Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow

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This fall inspired version of the popular snack is bursting with pumpkin and cinnamon flavor in every crunchy bite.

pumpkin spice puppy chow in an orange bowl

Hi, hello, welcome to my favorite snack.

If you’re not aware, I am the self-proclaimed (and supported by others) puppy chow queen, thanks to publishing an entire cookbook of puppy chow recipes in 2015.

aerial photo of pumpkin spice puppy chow sitting in an orange bowl

So you should arrive at this recipe trusting of me and willing to try what I know will likely wind up as one of your favorite fall snacks, too. I’m basically a puppy chow pro, so I promise, this pumpkin spice puppy chow will not disappoint!

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pumpkin spice puppy chow in an orange bowl

Are you confused by “puppy chow”? This is not a food for dogs. This is most certainly a food for humans, and you’ve definitely seen this type of snack before.

Remember Muddy Buddies growing up? And what you can now buy in a bag? This is that, but with fall written all over it.

Puppy chow is made with three basic ingredients:
Chex cereal, melted chocolate, and powdered sugar to seal it all in.

pumpkin spice puppy chow sitting in an orange bowl

There are many different variations to this theme (see my cake batter puppy chow, candy cane puppy chow, Biscoff puppy chow, brownie batter puppy chow, and cornbread puppy chow).

You simply change up the chocolate (either semi-sweet or white depending on your flavor goal) and add in flavorings to bring it all together.

This pumpkin spice puppy chow recipe is made with white chocolate, pumpkin pie spice, and a touch of orange food coloring, if desired, to make it all orange.

chex sitting in a glass bowl and orange candy melts being poured over them for pumpkin spice puppy chow

I also like to add in white, orange, and yellow nonpareil sprinkles for an added fall look and also some extra crunch. Sprinkles/nonpareils are totally optional.

The general gist of puppy chow is:
1) coat the cereal with chocolate
2) add the add-ins
3) seal it all in with powered sugar
4) allow to cool (this does not take long)
5) enjoy!

See? Super easy peasy.

I will say, I have made this recipe with Wilton pumpkin spice candy melts as well as pumpkin spice Hershey’s Kisses. You can absolutely use either of these and just omit the pumpkin pie spice and coloring, if you’re lucky enough to find them!

two little hands grabbing pumpkin spice puppy chow

Puppy chow never lasts long in our house, especially with two little taste-testers around.

But I guarantee you’ll love this fall puppy chow recipe, and maybe you’ll even want to make a double batch, just to be safe. Seriously… This stuff is dangerously good!

pumpkin spice puppy chow scattered on top of burlap

It also makes a great treat for Trick-or-Treaters and school party snack bags!

aerial photo of pumpkin spice puppy chow sitting in an orange bowl
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Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow

This fall inspired version of the popular snack is bursting with pumpkin and cinnamon flavor in every crunchy bite. Only 3 ingredients and 10 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Recipe Author Lynn April
Servings: 5 cups

Ingredients

  • 5 cups (135g) Rice Chex® cereal
  • 8 ounces (227g) white chocolate1 chopped
  • 1 and ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice2
  • orange food coloring optional
  • cup (98g) nonpareil sprinkles3 optional
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Pour the cereal into a large bowl. Set aside.
  • Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave for 20 seconds on HIGH, stir, and heat again as necessary in 20-second increments until completely melted. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice and food coloring, if using, until completely blended.
  • Immediately pour melted candy over cereal and stir gently to coat.
  • Pour cereal into a large zip-top bag or large container with a tight-fitting lid and add the sprinkles (if using). Shake until all of the sprinkles are dispersed evenly.
  • Add the powdered sugar to the cereal and shake again until everything is coated. Spread onto baking sheet lined with foil or parchment and allow to cool. Discard excess powder. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week.

Notes

  1. Do not use white chocolate chips: If you can find them, Wilton pumpkin spice candy melts or pumpkin spice Hershey’s Kisses also work here. Omit pumpkin pie spice and coloring and follow the same instructions.
  2. Pumpkin pie spice: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground ginger.
  3. Sprinkles: nonpareil sprinkles are optional, but add a fun festive touch and crunchy texture. I have also used add-ins such as mini cinnamon chips, pepitas, sunflower seeds, or festive m&ms. 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @freshaprilflours on Instagram or tag #freshaprilflours!

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

Want more gluten free pumpkin recipes? My pumpkin pie smoothie should be on your list next!

pumpkin pie smoothie

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8 Comments

  1. Puppy chow strikes again! Thank you for including the alternative for those of us who live in countries where pumpkin isn’t a huge thing (why, Australia, why!) – I can’t wait to make these with white chocolate and pumpkin spice. Now I just need to find some Chex like GF cereal. These will be perfect for our little Halloween party, or maybe for treating my co-workers 🙂 Thanks Lynn!
    Happy Halloween costume hunting 🙂 Chris and I are part of my Dad’s Halloween display this year – he is going to be a pirate (it works with his beard) and I’m going to be the ghost bride 🙂

    1. What the heck, Australia? One of these days, I’m going to package up all the goodies you can’t get there and send it off to you so you can bake away in elusive ingredient heaven, sound good? Haha!
      A ghost bride, eh? I’m too much of a scaredy cat to probably even be something too scary myself… We always do a group costume at work and we were zombie Disney Princesses a couple years ago. I creeped myself out just being that!!

    2. I don’t think I’ve ever succeeded in scaring anyone. I think I come off as more of a slightly dippy cute ghost bride… I love the idea of zombie Disney Princesses though! So cool!