4th of July Patriotic Muddy Buddies

Celebrate the 4th of July with this quick and simple Patriotic Muddy Buddies recipe that everyone will love!

I love making a quick and festive snack to enjoy with the family for the 4th of July. With only a few simple ingredients, this patriotic take on Muddy Buddies is a festive treat that's so simple, the kids can easily help. The addition of chocolate candies to Chex cereal coated in a chocolate peanut butter coating and powdered sugar makes it a great sweet and salty treat! It's perfect for holiday movie nights, parties, and when divided up and packaged, it's a great gift or party favor to share!

This Patriotic Muddy Buddies recipe couldn't be easier to make! You'll need just 7 ingredients: Chex cereal (I used corn), chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and red, white, and blue M&Ms, candy melts, and patriotic sprinkles.

Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, stir, and continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until fully melted. Once melted, add in vanilla extract and mix well until incorporated.

Fill a large mixing bowl with the Chex cereal, and pour the chocolate mixture on top. Toss the cereal gently to coat all of the cereal in chocolate.

Split the powdered sugar into two gallon storage bags, and then split the chocolate-covered cereal into the two bags. Shake the bags well to coat the cereal in the powdered sugar.

Pour the sugar-coated cereal onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Once cooled, add in some red and blue patriotic M&Ms and serve! Muddy Buddies are always a hit, and this batch is perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and more.

4th of July Patriotic Muddy Buddies

Servings: 24

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 9 cups Chex cereal
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup smooth peanut butter
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup patriotic M&Ms (red and blue)

Directions:

1. Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture well and cook for another 30 seconds.
   *If the chocolate mixture is still not melted, microwave in 15 second increments and stir until completely smooth.
2. Once melted, add in vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal, and toss gently until coated.
4. Divide the powdered sugar into two gallon storage bags.
5. Scoop the chocolate-covered cereal into the two bags, and shake well to coat the cereal with the sugar.
6. Spread the coated cereal onto a a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and allow the cereal to cool for 30 minutes.
7. Before serving, add patriotic M&Ms to the cereal and toss to distribute.

Tips: 

• Storage: store Muddy Buddies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Cereal may absorb some of the coating and become chewy over time.
• You can use any kind of Chex cereal.
• Change things up with different flavors of M&Ms (peanut, peanut butter, etc).

I'm so excited to whip up many more batches of 4th of July Patriotic Muddy Buddies to enjoy on the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or for a patriotic movie night. I hope you try them for yourself! Not only is it fun and simple enough for kids to make, but it's so delicious!! If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!

Looking for more 4th of July inspiration?

Check out this collection of OVER 100 creative 4th of July crafts and recipes!!

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