• Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Recipes
    • vegan
    • gluten-free
    • paleo
    • fruit-sweetened
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Video Production

Feasting on Fruit

  • Recipes
    • vegan
    • gluten-free
    • paleo
    • fruit-sweetened
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Video Production

vegan, chocolate, gluten-free, easy, paleo, oil-free, sweet · August 21, 2018

SunButter Muddy Buddies

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

SunButter Muddy Buddies! A healthier take on this favorite cereal snack with sunflower seed butter, plus options for my vegan, gluten-free, and paleo friends!

SunButter Muddy Buddies

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SUNBUTTER.

On the list of Most Difficult To Stop Eating Snacks, this stuff is at the tippity top. It also ranks quite high on Most Likely To Hide From Housemates and the How Is This So Good? snack lists. So this is a recipe with a reputation.

If you’ve never tried muddy buddies (or puppy chow as some call it), oh friend are you in for a treat life changing experience. And if you’ve never tried making muddy buddies with SunButter, get ready for your muddy buddy love to go next level.

Because you know how peanut butter can sometimes be too PEANUT BUTTER-y, overpowering all the other flavors involved? But almond butter can be too NOT peanut butter-y at all? Well the flavor of sunflower seed butter is that perfect happy medium – nutty (even though it’s nut-free!) but not in your face. You know it’s in there, you know you like it, but it doesn’t have to shout at you.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

And that is why SunButter is our BBFF (best buttery friend forever).

Like I’m pretty sure this soft serve is at least 97% to blame, but my love for SunButter has been aggressive lately. The almond butter has been pushed to the back of my nut/seed butter shelf, while SunButter keeps finding it’s way to the very front for blending and topping and all spoon-in-jar-eating purposes.

So I’m pretty jazzed to be teaming up with them again to bring you another recipe featuring this scrumptious seed butter stuff!

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

To healthy up this back-of-the-cereal-box classic just a little and give you lots of vegan/gluten-free/paleo options, you’ve got some choices to make…

The cereal. Traditionally muddy buddies are made with Rice Chex cereal, which is gluten-free and debatably vegan. But I get it, not ideal on ingredients. So instead try:

  • Barbara’s Bakery Oat Crunch. Right shape. Better ingredients. But not gluten-free.
  • Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Cereal. Right shape. Vegan. Gluten-free. A little more fragile, so you may end up with more muddy half buddies.
  • One Degree Organics Oat Os. Vegan. Gluten-free. Great ingredients. Wrong shape, but who cares.
  • Coconut Flakes Cereal. Vegan. Gluten-free. Paleo. Great organic ingredients (coconut meat, coconut water, palm starch). Wrong shape, but again not important.
  • Nuts/seeds/coconut flakes. Vegan. Gluten-free. Paleo. Obviously the texture will be quite different than most muddy buddies, but it works for a whole/real foods option.

Really any kind of unflavored cereal will work, those are just my top suggestions.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

The chocolate. I used my favorite Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips, which are vegan and paleo. But any brand and percentage of chocolate chips you like is fine.

SunButter! You haven’t muddy buddy-ed until you’ve muddy buddy-ed with SunButter. I used their organic variety here, which is unsweetened.

The powder coating. Okay this is where things get a smidge tricky, but I’ve gotcha covered:

  • Powdered sugar. I know I know, not a “health” food. But sometimes it’s worth it.
  • Arrowroot starch. It won’t add the same sweet flavor as powdered sugar, but since the chocolate is already sweet it give them that powder-coated appearance and won’t taste bad. It does dissolve faster than powdered sugar, so apply just before serving.
  • Coconut flour. Sounds strange, but I’ve used this for a dusted on mock powdered sugar before and it works here too. Again not sweet, but you hardly taste it and it doesn’t dissolve like the arrowroot.
  • Protein powder. Not my personal favorite because I think most of them taste well…awful, but vanilla protein powder would work.
  • Powdered erythritol. If you want a sugar-free option.

