I still remember mixing a big bowl of festive green puppy chow on a rainy March afternoon—the house smelled sweet, the kiddos hovered, and within minutes the snack bowl was empty. Saint Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a no-bake, crowd-pleasing treat: crunchy Rice Chex coated in glossy green icing, dusted with powdered sugar and sugar-cookie mix, and finished with gold sprinkles for a lucky shimmer. It’s faster than baking a batch of cookies and perfect for classroom parties, potlucks, or movie-night snacking.
“Easy, bright, and fun—this puppy chow turned our St. Patrick’s Day snack table into the hit of the party.”
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe is a brilliant shortcut to holiday cheer. It’s:
- Fast: ready in about 20–30 minutes including drying time.
- Kid-approved: little hands love shaking the bag and decorating with sprinkles.
- No-bake: no oven required, so it’s low-effort and safe for kids to help.
- Festive and adaptable: swap colors or mix-ins to match any theme.
Make it for school parties, last-minute guests, or as treat-bag favors at a St. Patrick’s Day gathering.
The cooking process explained
Before you dig in, here’s the quick idea: you’ll melt the green Wiltons icing, gently coat Rice Chex, toss sections in a powdered sugar + sugar-cookie mix inside a gallon bag, then let everything dry so the coating sets. The main actions are melting, folding, bag-shaking, and drying — each done in short bursts so the cereal stays crunchy and the coating is even.
What you’ll need
- 6 cups Rice Chex
- 16 ounces Wiltons Green Icing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup Sugar Cookie Mix
- 1 package Gold Sprinkles (or any color)
- 2 gallon baggies
Notes and substitutions:
- If you can’t find Wiltons green icing, use white candy melts or white chocolate chips plus a few drops of oil-based green food coloring (use chocolate-safe color).
- For gluten-free, choose a certified gluten-free rice cereal and a GF sugar cookie mix.
- Swap gold sprinkles for rainbow or shamrock sprinkles for a different look.
Step-by-step instructions
- Pour 6 cups of Rice Chex into a very large mixing bowl and leave it at the ready.
- In one of the gallon baggies combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 cup sugar cookie mix; seal the bag and set it aside for dusting later.
- Spoon 16 ounces of Wiltons green icing into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power in 20‑second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the icing becomes fluid but never allowed to boil or scorch.
- Pour the warm green icing over the cereal right away. Use a large spatula to fold gently, turning and scraping until each piece is mostly coated; work quickly but carefully so the cereal doesn’t become soggy.
- Sprinkle in the gold sprinkles to taste and fold once more so they stick to the wet icing.
- Transfer coated cereal in manageable batches into the prepared powdered sugar + cookie mix bag. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until every piece is well dusted and looks evenly coated.
- Empty the coated cereal onto a baking pan lined with parchment in a single layer. Let it sit to dry for 15–20 minutes so the icing firms up.
- While still slightly tacky, scatter a few extra sprinkles over the top for extra shine and visual appeal.
- After the mix is fully dry, break apart any clumps and portion into bowls or treat bags for serving.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve puppy chow in mini paper cones, mason jars, or clear treat bags tied with green ribbon for a festive presentation. It’s perfect alongside coffee or hot chocolate, and small cups of this crunch are great next to Irish-themed desserts like Bailey’s brownies. For parties, set out small scoopers and bowls so guests can fill their own snack bags.
Keeping leftovers fresh
Store cooled, dry puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5–7 days. Avoid humid storage spots—moisture softens the powdered coating and makes the cereal lose its crunch. To keep longer, freeze in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. No reheating is needed.
Pro chef tips
- Don’t overheat the icing: heat in short intervals and stir. Overheated icing gets grainy or burns.
- Work in batches when coating and bagging; trying to do everything at once leads to uneven coverage.
- Use parchment or a silicone mat for the drying tray to make cleanup easier.
- If the bagging process leaves large clumps, break them apart gently with your fingers or a spatula before drying.
- For a smoother coating, warm the cereal bowl briefly (cold cereal can cause the icing to stiffen too quickly).
Creative twists
- Swap Wiltons icing for melted white chocolate dyed green for a richer, smoother flavor.
- Add mix-ins: mini pretzels, chopped nuts, or green M&Ms for texture and salt-sweet contrast.
- Make a rainbow version by dividing the cereal and using different icing colors.
- For a vegan version, use dairy-free candy melts and verify that the sugar cookie mix is vegan-friendly.
- Turn it into a breakfast-ish snack by mixing in dried fruit and toasted coconut (keep sprinkles optional).
Your questions answered
Q: How long does it take to make?
A: Active time is about 10–15 minutes; allow 15–20 minutes of drying. Expect roughly 30–40 minutes total from start to finish.
Q: Can I use another cereal instead of Rice Chex?
A: Yes. Corn Chex, wheat Chex, or puffed rice work, though lighter cereals may break more easily. Choose sturdier pieces if you plan to add salty mix-ins.
Q: Is this safe for dogs?
A: No. Despite the name “puppy chow,” this is a human treat and often contains chocolate or high sugar. Keep it away from pets.
Q: My coating got sticky—what happened?
A: Humidity or excess residual moisture in the icing can make the mix tacky. Let it dry longer on a baking sheet and store in a low-humidity spot. If needed, lightly re-dust with powdered sugar mixture.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Yes—make it the day before and store in an airtight container. If you need a longer lead time, freeze portions and thaw before serving.
Conclusion
If you want a quick, festive snack that’s easy to scale for a crowd, this Saint Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow is a perfect pick—bright, crunchy, and very shareable. For another take on this holiday treat and more serving ideas, check out the original St. Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow recipe on Gal on a Mission.
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Saint Patrick’s Day Puppy Chow
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and festive no-bake treat made with crunchy Rice Chex coated in green icing, powdered sugar, and sprinkles, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex
- 16 ounces Wiltons Green Icing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup Sugar Cookie Mix
- 1 package Gold Sprinkles
- 2 gallon baggies
Instructions
- Pour 6 cups of Rice Chex into a very large mixing bowl and leave it at the ready.
- In one of the gallon baggies combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 cup sugar cookie mix; seal the bag and set it aside for dusting later.
- Spoon 16 ounces of Wiltons green icing into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the icing becomes fluid but never allowed to boil or scorch.
- Pour the warm green icing over the cereal right away. Use a large spatula to fold gently, turning and scraping until each piece is mostly coated.
- Sprinkle in the gold sprinkles to taste and fold once more so they stick to the wet icing.
- Transfer coated cereal in manageable batches into the prepared powdered sugar + cookie mix bag. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until every piece is well dusted.
- Empty the coated cereal onto a baking pan lined with parchment in a single layer. Let it sit to dry for 15–20 minutes.
- While still slightly tacky, scatter a few extra sprinkles over the top for extra shine and visual appeal.
- After the mix is fully dry, break apart any clumps and portion into bowls or treat bags for serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American