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Grain-Free Paleo Puppy Chow {Muddy Buddies}

in Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

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Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 5 GraphicIt still completely baffles me that Christmas is only ten days away.  I’m not entirely sure how that happened, but I have to admit that it has all caught up with me a bit.  Luckily, I just finished my shopping and am one step closer to actually getting those presents wrapped.

I stopped by Wal-Mart on Friday to pick up everything I needed for gift wrapping.  Then I got sucked into the holiday baking aisle and suddenly just had  to partake in the action.  Though I am so not a baker, I always get in the mood to make a sweet treat or dessert around Christmas time.  As you can imagine, that is a bit more difficult this year with my dietary restrictions.

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 4Luckily, I never back down from a challenge.  And a challenge it was!  Then I thought about one of my favorite sweet holiday treats: puppy chow (A.K.A. muddy buddies or monkey munch).  It’s pretty obvious that cereal, peanut butter, and powdered sugar aren’t really a part of my “to eat” list right now.  But do you know what is?

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_ChowPlantain chips!
Dark chocolate!
Sunflower seed butter (the seeds are back)!
Coconut sugar!

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 8Nontraditional?  You bet.  But the more I thought about it, the more I believed it could really work.

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 3My puppy chow-loving self is so glad I made this happen.  While it does not taste exactly like the real deal, it is a pretty darn good substitute for anyone eating grain-free, nut-free, dairy-free, etc.  It 100% crushed my holiday snacking cravings.

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 7Grain-Free Paleo Puppy Chow {Muddy Buddies}
Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Nightshade-Free, Egg-Free, Soy-Free
*Adapted from this recipe.

Makes about 3 cups.

Ingredients

1 cup of coconut sugar
7 oz of dark chocolate (I used two 3.5 oz dark chocolate bars with minimal ingredients, but one cup of dairy-free chocolate chips would also work)
1/4 cup sunflower seed butter (look for sunflower seeds and salt as the only ingredients)
2- 4 oz bags of plantain chips (look for plantains, palm oil, and salt as the only ingredients)

Optional:
2 to 4 TB of arrowroot starch (to produce a more natural, white powdery look)
2 to 4 TB of cocoa powder, cacao powder, or carob powder (if you want a double-chocolate puppy chow)

Directions

1. In a high powdered blender, process coconut sugar until it resembles a fine powder.  Let the dust settle before removing the lid of the blender.

2. Heat chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave for approximately 60 to 90 seconds, or until melted, stirring once halfway through.

3. Add sunflower seed butter to the melted chocolate and stir until well-combined.

4. Carefully fold plantain chips into the melted chocolate/sunflower seed butter mixture.

5. Place coated plantain chips in a resealable plastic bag.  Add powdered coconut sugar.  Add arrowroot starch and cocoa/cacao/carob powder, if using.  Gently toss until the plantain chips are well-coated.

6. Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour prior to serving.  I recommend storing in an air-tight container (see below) and keeping it in the refrigerator to prevent melting.

Unlike regular puppy chow, this version is more prone to stick together or clump.  This, of course, doesn’t bother me because it still tastes darn delicious.

This grain-free Paleo puppy chow was so good that I knew I had to share it with others.  Even if they could eat the “real deal,” they had to try my allergy-friendly version!

Rubbermaid_TakeAlongs_Wal-MartSince I had already picked up a couple of packages of Rubbermaid TakeAlongs while I was getting Christmas ready at Wal-Mart, I was all set.  I loved that they came in various sizes and festive holiday colors, making them perfect for gifting.  And with a few of my wrapping materials, I made the cutest holiday gifts for my closest friends and family.

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 12I made sure to throw in some traditional chex mix, too, just in case not everyone was as in love with my Paleo puppy chow version as I was.  I think I was secretly hoping they wouldn’t be since that would mean more for me!

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 14P.S. My favorite person loved this.