Sorry to go all link crazy on you there, but you needed to know all the options. So now nothing stands between you and actualizing your SunButter Muddy Buddy dreams.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

This recipe is super simple – 5 ingredients, 10 minutes, no baking, DONE.

To start, melt the SunButter with the chocolate chips. Stir in vanilla extract. And dump on top of a BIG bowl of cereal.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

Mix that all up. And probably make a mess doing it.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

Toss with the powdered coating or your choosing.

It’s easiest to do in a plastic bag, extra air NOT removed.

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

And then get snackin!

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

SunButter Muddy Buddies

  • Author: Natalie
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: snacks
  • Method: no bake
  • Cuisine: american
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

SunButter Muddy Buddies! A healthier take on this favorite cereal snack with sunflower seed butter, plus options for my vegan, gluten-free, and paleo friends!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups cereal (see post above for recommendations)*
  • 1 cup Organic SunButter
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (see post above for alternate options)**

Instructions

  1. Melt the chocolate chips with the SunButter.
  2. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, gently stir the cereal with the melted chocolate mixture until evenly coated.
  4. Transfer to a plastic bag and add the powdered sugar. Shake to coat.
  5. Chill 2-3 hours, then enjoy!
  6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

*Use a mixture of nuts, seeds, and coconut for paleo

**Use powdered coconut milk or arrowroot for paleo


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 312
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 6g

Keywords: snack, vegan, gluten-free, no bake, easy, paleo, chocolate, kid friendly

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @feastingonfruit on Instagram

CLICK BELOW TO PIN

Sunbutter Muddy Buddies (vegan, gluten-free, paleo option!)

Thank you SunButter for sponsoring this post!

Pin
Share
Tweet
Email

In: vegan, chocolate, gluten-free, easy, paleo, oil-free, sweet · Tagged: cereal, puppy chow, video, healthy, dairy-free, paleo, without powdered sugar, sunflower seed

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

recipes to your inbox

enter your email to get on the list!

You’ll Also Love

Dairy Free Ninja Creami Pumpkin Ice Cream
Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe
Monster Cookie Granola Bars

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    August 21, 2018 at 8:37 am

    This stuff is so nostalgic!!! I love all the customizable options. May have to try them all for research purposes 😉 We have a local company in Chicago that makes gourmet puppy chow called “WOW CHOW” and I’m giving away a few bags in my IG giveaway over the weekend!

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 21, 2018 at 1:12 pm

      GOURMET PUPPY CHOW!?!? Omg that sounds amazing, I’ve gotta check that out. Can you imagine an entire store dedicated to nothing but puppy chow of every imaginable flavor…the dream😮 I know I haven’t made it in forever either, but so many childhood memories with this yummy stuff🤗

      Reply
  2. Lucecita says

    August 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    Not for Me!…I like it better when fruit is the main substitute ingredient on your recipes….thx. for sharing. ❤️❤️ Your chocolate muffins recipe amon many others! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 21, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      I respect that, and there are plenty of other fruity ones to choose from! Not every recipe will be for everybody😊

      Reply
      • Lucecita says

        August 21, 2018 at 1:23 pm

        Thx. Natalie 🤗🤗🤗🤗 You and your recipes r awesome!👍👍👍👍👍

        Reply
  3. Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says

    August 21, 2018 at 5:32 pm

    I was literally just thinking last night how I’ve actually been going through more sunbutter lately than peanut butter, which isn’t typical of me! Love this recipe idea!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 21, 2018 at 6:33 pm

      Hahaha!! Me too recently, the PB and AB in my pantry is starting to get jealous😂 You should definitely try it in muddy buddy form…ridiculously good😋

      Reply
  4. Candace Ho says

    August 22, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Would this recipe work with other nut butters?

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 22, 2018 at 10:01 am

      Yep, absolutely!

