Whatever name you call it, I love snack mix, party mix, Chex mix, and puppy chow.
I can inhale many handfuls in very short order. Hello hundreds of empty calories in about 3 minutes flat.
What’s not to love about puppy chow. It’s no-bake, fast, easy, and made with cereal. I have a huge thing for cereal-based treats, especially chocolate and peanut butter ones.
There’s peanut butter melted with white or milk chocolate, and then it’s coated in cups of confectioners’ sugar. As a child growing up, that was standard issue, yet supremely addictive, puppy chow.
However in recent years, tossing it with sprinkles, mini peanut butter cups, Nutella and peanuts, or even buttery waffles has crept in. Plain puppy chow wasn’t enough and it had to be trashed up, even more. You know, keeping up with the virtual Jones’ on Pinterest. I’m as guilty as the next, but whoa, it all adds up to a whole lot of mindless calories that no one needs.
That’s where this snack mix comes in. It’s skinny, vegan, gluten-free, there’s no butter or oil added, and it’s ready in less than 5 minutes. It also makes a modest batch because I don’t need a gallon-sized tub of puppy chow laying around, skinny or not.
I included the stats from SparkRecipes. The whole batch makes about 5 cups and came in at just over 1000 calories for the entire batch. If you have 1 cup, you’re looking at about 200 calories.
If you have more self-control and can get by with 1/2 cup, there’s only 101 calories per serving.
A half cup of my skinny mix is still more quantity than you’ll find in most of those very skimpy 100-calorie store bought snack packs, and much more satisfying. Those snack packs are truly like eating air. You’re clearly paying for forced portion control and convenience because there’s hardly any actual food included.
To make the mix, melt together peanut butter and your sweetener of choice. I used corn syrup because it’s cheap and it makes a great glue. Use brown rice syrup, agave, honey (not vegan), or another really sticky liquid sweetener. I don’t recommend maple syrup based on taste.
Stir in a bit of vanilla, pour over the cereal, and stir to combine. I used Corn Chex which is both vegan and gluten-free. If you want to use other flavors like Chocolate, Honey Nut, or Cinnamon, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex (less hearty and may crush more easily) or Crispix, I’m sure they’ll be just fine. If you’re monitoring vegan/GF status, read the labels because not all cereals are appropriate for all dietary paths.
Rather than tossing with confectioners’ sugar like most puppy chow, I tossed with unsweetened natural cocoa powder, which is very low in calories at just 40 calories per 1/4 cup. You need something to dry up the gooey melted peanut butter mixture.
Because the cocoa is unsweetened, it causes the mix to take on a not-so-sweet but very chocolaty profile. The chocolate flavor is more dominant than the peanut butter flavor, and I love how intensely chocolaty it is, without being overly sweet. If you find it needs a little more sweetness, sprinkle on a packet or two of your favorite zero-calorie sweetener.
Optionally, for a salty-and-sweet mix, sprinkle with Kosher or sea salt. You could also swap in waffle-board style pretzels for some of the Chex for more salty-and-sweet crunch. Calorically, I don’t think there’s a significant difference between pretzels and cereal, although the former won’t likely be vegan/GF.
The mix is crispy, crunchy, and chewy. It’ll tame your fiercest chocolate cravings, and with peanut butter undertones, it’s satisfying and tastes far more decadent than the stats indicate.
When I’m feeling snacky, lots of crunch in the form of chocolate and peanut butter without eating a half day’s calories in minutes is absolutely perfect.
It’s good it’s a skinny recipe because multiple servings were a must.
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Skinny 100-Calorie Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter, don’t use natural or homemade, too runny
- ¼ cup light-colored corn syrup, or brown rice syrup, agave, honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups Corn Chex
- about 1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, or to taste
- pinch or packet, s of zero-calorie sweetener Truvia, Splenda, stevia, etc., optional and to taste (I didn’t need any)
- pinch Kosher or sea salt, optional and to taste for a salty-and-sweet treat
Instructions
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, corn syrup, and heat on high power for 30 seconds to melt. Stir mixture smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla; set mixture aside.
- In a large bowl, add the cereal.
- Pour wet mixture over the cereal and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup cocoa powder, or to taste, and toss to coat.
