Description
A delightful and easy-to-make sweet snack mix combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious pistachio-flavored white chocolate and pudding mixture, dusted with powdered sugar and topped with crushed pistachios for an irresistible treat perfect for parties or everyday snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Cereal Base
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal (substitute Crispix or Corn Chex if desired)
Flavor Coating
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (or vanilla/butterscotch chips)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix (or vanilla/banana pudding)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Touches
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Crushed pistachios (optional; replace or omit for allergies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cereal: Place 6 cups of Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside to be coated later.
- Melt Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter by heating it in 30-second intervals to prevent burning, stirring between intervals until fully melted.
- Add White Chocolate and Sweetened Condensed Milk: Stir in 1 cup white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk into the melted butter. Microwave again in short bursts, stirring until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Incorporate Pistachio Pudding and Vanilla Extract: Blend in 1 box of instant pistachio pudding mix along with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the coating turns vibrant green and becomes smooth to create a flavorful pistachio mixture.
- Coat the Cereal: Pour the pistachio mixture over the Rice Chex cereal. Gently fold using a spatula or spoon to evenly coat all pieces without crushing the cereal.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Transfer the coated cereal into a large zip-top bag, add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, seal the bag tightly, and shake vigorously until all pieces are evenly coated with the sweet powdered sugar.
- Add Crushed Pistachios: Add crushed pistachios into the bag for added crunch and flavor. Seal again and shake gently to combine evenly without breaking the coated cereal too much.
- Serve or Store: Pour the finished Pistachio Puppy Chow into a serving bowl and enjoy immediately, or store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness for later snacking.
Notes
- Microwave heating should be done cautiously in short intervals to avoid burning delicate ingredients like white chocolate.
- You can swap Rice Chex cereal with other similar cereals like Crispix or Corn Chex depending on availability or preference.
- If allergic to pistachios, omit the crushed nuts or substitute with other nuts or seeds as desired.
- This snack is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For a different flavor profile, try swapping the pistachio pudding mix with vanilla or banana pudding mix.
