Muddy buddies have always been one of my favorite sweet snacks to make for movie nights at home.

Traditional recipes usually use dairy, which can make it hard to enjoy if you have a sensitive stomach or avoid milk products.

That is why I created these dairy free protein muddy buddies that still give you all the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavor.

I also mixed in some protein powder with the coating, so the snack keeps you full a bit longer than the original version.

It takes less than fifteen minutes of hands-on prep, and you do not even need to turn on your oven.

Why This Recipe Is a Keeper

Classic Flavor Without Dairy – You get the same rich chocolate and peanut butter flavor without any milk or butter.

Sneaky Protein Boost – Vanilla protein powder and powdered peanut butter add great nutrition to a sweet treat.

Unbeatable Powdery Crunch – Crisp Chex cereal stays wonderfully crunchy under a thick, sweet coating of melted chocolate.

No Oven Required – You only need a microwave to melt the mix, keeping this entire recipe quick and cool.

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Muddy Buddies

7 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 cup Dairy Free Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 pinch Salt

For the Protein Coating

1/2 cup Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 cup Powdered Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

How to Make It

Step 1

Pour the cereal into a large bowl. In a large zip top bag or a big lidded container, combine the protein powder, powdered peanut butter and powdered sugar and shake to mix.

Step 2

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely smooth. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

Step 3

Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently fold with a spatula until every piece is evenly coated.

Step 4

Transfer the coated cereal to the bag with the protein coating in two batches, sealing and shaking after each addition until every piece is fully covered.

Step 5

Spread the muddy buddies on a parchment lined baking sheet and let them set for 20 minutes, so the coating firms up into that classic powdery crunch. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Recipe Tips

Pick a Smooth Plant Protein

I recommend using a pea-protein blend or an almond-based vanilla protein powder. Some plant proteins have a naturally gritty texture that will make the coating feel sandy.

A finely milled protein powder blends smoothly with the powdered sugar and powdered peanut butter. This gives you that classic soft, melt-in-your-mouth coating instead of a chalky bite.

Melt the Chocolate Gently

Dairy-free chocolate chips have less fat than regular chocolate, so they burn much faster in the microwave. I’ve found that reducing your microwave power to 50 percent makes a huge difference.

Stop every 20 to 30 seconds to stir the bowl, even if the chips still look solid. The residual heat from the peanut butter and coconut oil will melt the rest without scorching.

Cool the Chocolate Before Coating

You’ll get the best results if you let the warm chocolate mixture rest for about two minutes before pouring it on the cereal.

If the melted mixture is piping hot, it softens the Rice Chex and makes them soggy. A slight cool-down keeps each piece light and crunchy underneath the chocolate layer.

What to Make Next