If you love that classic chocolate-peanut-butter muddy buddies snack mix but wish it had a cool, minty twist… this is about to become your new obsession. These Andes Mint Muddy Buddies are crunchy, chocolatey, perfectly sweet, and packed with chopped Andes Mint pieces and mint M&M’s for that irresistible mint-chocolate combo.
They’re festive enough for Christmas trays, fun enough for St. Patrick’s Day, and honestly? Dangerous enough to keep on your kitchen counter any time of year. The sweet powdered sugar coating, the rich melted chocolate mixture, and those pops of minty crunch make this one of those “just one more handful” recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required. Perfect for busy days, holiday prep, or when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Ready in minutes. Just melt, mix, shake, cool, and toss in the candy.
- Perfect sweet + mint balance. The peanut butter and chocolate keep the mint from being overpowering.
- Great for gifting. Package in cute jars or treat bags and it looks bakery-level adorable.
- Kid-approved. It’s crunchy, sweet, colorful, and fun to help shake in the bag.
And let’s be honest… it’s basically candy disguised as snack mix. We love a low-effort win.
What Are Andes Mint Muddy Buddies?
Andes Mint Muddy Buddies are a minty twist on the classic chocolate-peanut butter snack mix you probably grew up loving. Traditionally made with Rice Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then shaken in powdered sugar, this version adds chopped Hershey’s Andes Mint bars and mint M&M’s for that cool, chocolate-mint flavor everyone loves.
The result? Crunchy cereal coated in a rich chocolate mixture, dusted in sweet powdered sugar, and finished with little pops of creamy mint candy throughout. They’re sweet, crunchy, slightly creamy from the chocolate coating, and completely addictive in that “just one more handful” way.
If you love Andes Mints after dinner, this is basically that flavor turned into a fun, shareable snack mix.
FAQ
Can I make Andes Mint Muddy Buddies ahead of time?
Yes! They store beautifully. Make them 2–3 days in advance and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Do I have to use peanut butter?
No. If you have a peanut allergy or just don’t love peanut butter with mint, you can substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Can I skip the mint M&M’s?
Absolutely. They add color and extra crunch, but you can leave them out or swap in regular M&M’s, white chocolate chips, or even crushed peppermint.
How do I keep them from getting soggy?
Make sure the cereal is fully coated but not drenched. Also, let the mixture cool completely before adding the candy so nothing melts into a sticky mess.
Can I freeze Muddy Buddies?
You can! Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, but use a very large mixing bowl or divide it into two batches. You want everything evenly coated without crushing the cereal.
Additions and Substitutions
This recipe is super flexible depending on the vibe you want.
Swap the peanut butter:
- Almond butter
- Sunflower seed butter
- Cookie butter for a sweeter twist
Change up the chocolate:
- Use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter mix
- Dark chocolate for a richer flavor
- Mint chocolate chips for extra minty flavor
Add-ins to mix things up:
- Mini marshmallows
- White chocolate drizzle on top
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Mini chocolate chips
- Pretzel pieces for sweet and salty
Make it extra festive:
Pastel candy for spring
Red and green M&M’s for Christmas
All green candy for St. Patrick’s Day
Personal Kitchen Notes
I love making this one when I need something quick that still feels special. It’s one of those recipes that looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did. My kitchen always smells like melted chocolate when I make it, and I swear the bowl starts disappearing before I even finish cleaning up.
The key for me is breaking the Andes Mints into smaller pieces so you get little bursts of mint in every handful instead of giant chunks. And don’t skip spreading it out on wax paper to cool — that keeps it from clumping together.
Also… hide a small container for yourself before putting it out. Trust me.
Storage Tips
Muddy Buddies store incredibly well, which makes them perfect for parties, gifting, or prepping ahead of time.
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to prevent the powdered sugar from becoming sticky.
- Refrigerator: Not necessary, but you can refrigerate if your kitchen runs warm. Just know condensation can sometimes affect the powdered sugar coating.
- Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Let them come back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- For gifting: Make sure they are completely cooled before sealing in jars or treat bags so moisture doesn’t build up.
If they start to clump slightly, just gently break them apart before serving.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid + Troubleshooting Tips
This recipe is simple, but a few small things can make a big difference in texture and flavor.
Don’t Overheat the Chocolate
Microwaving too long can cause the chocolate to seize or turn grainy. Heat in short intervals and stir well between each round.
Make Sure the Mixture Is Smooth
If the chocolate-peanut butter mixture isn’t fully melted and smooth, it won’t coat the cereal evenly.
Don’t Crush the Cereal
When mixing, fold gently or use clean hands. Stirring too aggressively can break the cereal and create crumbs.
Shake While Warm
Transfer the coated cereal into the bag and add powdered sugar while it’s still slightly warm. This helps the sugar stick properly.
Let It Cool Completely
Spread the coated cereal on wax paper and let it cool fully before adding the Andes Mint pieces and M&M’s. Adding them too soon can cause melting and sticky clumps.
Why Is My Muddy Buddies Soggy?
Too much melted mixture or not spreading them out to cool can trap moisture. Make sure the cereal is coated, not drenched.
Why Is the Powdered Sugar Melting?
If the mixture is too hot or your kitchen is humid, the sugar can absorb moisture. Let the coated cereal cool slightly before sealing in a container.
Follow those tips and you’ll get perfectly crunchy, sweet, minty muddy buddies every time.
Final Thoughts
Andes Mint Muddy Buddies are the kind of no-bake treat that instantly disappears at parties, holidays, or movie nights. They’re crunchy, sweet, minty, and completely addictive in the best way. Whether you’re making them for a festive gathering or just because you need a quick chocolate fix, this easy snack mix delivers big flavor with almost no effort. Once you try them, they’ll become one of those go-to recipes you make again and again.
Andes Mint Muddy Buddies
Ingredients
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter 1/2 stick – room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Mint flavored M&M’s dark green, light green and white
- Hershey Andes Mint bars broken into smaller pieces
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the rice Chex cereal and set aside.
- In a medium-sized microwave bowl, add the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave for 1 minute and stir.
- Microwave for an additional 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour mixture over the cereal and stir or mix with hands to coat evenly.
- Transfer the cereal into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
- Pour the powdered sugar into the bag and seal. Gently shake until all of the pieces are coated.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
- Carefully, pour out the cereal onto the baking sheet and spread out to cool.
- Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a serving bowl.
- Add mint flavored M&M’s and Andes Mint pieces.
- ENJOY!!
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