Chai White Chocolate Muddy Buddies

Some teas are wonderful on their own, or maybe with just a touch of honey or a small splash of milk. However, Chai tea lends itself towards combining those warm spices with something rich, sweet, and creamy, just like the ever-popular Chai tea latte. So that makes it a perfect match to be infused into the white chocolate and then coated in powdered sugar. This Chai Tea White Chocolate Puppy Chow is like a latte you can eat.

I’ve tested different versions of puppy chow over the years, and this chai-spiced white chocolate mix is always the one everyone asks for. The warm spices blend perfectly with the creamy chocolate for a flavor that feels cozy but not too sweet. Whether you call them “muddy buddies” or “puppy chow”, I’m sure they will be a favorite any time of the year. But I especially love them during the Christmas season to snack on while I’m watching a favorite holiday movie, or to share as edible gifts!

Why You’ll Love White Chocolate Puppy Chow

These Muddy Buddies are a little extra-special! Here’s why you’ll love them…

• Incredibly easy. With only four ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, this sweet snack mix might just disappear faster than you can make it.
• Lightly spiced. Instead of overwhelming you with way too much cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, this recipe uses loose-leaf tea or the leaves from a tea bag. That gives the hint of spice and the flavor of tea, with no artificial flavors or cloying sweetness you might get from a powdered drink mix.
• Gluten free option. Both Rice and Corn Chex are gluten free, so you can use either of them. Just be sure your brands of white chocolate chips and Chai are gluten free. See the ingredient section for more info.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Powdered sugar
• Chex cereal – you can use your favorite variety. Use Corn Chex or Rice Chex for gluten free puppy chow. You could even use Cinnamon-Sugar Chex for an extra hit of warm spices.
• Chai tea bag or loose tea – not a powdered Chai drink mix, especially if you are making this as a gluten free recipe, since those can contain gluten! Also, regarding gluten free Chai, be sure to read labels for gluten ingredients or check with the manufacturer. At the time of writing Celestial Seasonings, Lipton, The Republic of Tea, and more are gluten-free, but this can always change. So make sure your information is up-to-date before you make these white chocolate muddy buddies.
• White chocolate chips – a few brands of white chocolate chips, including Ghirardelli, are not gluten-free. Be sure to read the labels if that is a concern for you. Generally, Nestle Toll House White Chocolate Chips are gluten-free. You can also use vegan chips to make it dairy free.

How to Make White Chocolate Muddy Buddies

Now that you have the ingredients, grab a bowl, a spatula, and a large plastic zip-top bag. Let’s get started…

• Preparations: Place powdered sugar in that plastic bag, and the Chex cereal in a large bowl, and set them aside. Then line a sheet pan with some wax paper.
• Melt the chocolate: Crush or grind the tea slightly, and add it to a bowl with the white chocolate chips. Melt white chocolate gently in the microwave (50% power, stirring after each 15-30 second interval until melted) or over a pot of gently simmering water.
• Coat the cereal: Pour melted chocolate over the Chex cereal and toss gently with a spatula until the cereal is completely coated.

• Toss with sugar: Transfer the cereal to the bag with the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and toss to coat completely with the powdered sugar.
• Let it cool: Empty the contents of the bag onto a sheet pan lined with wax paper or a silicone baking sheet to allow to cool and firm up.

Quick Tips

• Be prepared. Make sure you have the powdered sugar ready and waiting for you in the bag and the cereal in a bowl. Melted white chocolate chips can set up fast, so you’ll want to be ready to work quickly.
• It is thick. Again, when using white chocolate chips, they can be a little thick when melted, especially if you use the microwave, so it can look a little clumpy when you toss it with the cereal. That’s fine, and the pieces will separate when you shake them around with the powdered sugar. If you are concerned, then feel free to use melting wafers.
• Thin it out. Another option is to add 1 teaspoon of neutral oil (vegetable or coconut) to the white chocolate if it starts to clump. This keeps it smooth without thinning the flavor.
• Don’t heat too much. That will just make your white chocolate clump. So stire frequently if you are using the microwave, and keep a close eye and use low heat and a double-boiler (or makeshift one) if you melt the chips on the stove.

Make Gluten Free and/or Dairy Free Puppy Chow

• Use the right cereal. Both Rice Chex and Corn Chex are gluten free, so be sure to choose one of those when making gluten free muddy buddies.
• Go dairy free. Yes, you can use a brand of vegan chips if you want to make this recipe without dairy.
• Read your labels. Always check labels on white chocolate chips and chai blends, as gluten can appear in flavored products. I mention brands currently labeled gluten-free above in the ingredient section, but always confirm because formulations can change.

Other Variations

• Maple chai: Stir in about a quarter-teaspoon of maple extract to the melted chocolate.
• Vanilla chai: Add a teaspoon or two of vanilla bean paste for a stronger creamy flavor.
• Extra spice: Toss an extra pinch of cardamom or cinnamon into the powdered sugar.
• Crunchy mix-ins: Stir in slightly crushed gluten free graham crackers or gluten free vanilla wafers, or add a nutty flavor with roasted almonds or lightly toasted pecans.

Proper Storage

The white chocolate puppy chow can be kept sealed in a plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You do not have to refrigerate it, but some people like that it makes it a bit crunchier. It will also last a little longer.

You can even freeze muddy buddies for up to a month.

Can I Make Muddy Buddies Ahead?

This is a great recipe to make in advance for a party or even to give out as gifts, since it can be kept for a week or sometimes more. It is also easy to double to triple the batch to have enough for a crowd.