Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (2024)

4.5 from 6 votes

(Click the stars to vote)

40 comments

Jump to Recipe

Mar 5, 2019 Jul 5, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Combine the flavors of a popular candy bar into a new twist on a classic muddy buddies recipe. Almond Joy Puppy Chow is a sweet no-bake snack mix with Chex cereal and almonds covered in almond butter, chocolate, and coconut. You won’t be able to stop eating them!

Want more puppy chow without peanut butter? Try Chai Tea White Chocolate Puppy Chow with warm spices or Key Lime Pie Puppy Chow with a little zing of citrus.

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (3)

Table of Contents

  • Puppy Chow without Peanut Butter?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Almond Joy Puppy Chow
  • Storage
  • Tips for Success
  • Things you’ll need
  • Get the Recipe
  • More no-bake desserts with chocolate

Puppy Chow without Peanut Butter?

Puppy Chow. Muddy Buddies. Chex Mix. Whatever you call it, you know what it is. That sweet cereal snack mix coated in peanut butter and chocolate then tossed in powdered sugar. It may look like kibble, which is how it got its name, but it’s not for dogs to eat. Humans, on the other hand, can’t get enough.

But if you don’t like peanut butter, are allergic, or just want to change things up, you may be wondering if you can make muddy buddies without peanut butter.

The answer is, of course, YES!

There are so many puppy chow recipes in all kinds of flavors and combinations. Many simply coat the cereal in chocolate, which is great for those with nut allergies. However, if you are simply looking for something new, or you just love Almond Joy candy bars. Then you have to try this version.

It swaps the peanut butter for almond butter! Then with some almonds added in with the Chex cereal, coconut oil in place of the butter, and a sweet coating of powdered sugar and coconut flakes, there is no shortage of deliciousness. Just try to keep your hands away!

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (4)

Ingredients

  • Powdered sugar
  • Shredded sweetened coconut flakes
  • Chex cereal – you can useany variety, or a combination. Just be sure to use Rice or Corn Chex for gluten free. Even Chocolate Chex works for extra chocolaty flavor.
  • Unsalted almonds – lightly toast them in the oven or in a skillet over low heat, if you like.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – vegan chips are an option to make this completely dairy free.
  • Almond butter – creamy works best.
  • Coconut oil – gives the chocolate an extra hint of cocnu*t flavor, but you can also use butter and about 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract added with the vanilla.
  • Vanilla extract – be sure it is gluten free, if needed.
Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (5)

How to Make Almond Joy Puppy Chow

Make the coconut-sugar coating. In a mini food processor or blender jar, combine the powdered sugar and coconut, and pulse until the mixture is mostly a powder. It is fine to leave some larger pieces of coconut. Pour it into a large plastic storage bag.

Combine the Chex and almonds. Toss them together in a large bowl, and set aside.

Make the chocolate mixture. Combine the chocolate chips, almond butter, and coconut oil in a medium bowl and microwave on High for 1 minute (or melt on the stove over low heat, preferably in a double boiler). Stir until completely melted, then stir in the vanilla extract.

  • Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (6)
  • Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (7)

Coat the cereal in chocolate and powdered sugar. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex and almonds, and stir until the cereal is completely coated. Transfer the mixture into the bag with the sugar and coconut, seal, and toss until the cereal and almonds are evenly coated.

  • Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (8)
  • Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (9)

Let it cool. Finally, pour everything onto a sheet pan lined with wax paper and spread it in a single layer to cool and dry.

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (10)

Storage

Muddy buddies should be stored in an airtight container and can be kept at room temperature for 3 or 4 days. Because these contain coconut oil instead of butter, if it is warm in your house, they may be a little stickier than the ones made with butter. If you prefer, you can keep them refrigerated for up to a week.

You can also freeze puppy chow for up to 2 to 3 months. When you are ready to thaw them, keep them sealed tightly until they have come up to temperature to avoid condensation that could dissolve and melt the sugar coating.

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (11)

Tips for Success

No mini food processor or chopper? If you have a standard blender with a blender jar, screw the blade off of the bottom and screw it onto a standard mason jar.

Don’t overheat the chocolate. It’s very important or it will seize. Start by microwaving it for about a minute. Then give it a stir and it should be smooth enough. If not, only heat it in additional 10-15 second increments. Should you decide to do it on the stove, a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water is the safest option.