Grain-Free_Paleo_Puppy_Chow 9Grain-Free #Paleo Puppy Chow is the perfect treat for the holidays! #ad #glutenfree Click To Tweet

Be sure to whip up this delicious puppy chow alternative and gift it to someone in cheery Rubbermaid TakeAlongs.  You can find a special Ibotta rebate offer for $1 off any two Rubbermaid TakeAlongs products here (for use at Wal-Mart only).

What is your favorite holiday treat that you love gifting to others?

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{ 25 comments… add one }
  • Joanna @Makingmine December 15, 2015, 8:23 am
    Ok, you should earn some sort of award for creativity! Awesome idea Hannah! Joanna @Makingmine recently posted...easy toddler ornamentsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 10:59 am
      Haha! Not gonna lie, I was even kind of proud for thinking of this one ;)
  • GiGi Eats December 15, 2015, 8:49 am
    Not to give you a bighead or anything... But you're KINDA A GENIUS! GiGi Eats recently posted...Chomping on CHOMPS!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 11:00 am
      You are far too kind! I am kind of in love with these, though, if I do say so myself!
  • Ashley December 15, 2015, 2:25 pm
    Ahhh I love what you did here!! Plaintain chips!! As muddy buddies! I adore this ... that is all! haha Ashley recently posted...Homemade Hot Chocolate Gift PackagesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 7:41 pm
      Thank you, Ashley!! You should probably give them a try ;)
  • Susie @ SuzLyfe December 15, 2015, 3:12 pm
    GENIUS. You are a geniiiiiiuuus! Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted...Injury Prevention: Pain and Discomfort in TrainingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 7:42 pm
      You are TOO kind! I hope you try and love them!
  • Rachel @LittleChefBigAppetite December 15, 2015, 5:40 pm
    what!? this is SO creative! I had no idea this could work!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 7:44 pm
      I didn't either until I tried it and... became OBSESSED. Seriously, I'm hooked!
  • Mary December 15, 2015, 6:49 pm
    Your puppy chow looks delicious. I need to make a trip to Walmart and check out the Rubbermaid TackAlongs. I need some new storage containers and these look like good ones!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 7:44 pm
      They are great! They're super durable and the lids stay on really well, which I love!
  • Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate December 15, 2015, 7:15 pm
    What a GENIUS idea!! Definitely finding the ingredients to make these this weekend! Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted...12 Days of CookiesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 7:45 pm
      Aw, thanks Katie!! Let me know if you try it :)
  • Alli O December 15, 2015, 8:13 pm
    This time of year can be SO HARD with dietary restrictions. Props to you for sticking with it even when it's not easy! These look awesome, I will have to give it a try. At least I know when I come to your blog, I will be able to make your recipes, even with my ever-changing diet restrictions ;)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 15, 2015, 8:31 pm
      I am so happy to be a resource for others who have "not-so-fun" dietary restrictions right now. Knowing that helps me to keep going!
  • Jenna M Wood December 16, 2015, 1:11 am
    Okay, this sounds amazing. We like to give non traditional treats too, and I love how simple these are to make and snack on. Thanks for sharing the idea! #client
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 16, 2015, 7:17 am
      SO simple, and so delicious! I hope you give them a try :)
  • Rachel @ Delicious Balance December 20, 2015, 4:54 pm
    Puppy chow was a favorite snack of mine in high school! I love this healthier alternative...I never would have thought of using plantain chips!
  • Emily December 20, 2015, 11:19 pm
    Can you find plantain chips at a regular store? I would LOVE to make this for my daddy. Emily recently posted...The Valleys of RecoveryMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 21, 2015, 8:38 am
      I can normally find them at places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Hy-Vee, Lucky's Market, and my local co-op... so YES!! They are usually either by the chips or in the produce section. Good luck!
  • Margaret @ Simple Fit Foodie December 21, 2015, 11:24 am
    How unique of an idea!!! So creative. I definitely should try this, I LOVE plantain chips :) Margaret @ Simple Fit Foodie recently posted...Healthy Homemade No-Bake Peanut Butter CupsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl December 21, 2015, 1:42 pm
      Yes, you definitely should since you love plantain chips. The sweet/salty combo of these is fantastic!

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