      Reply
  5. The Vegan 8 says

    August 22, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    Omg, these look straight up dangerous! Like, I’m-gonna-eat-the-whole-bag dangerous, lol! I’ve actually never had muddy buddies, or puppy chow. I much prefer the title muddy buddies because everytime I hear the word puppy chow or see a blogger say it, I think dog food, so that never appeals to me, LOL! But, THIS, this appeals to me. I mean…crunchy cereal, nut butter, dark chocolate and powdered sugar, how the heck can it NOT be appealing! I know people tend to freak out when I use powdered sugar sometimes, but dang, it’s GOOD stuff and sometimes is the needed ingredient. I would definitely much prefer sugar to starch or coconut flour but I’m so impressed with all of the options you gave, that way nobody can complain or ask the always “what can I sub with….?” question, haha. I’m now craving these after visualizing the yummy crunchy dark chocolate thing going on, but my head is pounding from eating a gingerbread latte, cake and brownie bites already today, oops! Maybe these could be my dinner, bahaha!

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 23, 2018 at 9:31 am

      Um gingerbread latte?? I love you for drinking gingerbread things in august but I hate you for NOT MAKING ME ONE TOO🙄 I kid, but seriously that sounds like a deliciously sweets overload day🤗 Yeah maybe you don’t need powdered sugar to top it all off😂 But oh man you nailed it, this stuff is seriously addictive. And idk where the “puppy chow” name came from but um no. Like I love dogs, but the kibble association is too strong in my mind too. No sub questions on this one…yet. But I know you know the challenge of trying to guess every possible question and answer it ahead of time😆

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    August 26, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    This is exactly what I needed in my life! I can’t wait to try 🙂

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      August 26, 2018 at 7:25 pm

      Oh yes, your life has definitely been missing these🤗🤗 Enjoy Elizabeth!

      Reply
  7. Sherri says

    November 30, 2018 at 1:42 am

    What a great holiday gift suggestion! Thanks for another great recipe, Natalie. 😘

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      November 30, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      I hope you give it a try, although I’m warning you it’s kinda hard to give any away🙈

      Reply
  8. Selina Posthumus says

    May 1, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    Love this recipe!!! Gonna have to make it, looks yummy!! Also in the directions for this recipe, at # 4, you say “Transfer to a plastic baD instead of baG, just thought I’d tell you that.

    Reply
    • Natalie says

      May 1, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      Ah thanks for catching that, I will fix it right now! Hope you try and love them 🙂

      Reply
      • Selina Posthumus says

        May 1, 2019 at 3:45 pm

        Your Welcome.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Next Post >

Coconut Flour Waffles

oh, hi there

I’m Natalie, the recipe creator around here sharing simple snacks and treats that are secretly healthy under their sweet dessert disguises!

join the list

Categories

  • breakfast
  • brownies & bars
  • cakes & breads
  • candy
  • cookies
  • cupcakes & muffins
  • pies & crumbles
  • creamy

Search

trending now

Chocolate Avocado Pudding Truffles

Chocolate Avocado Pudding Truffles

SunButter Granola

SunButter Granola

Tahini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Tahini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Chai Cupcakes

Chocolate Chai Cupcakes

instagram

Follow @feastingonfruit

CINNAMON APPLE MINI CHEESECAKES🍏 Another treat CINNAMON APPLE MINI CHEESECAKES🍏 Another treat that perfectly toes that early fall line of cozy flavors but easy no-bake prep!

CRUST
6-8 pitted medjool dates
1 cup oats or nuts
Pinch of salt

CHEESECAKE
-1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked and drained
-1/4 cup maple syrup or agave
-3 tbsp coconut oil
-1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
-2 tbsp lemon juice
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-Pinch of salt

CINNAMON APPLES
-1 granny smith apple, finely diced
-2 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar
-1 tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS
Blend the crust ingredients in a food processor until sticky and cohesive. Press a little disc into the bottom of a mini muffin pan (place a strip of parchment paper in each up for easier removal).

Blend filling ingredients until very smooth. Toss diced apples with the maple syrup and cinnamon until evenly coated and juicy. Fold/swirl into the cheesecake base. Spoon on top of the crusts, filling each to the top (makes 12-18 minis)

Freeze overnight. Defrost about 5 minutes, then gently remove from the pan using the parchment strips or a dull knife to pop them out. Enjoy!