Customize your puppy chow. Swap out the nuts and nut butter to make other flavor combinations, or even try white chocolate. If you really love the classic version with peanut butter, try adding extra peanuts too.

Speed it up. You can pop your sheet pan into the refrigerator if you want it to firm up more quickly.

Got extra?

If you managed to not finish it all, here are some fun recipes to make with the leftovers…

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (12)

Muddy Buddies Cheeseball

Such a fun party snack. Just replace the peanut butter with almond butter, then crush your leftover Almond Joy Puppy Chow to coat it.

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (13)

No-Churn Muddy Buddies Ice Cream

Turn this sweet snack into an even sweeter dessert. Again, you’ll want to replace the peanut butter with almond butter or give it a swirl of fudge instead. Then stir in the Almond Joy Muddy Buddies before freezing.

Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (14)

Things you’ll need

Brianne Recommends

SPATULAS – I like to use silicone spatulas because they are heat-resistant and easy to clean. I used the small one for stirring the melted chocolate and a larger one for tossing together the Chex mix.

WAX PAPER – You’ll need this to keep the puppy chow from sticking as it cools.

SHEET PAN – a nice large one will allow you to spread the muddy buddies in an even layer. I used these for Nordicware pretty much every single day.

BAGGY HOLDER – while not exxential, these do make it easier to hold the bag open while you pour in the ingredients so you are less likely to spill stuff all over your counter.

    Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (19)

    4.5 from 6 votes

    Almond Joy Puppy Chow

    This puppy chow recipe adds the flavors you love in an Almond Joy candy bar to a classic muddy buddies recipe. This almond butter puppy chow is peanut-free and gluten-free, with a vegan option!

    Prep: 10 minutes mins

    Total: 10 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
    • 8 cups Chex, any variety or a combination (use Corn or Rice Chex for gluten free)
    • 2 cups unsalted almonds
    • 1 ccup semi-sweet chocolate chips use vegan and/or gluten-free chocolate chips, if needed
    • 1/2 cup almond butter
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil – see note below
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • In a mini food processor or blender jar, combine the powdered sugar and coconut, and pulse until the mixture is mostly a powder. It is fine to leave some larger pieces of coconut.

    • Place the sugar-coconut mixture in a large plastic storage bag.

    • Combine the Chex and almonds in a large bowl, and set aside.

    • Combine the chocolate chips, almond butter, and coconut oil in a medium bowl and microwave on High for 1 minute (or melt on the stove over low heat, preferably in a double boiler).

    • Stir until completely melted, then stir in the vanilla extract.

    • Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex and almonds, and stir until the cereal is completely coated.

    • Transfer the mixture into the bag with the sugar and coconut, seal, and toss until the cereal and almonds are evenly coated.

    • Pour onto wax paper to cool and dry. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    *If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use butter, and maybe a little coconut extract for that additional coconut flavor.

    Nutrition Facts

    Almond Joy Puppy Chow

    Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

    Calories 339Calories from Fat 189

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 21g32%

    Saturated Fat 7g35%

    Sodium 141mg6%

    Potassium 266mg8%

    Carbohydrates 31g10%

    Fiber 4g16%

    Sugar 15g17%

    Protein 6g12%

    Vitamin A 255IU5%

    Vitamin C 3mg4%

    Calcium 121mg12%

    Iron 6.1mg34%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Snacks

    Cuisine: American

    Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (20)

    Did you make this?

    Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips

    Leave a Rating Instagram Pin Recipe

    Categories:

    • Desserts
    • Desserts
    • Gluten Free
    • Sweet
    • Vegetarian

    More no-bake desserts with chocolate

    • Flourless Almond Joy Cookie Dough Ball
    • Double Chocolate Snickers Fudge
    • No-Churn Reese’s Ice Cream Cake
    Coconut Almond Butter Puppy Chow Recipe - Tastes Like Almond Joy! (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you use coconut oil instead of almond butter? ›

    Coconut oil, like regular butter, can serve as an good alternative to almond butter in specific cases or in a pinch. Notes: When melted, it has a thinner consistency, but solidifies at room temperature, which may affect the overall texture of the recipe.

    Can you replace almond butter with dairy butter? ›

    Replacement ratio: 1:1

    Nut butters such as almond butter, cashew butter and peanut butter make great vegan and dairy-free butter substitutions. Their sweet, smooth and creamy textures make ideal butter replacements - but you may find your bake has a slightly different flavour due to their nutty ingredients.

