Patriotic Muddy Buddies

Introduction

Nothing says party quite like a tray of vibrant Patriotic Muddy Buddies. This sweet, crunchy snack is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day picnics, or any occasion that calls for a festive red, white, and blue treat. Dressed in colored candy melts and tossed in powdered sugar, this classic snack mix is deliciously addictive and easier to make than you’d think.

Why This Patriotic Muddy Buddies Recipe Stands Out

There’s a reason this recipe is a star at summer gatherings: every bite delivers the nostalgic flavors of a childhood favorite, with a fun, colorful twist. The mix of melted chocolate and peanut butter coats cereal pieces before being tossed in a shower of powdered sugar for that iconic, sweet finish. Edible red, white, and blue candy and sprinkles add a festive touch and a satisfying crunch, making this treat irresistible for kids and adults alike.

Essential Tools for Effortless Muddy Buddies

To achieve the ideal even coating on your cereal without a mess, use a large mixing bowl, and line your work surface with a dependable sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. This helps prevent sticking and simplifies cleanup.

For quickly and uniformly melting chocolate and peanut butter mixtures, the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender can finely crush decorations like festive candies or even powdered sugar for ultra-smooth coverage. And for storing or transporting your Muddy Buddies, airtight food containers like Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers keep your snack crispy and fresh.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Patriotic Muddy Buddies

1. **Prep Your Ingredients:** Place your cereal in a large bowl, and set out your red and blue candy melts, white chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Prepare your sheet pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for a hassle-free cooling surface.
2. **Melt and Mix:** In a microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat in intervals, stirring until smooth. Divide the mixture and dye portions red and blue with gel food coloring, leaving one portion plain.
3. **Coat the Cereal:** Pour the colored and white chocolate mixtures over separate portions of cereal, stirring gently to coat all pieces evenly. An extra-large kitchen spoon or spatula ensures every bit is covered without crushing the cereal.
4. **Add Sweetness:** Sprinkle powdered sugar into large zip-close bags, add each batch of coated cereal, and shake vigorously until all pieces are dusted with sugar.
5. **Decorate and Serve:** Spread the Muddy Buddies onto your parchment-lined tray, and immediately sprinkle with patriotic candies and red, white, and blue sprinkles. Allow to cool and set, then store in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers if making ahead.

Serving and Storage Tips for Patriotic Muddy Buddies

Patriotic Muddy Buddies are a hit whether served in individual snack bags or heaped in a big bowl as the centerpiece of your holiday table. For easy cleanup after a party, lay down a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable—your red, white, and blue confetti stays festive, and your surfaces stay spotless.

Keep leftovers fresh and crispy by storing them in airtight containers. If preparing in advance, lay a piece of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll between layers to keep your mix from sticking together.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 12 servings, with each handful coming in around 200 calories (final counts depend on the exact mix-ins used). While it’s meant as a sweet treat, its eye-catching colors and bold flavors mean a little goes a long way to satisfy party cravings!

Patriotic Muddy Buddies Recap

Patriotic Muddy Buddies deliver instant applause at any celebration—quick to prepare, impossible to resist, and bursting with festive color and crunch. With easy cleanup thanks to Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll and long-lasting freshness courtesy of Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, this is one snack mix you’ll make again and again.

Instructions

1. Line a large baking sheet with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll.
2. Divide the Rice Chex cereal evenly among three large bowls (about 3 cups per bowl).
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips and peanut butter together in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until smooth and fully combined.
4. Separate the melted mixture into three bowls. Tint one bowl with red candy melts or a few drops of red gel coloring, and another with blue. Leave the third plain (white).
5. Pour each color of melted mixture over a bowl of cereal, gently folding to coat all the pieces. Work quickly to prevent clumping.
6. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar to a large zipclose bag, fill with one color of coated cereal, seal, and shake vigorously until well coated. Repeat for the other colors, using fresh powdered sugar for each batch.
7. Spread the finished Muddy Buddies onto your prepared parchment sheet and immediately sprinkle with M&Ms and patriotic sprinkles while still slightly sticky.
8. Let cool, then store in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers until party time.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes (microwave)

Total Time: 25 minutes