Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix

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A burst of color, crunch, and sweetness, the Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix is a fun and festive treat that brings the nostalgic flavors of Neapolitan ice cream into an irresistible munchable form. With layers of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate coating crispy rice cereal, this snack mix is perfect for parties, holidays, or just a cozy night in. The pastel pinks, creamy whites, and rich browns not only look beautiful in a bowl but deliver a satisfying mix of textures and flavors in every bite.

Whether you’re preparing a sweet snack for Valentine’s Day, a birthday celebration, or a last-minute treat for movie night, this no-bake recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort. It’s a colorful twist on the classic muddy buddies recipe, replacing peanut butter and chocolate with a variety of melted baking chips and powdered sugar to represent the three iconic Neapolitan flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix

• A no-bake recipe that’s quick to make and perfect for beginners.
• Visually appealing with its vibrant, tri-color cereal coating.
• A creative twist on a beloved childhood favorite.
• Perfect for gifting, holidays, party favors, or sharing at gatherings.
• Customizable in flavor strength and color intensity to suit your preference.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use (In this headline mention the essential Tools and Equipment, also the importance of Each Tool)

To make this snack mix as effortlessly as possible, you’ll need a few kitchen basics:

• Microwave-safe bowls (x3): Essential for melting each flavor of chips separately without flavor crossover.
• Spatulas or Spoons (x3): Use one for each bowl to mix the cereal with the melted coating evenly.
• Large Ziplock Bags or Mixing Bowls (x3): Needed to shake the coated cereal with powdered sugar, ensuring an even dusting.
• Baking Sheet (optional): Useful for spreading out the mix to cool and set before serving.

Each tool helps maintain clean color separation and keeps your process smooth and organized.

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Preparation Tips

Set out all your ingredients and tools before starting. Since timing matters when working with melted chips, it helps to be ready. Melt each type of baking chip slowly in the microwave to avoid scorching—heat in short intervals and stir frequently. Gently fold the cereal into the melted coating to avoid breaking the squares. Once coated, shake with powdered sugar in a bag or mix in a bowl with a light hand to get a beautiful powdery finish. For bolder color, add a drop of gel food coloring to the strawberry and vanilla batches. Allow each flavor to cool separately before combining to keep the colors vibrant and distinct.

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Ingredients for Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix

• 6 cups rice square cereal, divided into 3 portions (2 cups per flavor)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup strawberry-flavored chips or pink candy melts
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar per flavor (1 1/2 cups total)
• Optional: 1–2 drops pink gel food coloring (for brighter strawberry color)
• Optional: 1–2 drops white gel food coloring (for a whiter vanilla layer)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (to enhance the white chocolate flavor)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon strawberry extract (to boost the strawberry layer)
• Optional: Pinch of salt for each batch to balance sweetness

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Step 1: Prepare Workstation and Divide Ingredients

Start by dividing your cereal into three separate bowls, 2 cups each. Have three additional bowls ready for melting your chips, and prepare three large Ziplock bags or large mixing bowls for tossing with powdered sugar.

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Step 2: Make the Chocolate Puppy Chow Layer

Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Once melted, pour it over one bowl of cereal and gently fold until all pieces are evenly coated. Transfer the chocolate-coated cereal to a Ziplock bag with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until fully coated. Pour onto a baking sheet to cool and set.

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Step 3: Make the Vanilla (White Chocolate) Puppy Chow Layer

In a clean bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave, using the same method as before. If desired, stir in a drop or two of white gel coloring and vanilla extract. Pour the melted mixture over another 2 cups of cereal. Fold gently until coated, then place in a new Ziplock bag with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and shake until fully coated. Spread on a baking sheet to cool.

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Step 4: Make the Strawberry Puppy Chow Layer

Repeat the process with the strawberry-flavored chips or pink candy melts. If you want a more vibrant pink color, add a bit of pink gel food coloring and/or strawberry extract. Coat the third portion of cereal, then toss it in 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a separate bag. Shake well and spread out to cool.

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Step 5: Combine and Serve

Once all three flavors have cooled and set, gently mix them together in a large serving bowl. Make sure the coatings are dry to the touch before combining to prevent color bleeding.

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Step 6: Store Properly (optional)

If not serving immediately, store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep it crunchy and fresh.

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Notes

This Neapolitan Puppy Chow is as adaptable as it is delicious. You can customize the sweetness level by reducing the powdered sugar slightly or boosting the flavor intensity with a touch of extract in each batch. If you can’t find strawberry chips, pink candy melts with a drop of strawberry extract work beautifully. Gel food coloring enhances the visual contrast without adding excess liquid. Let each batch cool completely before mixing to maintain color clarity and crunch.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overheating chocolate chips: They can seize or burn quickly. Always microwave in short bursts and stir frequently.
• Stirring too aggressively: This can crush the cereal. Fold gently to coat evenly without breaking the pieces.
• Not cooling before combining: Mixing flavors too soon can cause the coatings to melt into each other, dulling the colors.
• Skipping flavor boosters: While optional, extracts add depth and help mimic true Neapolitan flavors.
• Using too much food coloring: Overdoing it can lead to an artificial taste or overly vibrant colors.

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Storage Instructions

Store the finished snack mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Avoid refrigeration as it can make the cereal go stale. If you’re prepping in advance for an event, you can also freeze the coated cereal (before combining) in zip-sealed freezer bags for up to 1 month. Just thaw at room temperature before mixing the flavors together.

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Estimated Nutrition

(Per 1/2 cup serving — approximate)

• Calories: 220
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 2mg
• Sodium: 55mg
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 20g
• Protein: 2g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe nut-free?

Yes! There are no nuts in this recipe, and as long as you choose nut-free chips, it’s completely nut-free.

What if I can’t find strawberry chips?

Use pink candy melts and add a few drops of strawberry extract for flavor. You can also try freeze-dried strawberry powder.

Can I use other cereals instead of rice squares?

Crispy rice cereal works best due to its texture and shape, but corn Chex or other square cereals are suitable substitutes.

How can I make this dairy-free?

Use dairy-free baking chips and check that your cereal is also dairy-free.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can use less powdered sugar, but it may affect the texture and flavor coating.

Is it safe for kids to help make this?

Absolutely! Just supervise during the chocolate melting phase, and kids can help with shaking the bags and mixing.

How long does it stay fresh?

About 5–7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Yes, just increase the ingredients proportionally and prepare each batch separately for best results.

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Conclusion

This Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix offers a playful, crunchy, and colorful twist on a classic treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re prepping for a party, gifting to friends, or indulging in a creative snack, this recipe delivers on all fronts—flavor, visual appeal, and ease. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser ready in no time.

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