4th Quarter Crunch
4th Quarter Crunch is a football-themed twist on classic puppy chow (also called Muddy Buddies) that’s perfect for game day snacking. It combines crunchy Chex cereal coated in chocolate-peanut butter or green candy melts, dusted with powdered sugar, and topped with adorable chocolate-covered almond “footballs.” The mix looks like a football field, tastes like a sweet-and-salty touchdown, and is easy enough for kids to help make — making it a true game day MVP.
Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal total 4 cups for brown puppy chow, 4 cups for green puppy chow
- 1 10 oz bag Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Creamy Peanut Butter
- 12 oz green candy melts
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter 1 cup for each batch
- Powdered sugar enough to coat each batch — about 1–2 cups per batch
- Chocolate-covered almonds about 20–25
- White icing tube or piping bag for football laces
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown Puppy Chow (“Dirt”) 1. Place 4 cups Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 10 oz Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Creamy Peanut Butter with 1 cup peanut butter (heat in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth). 3. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex and stir until fully coated. 4. Transfer to a large zip-top bag, add 1–2 cups powdered sugar, seal, and shake until well coated. 5. Spread on parchment paper to cool completely.
Video
Notes
💡 CBM Tip
When you’re making puppy chow, don’t be afraid to double the batch — especially if you have teenagers, a big family, or you’re hosting a larger game day crowd. This recipe disappears fast, and nothing is worse than getting to halftime and realizing the snack table is empty. Another CBM hack? Use two big mixing bowls at once so you can prep the brown and green batches side-by-side. This saves time and keeps the cleanup quick, which is a win for any crazy busy mama trying to juggle snacks, guests, and game day chaos. Do You Love this Recipe?Leave Us a Comment Below to Rate The Recipe!