    Can almond butter be made from almond flour? ›

    You can easily made a wholesome and creamy almond butter using almond flour that most of us have in our pantry these days. Only one ingredient without any added oil and it's done in less than 5 minutes.

    Which is healthier almond oil or coconut oil? ›

    Almond oil and coconut oil have benefits for skin and hair, but almond oil is better to ingest because it is a healthy monounsaturated fat. Almonds are among the healthiest of nuts. They have healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, which are beneficial substances in plants.

    Is coconut butter healthier than almond butter? ›

    Nutrition: Coconut butter vs almond butter

    Coconut butter is super high in saturated fat, whereas almond butter has a much lower saturated fat content. Almond butter also has a fair amount more protein, which makes it a great addition to your smoothie or protein shake!

    Why does almond butter taste better than peanut butter? ›

    The Difference in Taste and Texture

    In the context of almond butter vs peanut butter, the first one typically has a more pronounced and slightly sweet almond taste, whereas the second one offers a deeply savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. Texture, which is a matter of personal preference, varies between the two.

    Why is almond butter so much better than peanut butter? ›

    Peanut butter has higher saturated fats, which should be taken in moderation. Almond butter, on the contrary, has more monounsaturated fats that are thought to be heart-healthy and can contribute to lowering harmful cholesterol levels. These fats are high in energy and help in the digestion of fat-soluble vitamins.

    Why is my homemade almond butter not creamy? ›

    Roasting them for just 10 minutes before blending allows the natural oils within the almonds to release toward the skin, which really helps in the blending process. So if you don't want to roast them, you will need to add some oil, about 2 or so tablespoons to help it become creamy.

    Is it cheaper to buy or make your own almond butter? ›

    Surprisingly, homemade almond butter is not always cheaper than the store-bought version. If you compare them on a cost-per-ounce basis, 1 ounce of whole almonds costs more than 1 ounce of almond butter. In this case, homemade is better because of the flavor, not necessarily because of the cost.

    Is it cheaper to buy or make almond butter? ›

    Homemade almond butter is more affordable, too.

    Just compare the price of one pound of raw almonds to the price of your favorite almond butter. The cost savings depend largely on the almond butter. I've bought jars of almond butter at Trader Joe's for seven dollars, so there's not much savings opportunity there.

    What can I use if I don't have almond butter? ›

    The Top 10 Almond Butter Alternatives
    • Cashew Butter. Cashew butter, another popular pick, offers a delightful creaminess and mild sweetness. ...
    • Pistachio Butter. ...
    • Hazelnut Butter. ...
    • Walnut Butter. ...
    • Sunflower Seed Butter. ...
    • Tahini. ...
    • Pecan Butter. ...
    • Macadamia Nut Butter.
    Jan 19, 2024

    What can I use to substitute almond butter? ›

    What is a good substitute for almond butter?
    • Cashew butter. Cashew butter has a mild buttery flavor and similar consistency, making it a great alternative to almond butter in various recipes. ...
    • Sunflower seed butter. ...
    • Peanut butter. ...
    • Tahini. ...
    • Oat butter. ...
    • Coconut butter.
    Aug 9, 2023

    What to use if you don't have almond butter? ›

    Best Almond Butter Substitutes
    1. Peanut Butter. This one is quite obvious! ...
    2. Pistachio Butter. Pistachio butter is another great option to use in replace of almond butter as a creamy spread. ...
    3. Sunflower Seed Butter. Nut-free option! ...
    4. Pumpkin Seed Butter. ...
    5. Tahini. ...
    6. Granola Butter. ...
    7. SoyNut Butter. ...
    8. Chickpea Butter.
    Jul 3, 2022

    What happens when you substitute coconut oil for butter? ›

    Coconut oil can replace butter in baking at a 1:1 ratio, though it may slightly change the flavor, with some types of coconut oil affecting taste more than others. Unrefined coconut oil tends to taste more like coconut than refined varieties. It works great for recipes that require tropical or rich chocolate flavors.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Melvina Ondricka

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6836

    Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

    Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Melvina Ondricka

    Birthday: 2000-12-23

    Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

    Phone: +636383657021

    Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

    Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

    Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.