If you’re looking for a fun, sweet snack that’s perfect for movie nights, parties, or a quick treat, look no further than this Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe. It combines crunchy cereal with rich chocolatey peanut butter and those iconic Reese’s Pieces candies for a snack mix that’s equal parts nostalgic and addictive. I love making this whenever I want something easy but special to munch on, and you’ll notice how the flavors just pop with every bite.

Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe - Recipe Image — Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies, easy Muddy Buddies recipe, peanut butter chocolate snack, Reese’s candy trail mix, quick party snack

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In the Kitchen
Ingredients at a Glance
How to Make Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe
Things to Remember
Ways to Serve It
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Full Printable Recipe

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In the Kitchen

This Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe is a breeze to pull together, but the payoff is huge. The luscious peanut butter and chocolate coat every crunchy piece, and the burst of Reese’s Pieces and mini cups add the best texture and flavor balance. If you’ve never shaken up a sweet snack mix before, this is a fantastic recipe to start with.

Juicy and Tender Every Time: The smooth melted chocolate and peanut butter create the perfect sticky coating that hardens just right without clumping.
Golden, Satisfying Finish: Powdered sugar adds a toasty, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness that balances the candy's saltiness.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using a combination of smooth peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips elevates this snack to next-level deliciousness.
Weeknight to Weekend Ready: You can whip this up in under 20 minutes and have it sitting for an hour while you do other things, making it perfect for every occasion.

Ingredients at a Glance

To get the best flavor and texture in this Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe, it’s worth choosing fresh ingredients and the right mix-ins. Fresh Chex cereal keeps the crunch, and don’t skip the quality peanut butter for that perfect creamy coating.

Chex Cereal: Use original or rice Chex for the best crunch; avoid stale cereal for maximum crispness.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Choose a good brand for smooth melting and a rich chocolate flavor.
Peanut Butter: Creamy, natural peanut butter works best to coat the cereal evenly without separating.
Unsalted Butter: Keeps the flavor balanced and lets you control the saltiness.
Vanilla Extract: A splash adds depth and warm aroma—don’t skip it!
Powdered Sugar: This gives that signature “muddy” look and melts delicately on your tongue.
Mini Reese’s Cups & Reese’s Pieces: These candies add the perfect pop of color and bursts of peanut butter-chocolate goodness.

Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.

How to Make Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe

Step 1 — Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Together

Start by combining your semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, unsalted butter, and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each, until everything is silky smooth. This helps avoid burning the chocolate while ensuring the peanut butter melds beautifully. You’ll notice the glossy texture once it’s perfectly melted—this is the key for an even coat later.

Step 2 — Coat the Chex Cereal

Pour your warm chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly, making sure every piece of cereal is covered with the luscious coating. Be gentle so you don’t crush the cereal but thorough enough so there's no naked cereal visible. You’ll hear the satisfying slight crackle as the coated cereal cools.

Step 3 — Powder Sugar Coating Magic

Divide the powdered sugar evenly between two large gallon-sized resealable bags. Then, add half the coated cereal to each bag, seal, and shake vigorously until the cereal is fully dusted with the fine, sweet powder. This step adds that classic “muddy” look and keeps everything from sticking together. Trust me, shaking vigorously is the secret to the best even coverage.

Step 4 — Let It Rest and Add the Final Candies

Spread the finished mix out on a baking sheet or leave it in the bags to rest for about an hour to set. This waiting time means the coating firms up just right. When you’re ready to serve, fold in the mini Reese’s cups and Reese’s pieces for that final pop of colorful crunch and peanut butter flavor. The combination will have your friends digging in faster than you can say “snack time.”

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Things to Remember

I’ve learned from trial and error that getting the coating just right is key in this Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe. Keep your heat low and stir often while melting, and don’t rush the cooling to maintain the best crumbly-yet-smooth texture.

Doneness Cue: The coating will look glossy while warm but dries to a matte dusty look after an hour.
Temperature Trick: Use slightly warmed peanut butter; cold or oily peanut butter won’t blend well.
Make-Ahead Move: You can prepare this up to two days in advance but add the mini Reese’s cups and pieces just before serving.
Common Pitfall: Avoid overmixing after adding powdered sugar—it can make the mix mushy instead of crunchy.

Ways to Serve It

Finishing Touches

For an extra flair, sprinkle on a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving to highlight the chocolate and peanut butter’s natural sweetness. I sometimes toss in a handful of chopped roasted peanuts for crunch contrast, but the classic Reese’s pieces alone are a party on their own. Lightly drizzled melted white chocolate can also amp up the presentation.

Plays Well With

This peanut-buttery mix pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or an afternoon cup of coffee. I’ve also served it alongside salty snacks like pretzels or even popcorn to balance the sweetness. You’ll find this mix fits right in with charcuterie boards that include nuts and mild cheeses too.

Simple Plating Upgrades

To dress this up for a casual gathering, serve the muddy buddies in cute mini bowls or mason jars labeled with snack tags. Adding colorful paper straws or spoons encourages sharing and makes the snack feel festive and fun. For kid’s parties, scatter extra Reese’s Pieces on top for visual appeal and ease of grabbing.

Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to 3 days with their crisp coating intact. I recommend avoiding the fridge to prevent moisture buildup, which can soften the crunch.

Freezing Tips

This recipe actually freezes quite well. Pop the muddy buddies into a freezer-safe, airtight container, and they’ll keep for up to a month. When thawing, leave them at room temperature for about an hour—avoid microwaving as it risks melting the coating and candies unevenly.

Reheating Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe Without Drying Out

If you want to warm the mix slightly, I recommend a gentle reheat in the microwave for just 10 seconds on low power to avoid drying out. Stir gently afterward to redistribute any softened chocolate. If using an air fryer or oven, keep the temperature low (around 200°F) and limit heating to a few minutes while watching closely. This helps keep that lovely melty-yet-crispy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy in this recipe?

You absolutely can, but creamy peanut butter coats the cereal more evenly, while crunchy peanut butter may cause the mix to stick unevenly and clump. If you prefer crunchy, expect a chunkier texture.

Why do I need to wait an hour before adding the Reese’s candies?

The resting time lets the chocolate coating set firmly so the candies don’t melt or get crushed when mixed in. Adding them later keeps their shape and texture intact.

Is it okay to substitute the mini Reese’s cups and Reese’s Pieces for other candies?

Yes! While the classic Reese’s candies are wonderful, you can swap in M&Ms, peanut butter chips, or other small candy pieces to customize flavors and colors — just keep an eye on melt times.

Can I make smaller batches of this Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe?

Definitely! Just scale down the ingredients proportionally. The shaking and coating process works just as well in smaller bags or bowls for more manageable snack sizes.

Final Thoughts

This Reese’s Pieces Muddy Buddies Recipe is a fantastic way to bring a bit of playful nostalgia and flavor-packed fun to your snack game. It’s quick, adaptable, and always a hit whether you’re sharing with friends or just sneaking a bite when no one’s looking. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again!

Full Printable Recipe