#applecinnamon #nobakecheesecake #healthydessertrecipes
DAIRY-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMI🧡 The fall-flavo DAIRY-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMI🧡 The fall-flavor-in-summer-form treat you need until the temps really cool off (and probably well after that if you’re anything like me #icecreamyearround)

High-protein, dairy-free, fruit-sweetened, and full of warm cozy pumpkin spice! It legit tastes JUST like the middle of a pumpkin pie, especially if you mix-in some granola or cookie crumbles for that crunchy crust element😋👌

INGREDIENTS
-1 cup light coconut milk (or cashew milk)
-1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt
-1/4 cup pumpkin puree
-2 pitted medjool dates OR 1 tbsp maple syrup
-1 scoop/serving protein powder
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
-1/8 tsp salt

Full details on my website → @feastingonfruit link in bio✨

#ninjacreami #dairyfreeicecream #pumpkinicecream
Annnnnnd it’s september! Obviously I had to shar Annnnnnd it’s september! Obviously I had to share something pumpkin spiced to start off the month🎃 Think three musketeers texture but healthier, pumpkin spice inside, and dark chocolate to coat🍫🧡

INGREDIENTS
-1 cup (250g) pumpkin puree
-1/2–2/3 cup water
-8–10 pitted (160g) medjool dates
-1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
-pinch of salt
-3/4 cup (85g) coconut flour
-1 cup (170g) dark chocolate chips

Blend pumpkin, dates, 1/2 cup water, spice, and salt. Add more water slowly as necessary until you have a thick paste. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in coconut flour until you have a ball of dough. Shape into a rectangle approximately 3/4 inch thick. Freeze for at least 2 hours until firm.

Melt the chocolate chips (optionally add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil for a thinner/smoother coating). Remove the dough from the freezer and slice into 12 rectangles. Dip each into the melted chocolate coating on all sides. Transfer to a pan or plate lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set. Store in the fridge.

#pumpkinspiceeverything #veganchocolate #healthydesserts
HOMEMADE FIG BARS💜 Taking the fig newton cookie HOMEMADE FIG BARS💜 Taking the fig newton cookie—a humble classic and favorite—and giving it a homemade healthier vegan cookie bar spin. With a fruit-sweetened filling and buttery gluten-free @sunbutter [a d] crust!

New recipe on my site → @feastingonfruit link in bio✨
NO-CHURN CHOCOLATE SOFT SERVE🤎 Spooning down da NO-CHURN CHOCOLATE SOFT SERVE🤎 Spooning down dairy-free soft serve daily until the weather forces me to switch to stop🍦 If you don’t own a creami, THIS is the ultimate easy blender method!

INGREDIENTS
-15oz can coconut milk
-1 cup nut/seed butter of choice (I used sunbutter)
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-1/2 cup cocoa powder
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp salt
-Toppings of choice

Pour coconut milk (shake before opening) into an ice cream tray and freeze overnight . Blend the cubes + remaining ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth. You will need to use the tamper and stop to scrape down the sides frequently, try to avoid adding extra liquid. Spoon into bowls as is. Or transfer to a piping bag, freeze for 30 mins or so, then swirl into bowls or cones for the “froyo” look. Top and enjoy!

#softserveicecream #dairyfreerecipes #veganicecream
MONSTER COOKIE GRANOLA BARS! A wholesome happy any MONSTER COOKIE GRANOLA BARS! A wholesome happy anytime snack, but especially back-to-school perfect. You could even double the batch depending on how fast your house will devour them😜 

With chewy oatmeal cookie vibes, mini morsels of chocolate, one bowl prep, and an easy ingredient list🍪🤎🌈 Made with @edwardandsons Let’s Do Organic Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk as the sweetener, the sticky binder, and the best caramel-y flavor. Plus an optional protein boost (and a nut-free option!) 

