Butterscotch Muddy Buddies (Easy No-Bake Snack Mix)

So you’re craving something sweet, crunchy, and wildly irresistible — but you also don’t feel like preheating an oven, opening a cookbook, or pretending you’re on Food Network today? SAME.

Enter Butterscotch Muddy Buddies — also known as the snack mix that will destroy every shred of portion control you thought you had. One bite? Cute. Try one bag. This stuff is dangerously snack-able, melt-in-your-mouth sweet, perfectly crunchy, and honestly? The fastest way to become everyone’s favorite person at a party (or in your own kitchen at 11PM wearing pajama pants and no shame).

Let’s be real: some recipes require skill, patience, and an emotional support spatula. This one only requires you, a microwave, and zero self-control.

Why These Butterscotch Muddy Buddies Work So Well

• No baking. We let the microwave do the heavy lifting because we are modern geniuses.
• Butterscotch + peanut butter = elite flavor combo. Sweet, caramel-y, nutty magic.
• Foolproof. Even if you measure with your heart, this turns out good. (Ask me how I know.)
• Fast AF. 10 minutes from “I deserve a treat” to “Wow I ate half the bowl.”
• Perfect for sharing. Except you won’t. Don’t lie.
• Cheap ingredients. No fancy imported truffle-infused chocolate nonsense — just cereal and sugar living their best life.

Ingredient Notes

Simple, powerful, iconic — like Beyoncé but in snack form.

• Rice Chex Cereal (9 cups)
  Light and crisp, the perfect vehicle for sugary goodness. Corn Chex works too. Cheerios? Ehh… only if you like disappointment.
• Butterscotch Chips (1 cup)
  The star. The diva. The reason we’re all here.
• Peanut Butter (½ cup)
  Smooth only. Chunky in this recipe = crunchy chaos.
• Unsalted Butter (¼ cup)
  Because dairy makes life better.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
  For that warm bakery smell that tricks everyone into thinking you’re fancy.
• Powdered Sugar (1½ cups)
  Aka edible snow. Aka happiness dust.
• Optional add-ins
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Pretzel bits
  • Crushed peanuts
  • Sea salt sprinkle (game changer)

No weird ingredients. No soul-crushing grocery run. Just pantry heroes.

Love no-bake recipes? You’ll also enjoy my Sweet Potato Cheesecake Cups — super creamy and done in minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get ready: you’re about to be that person who “just whipped up a snack.”

1. Prep Your Cereal

Measure the Chex

Dump the 9 cups of Rice Chex into the biggest bowl you own. If the bowl looks comically oversized — perfect. You want room to mix without cereal flying like confetti.

2. Melt the Butterscotch Mixture

Heat + Stir

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine:

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup butter

Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until smooth. Don’t microwave straight for 2 minutes unless you want a sad caramel brick.

Add 1 tsp vanilla and stir it in like you’re adding dramatic flair.

3. Coat the Cereal

Pour + Toss

Pour that velvety butterscotch-peanut butter heaven over the cereal.

Stir gently with a spatula until coated. Careful — you want pieces coated, not crushed into dust. (Unless you’re stress-snacking. Then smash away, king/queen.)

4. Powder Sugar Time

Shake Like You Mean It

Place powdered sugar in a big zip-top bag or clean paper bag. Add cereal. Shake vigorously. Pretend you’re mixing a cocktail and someone said, “You can’t cook.”

You want even coating — no naked cereal bits left behind.

5. Taste Test (Very Important)

Quality Control

Eat a handful. Maybe two. Consider a career in snack-based culinary innovation.

6. Cool + Serve

Spread + Chill (Optional but Helpful)

Spread mix on parchment to cool. OR skip this step and eat straight from the bag like a chaotic legend. No judgement here.

Recipe Tips

• Stir while microwaving. Otherwise you get weird burnt sugar blobs. Not cute.
• Shake immediately. If you wait too long, the chocolate mixture sets and sugar won’t stick.
• Don’t skimp on powdered sugar. This is not the time to be modest.
• Mix gently. Unless you’re into cereal crumbs. I’m not judging your life choices.
• Want extra flavor? Add a tiny pinch of sea salt when cooling. trust me. Angel choir noises.

Make Ahead, Storing & Freezing

• Make ahead: Totally. It stays amazing.
• Store: Airtight container, room temp, up to 1 week. Realistically lasts 24 hours — depending on your willpower.
• Freeze: Yup! Freeze up to 2 months.
  Eat straight from freezer for a cold crunchy snack (it slaps).

Pro tip: Hide a secret stash bag. Trust me.

Variations & Fun Add-Ins

Want to live dangerously? Try these:

• Chocolate drizzle on top
• Pretzel pieces → sweet & salty heaven
• Chopped peanuts or almonds
• Toasted coconut flakes → tropical muddy buddies? yes pls.
• Mini marshmallows for fluff vibes
• Sprinkles because adulthood is optional

DIY your snack destiny.

FAQ

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?
Yep, works great. Sunflower butter if nut-free. The world is your buttery playground.

Can I skip powdered sugar?
Sure… if you hate joy.

Why is my mix soggy?
You didn’t coat well or you poured too slow. Work faster, snack warrior.

Can I use chocolate chips instead?
Yes — but then it’s chocolate muddy buddies and you should still make these too.

Is this gluten-free?
Rice Chex = GF. Butterscotch chips & other add-ins vary — check labels if needed.

Can kids help make this?
Absolutely. Just prepare for sugar clouds and sticky chaos.

How do I stop myself from eating the whole bowl?
Lol. You don’t.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: Butterscotch Muddy Buddies — the easiest, most addictive, crowd-pleasing treat in snack history. It’s fast. It’s sweet. It’s crunchy. It makes life better. And honestly? It’s impossible to mess up.

Now go whip up a batch, binge-snack without shame, and maybe share… or don’t. This is a judgment-free kitchen.

Snack on, legend.