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This pretty pink strawberry Chex mix is a fun variation of a favorite no-bake treat: puppy chow (or muddy buddies!). Perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat with all the pink, but also great any time at all. Only about 15 minutes to prep, minimal ingredients and the perfect pop of strawberry flavor from freeze-dried strawberries. This will be a favorite for sure!
This pink chex mix is a perfect treat for this Valentine’s Day while all of the pink and red candies, sprinkles etc. are in stock. However, it can certainly be more than just Valentine’s puppy chow–we eat this year round!
If you love no-bake treats like this one, try these as well: Snickerdoodle Puppy Chow, No Bake Cheesecake Balls, Greek Yogurt Bark, Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats or these Golden Oreo Truffles.
Why you’ll Strawberry Chex Mix
Even though this seems a lot like a Valentine’s Day recipe, the pop of strawberry flavor is certainly perfect year round. If you love a good puppy chow recipe–this one is going to amaze you!
This strawberry chex mix recipe:
- is very easy to make
- makes for a fun Valentine’s treat while also being great for anytime
- can be varied with lots of fun add-ins
- has a natural pop of pink color from freeze-dried strawberries
- will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long, ha)
Cannot wait to hear what you think. Enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
See full recipe below in recipe card with exact measurements.
- You don’t have to use Chex brand cereal for this strawberry chex mix. I have used Kroger brand many times with success. I think Kroger calls them Rice Bitz? They are a common cereal that usually has a store brand for much less.
- For the most successful melted white chocolate, a higher quality white chocolate will typically melt up more smoothly–like Ghiradelli melting wafers, etc. However, any sort of white/vanilla candy coating, or white chocolate chips can work as long as you don’t over heat it. White chocolate can get too hot and seize up and then it is not salvageable so just be aware.
- The freeze-dried strawberries give this puppy chow a pop of pink color and a little strawberry flavor so I don’t think there is a good option for substitutes. If you want the Chex mix to be a stronger pink color, you could add a couple drops of red or pink food coloring as well.
Ways To Vary This Recipe
- feel free to add in any of the following: crushed Golden Oreos or vanilla sandwich cookies, mini pretzel twists, marshmallows–I saw pink hearts at the store recently, and more.
- you could technically use dark or regular chocolate instead of the white chocolate for a strawberry chocolate flavor. The color won’t be the same but it will still work.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a food processor, process the freeze-dried strawberries until a fine powder. There will be tiny seeds that may not completely break down and that is okay. You can try to crush them using a plastic bag and heavy spoon, but that may take a while.
Step 2: Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in about 20 second increments, stirring each time. When it is almost all the way melted, keep stirring to melt the remaining white chocolate versus microwaving anymore to prevent overheating it and making it unusable. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the strawberry powder.
Step 3: Mix until combined.
Step 4: Pour the strawberry white chocolate mixture over the Chex in a large mixing bowl.
Step 5: Gently stir to combine and evenly coat the cereal.
Step 6: In a large plastic ziplock bag, add the powdered sugar and remaining powdered strawberries.
Step 7: Transfer the Chex mixture to the bag and seal.
Step 8: Shake well to allow all of the cereal to become evenly coated in the powdered sugar mixture. Once coated, transfer to a bowl or a parchment lined cookie sheet to allow the Chex mix to cool completely. Before serving, add in MM’s and colorful sprinkles along with any other add-ins you may want to use. Dig in!
Recipe Tips
Do not over heat the white chocolate. White chocolate can be finicky and just a second or two past it’s melting point, it can seize up. It is not usable once this happens. I suggest microwaving in 20 second intervals and stirring well between each. Once it is mostly melted, you can just keep stirring to melt the remaining pieces. You can also use a double boiler method if preferred.
Freeze-dried strawberries are typically found with the dried-fruit. Our grocery has quite a few freeze-dried fruits in stock now and stores them with raisins, dried cranberries, etc. The ones I use are not sweetened but you could use sweetened if preferred.
Storage
Store this puppy chow in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week. It never lasts that long in our house though! People say that puppy chow can be stored in the freezer, but I have not done it before to be honest.
More Valentine’s Day Recipes
Desserts
Red Velvet Blossom Cookies
Cookies
Chocolate Lava Cookies
Desserts
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Cookies
Brownie Crinkle Cookies
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Strawberry Chex Mix
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice Chex cereal
- 12 oz white chocolate chips, or melting wafers
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup red or pink/Valentine M&Ms
- 2 Tbsp red, pink and white sprinkles
- optional add-ins: mini pretzels, crushed Golden Oreos, mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, etc.
Instructions
- Add the Chex cereal to a large bowl.
- In a food processor, process the freeze-dried strawberries until a fine powder. There will be tiny seeds that may not completely break down and that is okay. You can try to crush them using a plastic bag and heavy spoon, but that may take a while.
- Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in about 20 second increments, stirring each time. When it is almost all the way melted, keep stirring to melt the remaining white chocolate versus microwaving anymore to prevent overheating it and making it unusable.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of the strawberry powder made in step 2. Mix until combines.
- Pour the strawberry white chocolate mixture over the Chex and gently stir to combine and evenly coat the cereal.
- In a large plastic ziplock bag, add the powdered sugar and remaining powdered strawberries. Transfer the Chex mixture to the bag and seal. Shake well to allow all of the cereal to become evenly coated in the powdered sugar mixture.
- Once coated, transfer to a bowl or a parchment lined cookie sheet to allow the Chex mix to cool completely. Before serving, add in MM's and colorful sprinkles along with any other add-ins you may want to use. Dig in!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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