INGREDIENTS
-3 cups (240g) rolled oats
-1/3 cup (45g) vanilla protein powder 
-2 tbsp (20g) chia seeds
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 14oz can @edwardandsons Let’s Do Organic Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
-1/2 cup (125g) peanut butter (or SunButter for nut-free)
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 cup (80g) mini chocolate chips
-1/2 cup candy coated chocolate candies (vegan brand I used linked in my stories)

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8” pan with parchment paper or grease. In a large bowl, stir together oats, protein powder, chia seeds, and salt. Add in peanut butter, sweetened condensed coconut milk, and vanilla. Mix until evenly combined and sticky. Fold in chocolate chips and candies. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes. Cool completely before slicing (or even chill first to minimize crumbles)

#monstercookies #veganglutenfreerecipes #healthysnacks
COOKIES & CREAM PIE (made without any oreos🤫) B COOKIES & CREAM PIE (made without any oreos🤫) But I pinky promise you won’t miss ‘em after one forkful of this glorious no-bake cream pie!

CRUST
-4 cups (140g) crispy rice cereal
-1/4 cup (25g) dark cocoa powder
-1/2 cup (125g) nut/seed butter
-1/3 cup (105g) maple syrup
-1/4 tsp salt

FILLING
-16oz dairy-free cream cheese
-1 cup (240g) coconut cream
1/2 cup (125g) chocolate nut/seed butter
-3/4 cup powdered sugar
-1 tsp vanilla extract 

Process the cereal to very fine crumbs. Add the rest of the crust ingredients and process to a wet sand consistency. Remove 1 cup and set aside. Transfer the remaining crumbs to a 9″ pie dish, pressing in very firmly to cover the bottom and sides. Bake 15 minutes at 375°F. Refrigerate.

Combine cream cheese, coconut cream, chocolate nut/seed butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Whip with a hand mixer until combined and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until combined. Fold in the reserved crumbs. Spread into the chilled crust, and refrigerate overnight. Top with coconut whipped cream, chocolate chips, chocolate drizzle, etc before slicing and serving.

#cookiesandcream #nobakedessert #veganchocolate
VEGAN GF ZUCCHINI BREAD💚 A soft zucchini loaf w VEGAN GF ZUCCHINI BREAD💚 A soft zucchini loaf with the perfect fluffy crumb and a delicious sweet topping. It’s the perfect august bake – summer produce meets fall-is-coming spice!

New recipe on my site → @feastingonfruit link in bio✨
BLUEBERRY PROTEIN ICE CREAM🫐 another dairy-free BLUEBERRY PROTEIN ICE CREAM🫐 another dairy-free ninja creami recipe coming’ atcha with my fave sweet summer berry and an extra silky texture thanks to @sunbutter [a d] in the mix!

Recipe on my website → @feastingonfruit link in bio💜
It’s ice-cream-is-the-only-dessert-I-crave time It’s ice-cream-is-the-only-dessert-I-crave time of year, and this DAIRY-FREE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM always hits the spot🤎 My favorite mix-ins, creamy creamy no-churn choc base, and choose-your-own softserve or scoopable texture adventure🍦🍨 

INGREDIENTS
2 13.5oz cans coconut cream
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped (or pecans/almonds)
1 cup vegan mini marshmallows
Optional: brownie chunks (recipe link in my stories)

Freeze the coconut cream in ice cube trays overnight. Blend the coconut cream cubes with cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a high speed blender until smooth. Add a little nondairy milk if needed to blend. In a pan or dish, layer ice cream > marshmallows, walnuts, chocolate chips, brownie chunks > repeat. Freeze for 30-60 minutes until scoop-able. It will be creamiest the day you make it, but will keep a few days in the freezer (remove 5-10 minutes to soften before eating)

#rockyroadicecream #dairyfreerecipes #nochurnicecream #veganicecream

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Shop My Favorites
  • Blog

get new recipes

Info

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy
  • Privacy
  • Press

Copyright © 2023 Feasting on Fruit · Theme by 17th Avenue