- Taste the mix and optionally add a pinch or packet(s) zero-calorie sweetener. I didn’t find it necessary, but I’m not bothered by the bitterness of cocoa powder.
- For a salty-and-sweet treat, optionally sprinkle with salt, to taste.
- Mix will keep airtight for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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My husband got on a Corn Chex buying spree when it was on sale during Christmas and now maybe I have a low-guilt way of using it up!
PERFECT way to use it up! Also any of the recipes in the related recipes that are snack mixes, work those in, too!
I really like the taste of cocoa powder and love the idea of coating the muddy buddies in that! Anything I can eat by the handful is automatically in danger of MIA, so I thank you for making a skinny version. :) Looks amazing!
A skinny version on those mindless-eating type snacks is always good, right!
Yay! I love all the skinny recipes floating around this time of year. This sounds too good to be true. Chocolate and peanut butter puppychow for 200cals?!! *Happy Dance*
Glad you like it!
Who could not love this recipe and your for developing it!!?!? Seriously, I could not be more excited that I can now eat a few cupfuls and not feel totally guilty or be on a sugar high. Yes, please!!
And you’re only 20 so you’re still on nature’s good-girl list :) After you’re in your mid 30s and pop out a kid or two, nature isn’t as forgiving and kind. But yeah this is not the sugar high puppy chow. It’s really chocolaty and dark! I was surprised, actually!
Yes, yes, yes! Love pretty much every thing about this awesome treat you’ve got going on here :)
For this and so many other reasons, Averie – i love you! You know how much I love snack mixes – and your sweet and salty suggestion just blew my peanut butter-chocolate loving mind. I love a good puppy chow and I can’t believe I can eat an entire cup of this stuff for 200 cals…?! This is madness. Sheer amazing madness.
LOL and thanks, Sally! I know you love puppy chow and this is the most ‘sophisticated’ version I’ve ever made. It’s really deep and dark, and not sugarhigh-ish, at all. From using cocoa powder, not confectioners’ sugar. I love sweets as much as anyone, but sometimes puppy chow with the white choc AND then the confect. sugar, it can really give almost anyone a sugar high :)
YES! I cannot thank you enough for this recipe. I love puppy chow SO much and this is the answer. :)
Glad it’s a keeper for you!
It’s a good thing this is skinny because I don’t think I could stick to a 1 cups serving! In my books all 5 cups = 1 serving. This looks ah-may-zing girl!
I know, I had a couple cupfuls on day 1. The whole batch only lasted 36 hours, but I had a little help eating it from family. But I did hoard this stuff for myself :)
This looks seeeeeeeriously addicting, Averie! I love that it’s low cal, too. Since I know I won’t be able to stop eating it ;)
Pretty much sums my situation up, too :)
This sounds like a perfect 3:00 pm snack! Do you know how much a cup weighs in at? Sometimes when a recipe calls for a cup, my cup weighs so much more than the serving size! I’m so glad I found your site – I really like your approach to snacking :)
No I didn’t weigh it, but loosely measured, not smacked and packed down.
I have a confession…I’ve never had puppy chow. Seriously, never! Sort of embarrassing and sad.
I love the peanut butter and cocoa powder addition! It’s also great knowing that I could eat a couple handfuls of this without feeling guilty :) Great recipe Averie!
you HAVE TO change that, asap! :)
It’s nice to see a lightened up version of the best cereal snack mix ever made! I like the cocoa powder dusting and sea salt (I like to finish truffles that way too–faster than dipping). I thought of you yesterday when I saw that Nestlé has a new candy bar–butterfinger PB cups….2 faves in 1 for me!!
Oh I haven’t even seen that one! I will keep my eyes peeled :)
And yes to just dusting (rather than dipping) – faster, less cals, and less mess!
I love that use tossed with cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar. What a smart substitution!
Rich taste, and basically no calories. A no-brainer!
I LOVE puppy chow. The idea of sea salt (one of my favorite things on earth) is a great idea.
salty-and-sweet always works!
Can’t beat chocolate & peanut butter; or a healthier version of chow mix :)
Wishing you a belated happy new year, Averie! Hope all is well.
Happy New Year right back! xoxo
What!? Healthier chow! Yes sir may I have another sir:)
Healthier Chow, indeed! :)