Protein Puppy Chow
Pull Up a Chair – Let’s Make Some Ridiculously Good Protein Puppy Chow
Have you ever started making a treat just to have half of it disappear before you’re even done? That’s me every single time with my Protein Puppy Chow. (Shoutout to my brother who always claims he’s just “testing.” Sure, buddy.) I got into the habit of making this stuff back in grad school – super low on cash, really high on snack cravings, and always looking for ways to justify chocolate for dinner. Adding protein powder? Genius or desperate? Who cares! It tastes awesome.
I’ll say, it took a couple iffy tries (lets just say not all peanut butters are created equal), but with a little kitchen fiddling, I finally landed this version – and now I’m forever being asked, “When are you going to bring that weird powdery chocolate mix again?” I say, why wait for a potluck? Let’s just make it today.
Why You’ll Love This (Or, Why I Keep Making It)
Here’s the deal: I make this when I’m craving something sweet but want to feel like I made a good life choice. That extra protein? Sometimes it even keeps me from raiding the fridge at midnight (not always, let’s be honest). My family goes bonkers for this stuff—if I set out a bowl during game night, blink and you’ll miss it—except that one time I tried using the chunky peanut butter. Big nope (unless you’re into chewing your peanut butter like bubblegum). And if you’re in a mood (we all get ’em), making it is a lot more fun than eating raw protein powder out of the tub with a spoon. Trust me. I’ve been there.
What You’ll Need (Plus My Swaps and Quick Fixes)
- 5 cups cereal – Usually Chex, but honestly, the off-brand stuff works fine. Rice or corn, pick your poison. I’ve used broken up graham crackers once when I ran out – odd, but y’know, wasn’t awful.
- 1/2 cup peanut butter – Creamy! Crunchy if you’re feeling wild, though the texture turns a bit odd. Almond butter’s alright too, but, eh, I’d stick with good old PB personally.
- 1 cup chocolate chips – Milk, dark, semi-sweet, or that fancy stuff with sea salt (my cousin swears by it; I don’t really notice much difference).
- 1/2 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder – Any brand; seriously, whatever you dug out of your gym bag is probably fine. Plant-based works too, but it makes things a lil’ more, uh, earthy.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – Sometimes I use a bit less if I’m feeling healthy. (Ha.)
- Pinch of salt – Optional, but wow, it matters.
How I Throw It Together (With Obvious Snack Breaks)
- First up, grab a giant mixing bowl. You want room to toss things around. Pour the cereal in – try not to smash it all.
- In a microwaveable bowl, combine the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then stir. Keep zapping in short bursts until it’s smooth and melty (if you overdo it, it’ll seize up—don’t ask how I know).
- This is where I usually sneak a spoonful. No shame.
- Pour the melted mixture over the cereal. Gently fold it together. Don’t worry if you’re not coating every single piece – I actually prefer the random bites better.
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then dump in the protein powder and powdered sugar. I do this in a big zip-top bag for maximum shake effect. Or just toss everything in the bowl and hope for the best; washing a bag is annoying anyway.
- Shake or stir until everything’s snow-dusted and clumpy. Sample a piece. Actually, sample three, because consistency checking is important work.
Don’t sweat it if the texture’s a little lumpy; it’ll all sort itself out in your mouth anyway.
Messes, Discoveries & Random Notes
- Once, I let the chocolate get way too hot and it stiffened up like concrete. Actually, I find it works better if you stir more than you think.
- I used chocolate protein powder once and, while nice, it made everything look like it had been dusted with cocoa from a shoestring bakery. Not a bad thing though.
- No shame in licking the bowl clean. That’s just good sense.
I’ve Tried These Variations (With Mixed Results)
- Nutella instead of peanut butter? Super tasty, extra sticky.
- Peppermint extract – once, for winter vibes. Family was like, “Um, what IS this?” Maybe leave that for holiday experiments.
- Swapped in cinnamon protein powder once. Not bad, but also, not amazing. Wouldn’t do it again, but hey, someone might like it.
- Sometimes I toss in mini marshmallows for a s’mores thing. My niece thinks they’re like finding hidden treasure.
Equipment (But There’s Always a Way Around)
- Big mixing bowl – but hey, I’ve used a soup pot when desperate.
- Microwave-safe bowl for melting – no microwave? Just a saucepan over low heat. Or, in a pinch, a hairdryer held very close (joking… but also, sort of worked?).
- Large zip-top bag or a container with a lid – but hands work too, if you don’t mind a powdered sugar manicure.
Keeping It Fresh (But It’s Gone Before You Blink)
I store any leftovers (when pigs fly) in an airtight container at room temp. Supposedly, it keeps for 3 or 4 days, but honestly, in my house it never even makes it to day two. If it gets a little soft, just pop it in the fridge for a bit. Crunch returns!
How I Like to Serve Protein Puppy Chow
Scoop it into little bowls (if you want to pretend you’re being portion conscious) or dump it right onto a platter for everyone to go ham. Sometimes, when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll layer it in mason jars, tie a bit of string around, and pass them out at BBQs or tailgates—though let’s face it, the string is just for show. Oh, and my cousin insists a cold glass of milk is non-negotiable; I prefer coffee. We’ve debated it for years!
Real Talk: My Hard-Earned Pro Tips
- I once rushed the cooling part and the sugar just turned into weird icing blobs. Now, I wait a couple minutes before coating, even though I’m tempted not to. Patience, I guess.
- Don’t use a tiny bowl – you’ll end up with cereal all over your counter, and probably in your sock somehow.
- If you use a protein powder that tastes like ground-up cardboard, you’ll get cardboard chow. Not everything can be fixed with chocolate (sadly).
People Actually Ask Me These Things (Seriously)
- Can I use a flavored protein powder? – Oh, definitely. Just… maybe avoid the bubblegum one my friend brought over once. Still traumatized.
- Is this okay for kids? – Sure, but maybe go easy on the protein powder if they’re little. Also, warning: it’s messy stuff.
- Can I freeze this? – You probably could, but I never have. On second thought, I think it would just get weirdly chewy.
- Is this for dogs? – Nope! Despite the name, don’t feed this to your pup. They’ll give you sad eyes, but stay strong.
- What if I mix too hard and crush the cereal? – No big deal. You’ll just end up with clusters. Actually, some people prefer it that way!
Alright, if you need a reason to blend childhood nostalgia with a little extra protein (and a tiny ceremony of dusting the whole kitchen), this Protein Puppy Chow is your golden ticket. Go on, make a mess – it’s part of the fun. And if anyone asks about the powdery footprints through the hallway, you can always just blame the dog.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rice or corn Chex cereal
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 scoop (about 30g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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1Add chocolate chips, peanut butter, and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until melted and smooth.
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2Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the melted mixture.
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3In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the Rice Chex cereal with the melted chocolate mixture until all cereal is evenly coated.
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4Sprinkle the protein powder over the coated cereal and toss gently to distribute.
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5Add the powdered sugar to a large resealable bag, pour in the coated cereal, seal the bag, and shake well until the cereal is thoroughly coated with sugar.
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6Spread the protein puppy chow on a baking sheet to cool and set. Store in an airtight container.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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