If you have time to whip up just one more thing this holiday season, make it Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow (for humans). That’s right, no pups were harmed in the making of this irresistibly-delicious, chocolate-peppermint treat that tastes exactly like Thin Mints – YES!
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy Chow is a holiday staple in the Midwest and is traditionally made with Rice Chex, peanut butter, butter, and chocolate. As an even more festive touch, I decided to swap the peanut butter with peppermint. This special holiday treat is gluten-free, nut free, and vegan yet you would never, ever guess. It is SO delicious!
What’s Inside
For this chocolate-peppermint version of Puppy Chow I swapped regular Rice Chex for Chocolate Rice Chex, then coated the cereal in a mixture of melted chocolate, coconut oil, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes, and THEN coated it all in powdered sugar. If you have to eat gluten free and miss eating Thin Mints – GET READY – because Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow is a dead ringer for the Girl Scout cookie favorite. I’m telling you, the flavor is identical, and it’s even got that irresistible crispy-crunchy thing going on. You better believe I will have this recipe on standby when the girl scouts come a knockin’ next year!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by crushing candy canes to get 1/2 cup crushed candy canes. I add the candy to a ziplock bag, place it on a towel, then have at it with a meat mallet.
I like to do this on a kitchen towel in case the bag rips from the candy shards. That way it goes on the towel vs the countertop and is easier to clean up. Set the candy aside.
Next melt semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life brand which are free from the Top 8 food allergens) with coconut oil in a large bowl in the microwave until smooth, then stir in peppermint extract. I use Watkins brand, which is gluten-free.
Add Chocolate Rice Chex cereal plus the candy canes then gently fold using a large spatula until the cereal is evenly coated in the chocolate mixture.
Split the cereal between 2 gallon-size Ziplock bags containing powdered sugar then seal and gently toss to coat the cereal in the powdered sugar.
Pour the Chocolate-Peppermint Puppy Chow onto parchment or wax paper then let cool for an hour or so before packaging up (or scarfing!!) This snack recipe is a hit for handmade holiday gifting, or as a hostess gift. Spoon into a treat bag or mason jar then tie with a bow. I can’t think of anything better. Enjoy, enjoy!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels Christmas Crunch Buckeyes Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Gluten Free Kiss Cookies Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies Gluten Free Sugar Cookies 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
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