

Deliver Halloween Muddy Buddies in cellophane bags tied with orange and black ribbons for easy party favors, or serve them in cauldron-shaped bowls for extra whimsy. For a kids’ activity, set up a DIY Muddy Buddies “bar” with bowls of extra candies and sprinkles so everyone can top their own treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Halloween Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay crisp and delicious for up to a week. Just be sure to store them out of direct sunlight and away from heat to prevent melting or stickiness, especially if you added meltable candies.

Freezing

For longer storage, Halloween Muddy Buddies freeze beautifully! Simply portion into freezer-safe bags or containers, squeezing out as much air as possible. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months; let them thaw at room temperature before serving for maximum crunch.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat these sweet bites—just grab and go! If you find that the mix has softened a bit in storage, you can spread it on a baking sheet and let it air dry for a few minutes before serving, but reheating isn’t usually necessary.

FAQs

Can I substitute the peanut butter for a different nut butter?

Absolutely! Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even cookie butter (for an extra treat!) work wonderfully. Just make sure to use a type Snack.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, Halloween Muddy Buddies are naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free Chex cereal and double-check the candy add-ins, since sometimes candies can have wheat-based ingredients or be made in facilities with gluten.

Can I use white chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?

Of course! White chocolate creates a sweeter, more colorful look and is an especially fun twist for Halloween. Just melt it gently since white chocolate can scorch more quickly. Try swirling in a few drops of orange food coloring for an extra festive touch!

How far in advance can I make Halloween Muddy Buddies?

You can make them up to a week in advance, making Halloween Muddy Buddies a stress-free option for busy party preppers. However, for the freshest flavor and crunch, I recommend making them no more than three to four days before your event.

What else can I mix in for a different flavor or texture?

The sky’s the limit! Try tossing in pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows, chopped Halloween cookies, or even salted caramel chips. Changing up the mix-ins is a fun way to personalize your Halloween Muddy Buddies every year.

Final Thoughts

Halloween Muddy Buddies are pure snack magic: festive, crunchy, rich, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re sharing with friends, kids, or just treating yourself, this playful recipe shines with holiday spirit. I can’t wait for you to try it and make this addictive treat a new Halloween tradition!

Halloween Muddy Buddies Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate Halloween snack mix with these addictive and sweet Halloween Muddy Buddies. Crunchy Chex cereal coated in a mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, then tossed with festive candies and sprinkles. Perfect for parties or a spooky movie night treat!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Muddy Buddies:

9 cups rice Chex cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

For Toppings:

1/2 cup candy corn
1/2 cup Halloween-colored M&M’s
1/4 cup Halloween sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare the Cereal: Place Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.
Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
Coat the Cereal: Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.
Add Sugar Coating: Add the powdered sugar to a large zip-top bag or bowl, then add the chocolate-coated cereal. Seal and shake (or toss) until well coated with sugar.
Add Toppings: Spread the coated cereal out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Once set, sprinkle in candy corn, M&M’s, and Halloween sprinkles. Gently mix to combine.
Store and Serve: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.