If you’re craving a fun, colorful, and no-bake sweet snack, this Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix checks every box. Inspired by the classic trio of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate, this playful treat combines crunchy Rice Chex cereal with smooth chocolate coatings and a light powdered sugar finish. It’s quick to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for parties, gifting, or anytime your sweet tooth calls.
Why You’ll Love This Neapolitan Puppy Chow
This Neapolitan puppy chow isn’t just adorable—it’s incredibly easy and versatile. You’ll love how the flavors stay distinct while coming together in one irresistible snack mix. There’s no oven required, minimal cleanup, and plenty of room to customize colors or sweetness. It’s a guaranteed hit for birthdays, holidays, snack tables, or even a cheerful afternoon treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples to make this sweet snack mix:
- Rice Chex cereal – light, crispy, and perfect for coating
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – for the classic chocolate layer
- White chocolate chips – smooth and creamy for vanilla flavor
- Butter – helps the chocolate melt silky-smooth
- Vanilla extract – enhances sweetness and aroma
- Powdered sugar – creates the signature puppy chow coating
- Strawberry cake mix – adds fruity flavor and pink color
- Vanilla or white cake mix – balances the trio with mellow sweetness
Tip: For safety, always heat-treat cake mix before using it in no-bake recipes.
How to Make Neapolitan Puppy Chow (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep the Cereal
Measure the Rice Chex cereal and divide it evenly into three heat-safe bowls. This makes it easy to flavor each portion separately.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Coating
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with half of the butter in short intervals, stirring until smooth. Add a small splash of vanilla extract. Pour over one bowl of cereal and gently toss to coat.
Step 3: Create the Vanilla Coating
Melt the white chocolate chips with the remaining butter until creamy. Pour over the second bowl of cereal and stir gently until evenly coated.
Step 4: Flavor with Strawberry & Vanilla
Add strawberry cake mix and a portion of powdered sugar to the vanilla-coated cereal. For the third bowl, coat cereal lightly with melted white chocolate, then toss with vanilla cake mix and powdered sugar.
Step 5: Shake & Combine
Place each flavored cereal into separate zip-top bags and shake gently to coat evenly. Once coated, spread on parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Gently combine all three flavors into one bowl for that classic Neapolitan look.
Tips & Variations
- Extra sweetness: Swap semi-sweet chocolate for milk chocolate
- Color boost: Add pastel sprinkles for parties or holidays
- Crunch factor: Mix in mini pretzels or vanilla cereal squares
- Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and butter alternatives
- Make it festive: Use themed sprinkles for birthdays or celebrations
Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 6 cups (6 servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix is a fun, no-bake treat bursting with strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavor. Crunchy Rice Chex gets coated in creamy chocolate, then dusted with powdered sugar plus strawberry and vanilla cake mix for a colorful snack that’s perfect for parties, gifting, and sweet cravings.
Ingredients
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
3 tbsp butter (divided)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (divided)
1 cup strawberry cake mix (heat-treated)
1/3 cup vanilla or white cake mix (heat-treated)
Instructions
1. Prep: Measure the cereal and divide it into 3 bowls (1 cup each). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 1/2 tbsp butter in 20–30 second bursts, stirring until smooth. Stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
3. Coat chocolate batch: Pour melted semi-sweet chocolate over 1 bowl of cereal. Gently toss until coated.
4. Melt white chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp butter the same way. Stir in remaining 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
5. Coat vanilla base: Pour the melted white chocolate over the 2nd bowl of cereal and toss to coat.
6. Make strawberry batch: In a zip-top bag, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1 cup strawberry cake mix. Add HALF of the white-chocolate-coated cereal and shake gently until coated.
7. Make vanilla batch: In a second zip-top bag, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1/3 cup vanilla/white cake mix. Add the remaining HALF of the white-chocolate-coated cereal and shake until coated.
8. Finish chocolate batch: In a third zip-top bag, add the semi-sweet chocolate-coated cereal plus the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Shake until coated.
9. Set + combine: Spread all batches on the parchment-lined sheet to set for 10–15 minutes, then gently mix together for a Neapolitan look.
10. Serve or store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Heat-treat cake mix: Spread cake mix on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes, then cool completely before using.
Gentle tossing is key: Chex can break if stirred too hard—use a folding motion.
Make it extra festive: Add pastel sprinkles after coating for parties.
Storage: Keep airtight at room temp up to 5 days (or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm).
Allergy note: Contains dairy; choose dairy-free chips/butter alternatives if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this Neapolitan puppy chow in colorful bowls for parties, scoop it into treat bags for gifts, or add it to a dessert board with cookies and fruit. It also makes a fun grab-and-go snack.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen runs warm, keep it in the fridge to maintain the coating.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~230 |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbs | 34g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 180mg |
Values are estimates and may vary.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly joyful. With bold colors, nostalgic flavors, and an easy no-bake method, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again—especially when you need a fast, crowd-pleasing treat.