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Apple Pie Puppy Chow

Apple pie puppy chow is a no-bake snack where rice cereal squares get coated in a warm cinnamon-spiced white chocolate mixture and freeze-dried apple pieces fold through for fruity crunch. Shake with powdered sugar, then cool until set for a sweet, snackable bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

rice cereal squares
  • 9 cup rice cereal squares Use crispy cereal squares for best crunch.
white chocolate chips
  • 2 cup white chocolate chips Semi-sweet or milk chocolate can be swapped, but white keeps the classic look.
unsalted butter
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter Unsalted helps control sweetness.
ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
freeze-dried apple pieces
  • 1 cup freeze-dried apple pieces Crush coarsely so you get apple pieces in every bite.
powdered sugar
  • 2 cup powdered sugar Shake and coat evenly right after combining.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Melt and season the coating
  1. Melt the white chocolate chips and unsalted butter together in the microwave or double boiler, stirring until smooth and glossy. Keep the mixture warm enough to stay pourable, about 1–2 minutes in the microwave depending on power, and watch for scorching.
  2. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth and evenly combined. Mix 30–45 seconds so the spices disperse throughout the melted chocolate.
Coat the cereal
  1. Pour the rice cereal squares into a large bowl, then pour the melted coating over top. Fold gently just until coated to avoid crushing the cereal, 1–2 minutes.
  2. Fold in the crushed freeze-dried apple pieces so they’re distributed throughout the cereal. Fold 30–60 seconds until evenly speckled.
Sugar coat and set
  1. Transfer the coated cereal to a large bag with powdered sugar and shake to coat evenly. Shake 45–60 seconds until you see a light dusting all over.
  2. Spread the puppy chow onto a sheet pan to cool and set before serving. Let it sit until the coating firms up, about 10–15 minutes.

Notes

Pro tip: crush the freeze-dried apples coarsely so you get texture in every handful. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days; for best crunch, avoid humid conditions. Freezing isn’t recommended because the cereal can soften after thawing. For a gluten-free version, use a certified gluten-free rice cereal squares.