High Protein Puppy Chow

Soy-free Option

• Use pea protein crisps instead of edamame puffs.

Reduced Sugar Option

• Use a 1:1 powdered sugar alternative like monk fruit!

I feel like muddy buddies and puppy chow have been used pretty interchangeably over the years, but it seems like most people are calling it puppy chow at the moment, so that’s what I’m going with! This high protein puppy chow actually doesn’t have protein powder, which means it tastes exactly like the one you remember from when you were a kid (or adult – adults can totally enjoy puppy chow whenever they want). I used edamame puffs instead of the cereal that is typically used, so as I’m sure you noticed in the picture, the size and shape is different. Edamame Puffs are soy-based, about 80% protein and have a really nice crunch to them, so even though the shape is different, I think you’ll still enjoy this!

Because edamame puffs are relatively cheap (on a grams of protein/US$ basis), this is actually a pretty affordable high protein snack to keep around. Definitely cheaper than store bought protein bars/cookies!

If you are considering buying a big bag of edamame puffs and are worried about what else you can do with them, never fear! You can also make homemade high protein rice crispy treats, chocolate crunch bars, or just toss them on a smoothie bowl for some extra crunch!

Ingredients

• Edamame Puffs – these are also called Soy Crispies outside of the US (for reference). The only brand that I’m aware of inside of the US is SmartforLife. They sell on Amazon and also directly from their website. These are basically really crunchy little pebble things made out of soy protein! I like to use them anywhere I would normally use puffed rice, but in this recipe, I use them in place of the cereal that’s normally used. The shape is different than your standard puppy chow, but it still has the classic taste and crunch! If you’re soy-free, they make a similar product out of pea protein 🙂
• Vegan Butter – choose your favorite!
• Peanut Butter – I used regular peanut butter, because I already felt like the macros were pretty solid (and I was trying to keep the cost per serving low). But if you are trying to optimize your protein in this recipe, you can definitely sub in PBFit peanut butter spread!
• Chocolate Chips – I pretty much always use Enjoy Life because they always have them at my grocery store.
• Powdered Sugar – I used regular powdered sugar, but if you’re trying to reduce your sugar or calories, you could definitely swap this with a 1:1 powdered sugar replacement like monk fruit.
• Vanilla Extract

Instructions

• Add the vegan butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips to a large pot.
• Put on medium-low heat (so you don’t burn the chocolate). Stir continuously until everything has fully melted and is well-mixed. You shouldn’t have any butter chunks left.
• Remove from the heat and quickly add the vanilla (and stir well).

• Then add the edamame puffs and mix together until every little puff is well-coated in the peanut butter chocolate mixture. This is really important because the peanut butter chocolate mixture allows the powdered sugar to stick to the edamame puffs.

• Once the puffs are very well-coated, toss in the powdered sugar.
• Stir carefully and slowly. The goal is to coat the outside of the edamame puffs with powdered sugar. I stir slowly because I like when my edamame puffs clump together to form a puff cluster (the scientific word for this) which makes them significantly easier to pick up for snacking!

Silly Little Haiku

Edamame Puffs

The real goal is puff clusters

Puppy chow is great