I have a confession. This pumpkin spice protein puppy chow is legit addicting. You have officially been warned. But don’t fret – no sugar high to fall from!! I even have some hacks to make this entire recipe sugar free… you know you are excited.
I made protein puppy chow for Christmas last year. I used chocolate peanut butter, it was pretty much amazing. But this year, I’ve been ALL ABOUT THE PUMPKIN (spice), and I’ve been daydreaming about combining these two flavors. Dave has a peanut allergy, so I knew I needed to look somewhere else for inspiration for this recipe. This was originally going to have sunbutter, but lets be honest, Dave doesn’t like me touching his sunbutter, especially when it’s for “recipe testing”.
So I decided to use my personal favorite… coconut butter! Have you tried it? It’s lusciously creamy, and the flavor is slightly sweet – perfect for this recipe! And the best part, it hardens when cold, so with your leftover coconut butter you should make carrot cake quinoa bites or chocolate shells for your ice cream!
I highly recommend buying a big jar of coconut butter – I usually find it mixed in with all the other nut butters – it’s even at my local Harris Teeter now! If you don’t want to invest in a large jar, just grab one of these smaller creamed coconut boxes. So, just pour the contents of the packaged container in a mason jar, microwave for 30 seconds then stir to mix for at least 30 seconds. This way the coconut oil on the top gets mixed into the butter, creating that luscious texture you are looking for in coconut butter.
My secret ingredient… white chocolate chips. I couldn’t resist! If you want to keep this recipe low in added sugar, you will need to use all coconut butter. But if you are up for a bit of indulgence… add the white chocolate chips – you won’t be sad you did! I discovered my love for pumpkin and white chocolate when I made the same pumpkin white chocolate cookies for Dave 3 times in a row and then he suggested we have white chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes the same Saturday morning. Yeah, it’s that good.
So if you find yourself looking for a crunchy, sweet, pumpkin spice, vegan, gluten free snack, that you can feel good about feeding your kids, look no further!
Pumpkin Spice Protein Puppy Chow
Ingredients
- 3 tbs. coconut butter
- 3-4 tbs white chocolate chips melted (or 2 tbs. coconut butter for sugar-free option)
- 6 cups Rice Chex
- 1 tbs. pumpkin pie spice divided
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder I used Raw Fusion, vanilla bean
Instructions
- In a small bowl,combine the coconut butter and white chocolate chips. Microwave for 20 seconds to melt the white chocolate chips. Stir until combined and fully melted.
- Add 1/2 tbs. of pumpkin spice to the melted white chocolate and coconut butter. Stir to combine.
- In a large bowl (preferably one with a lid), add the 6 cups Chex cereal.
- Pour white chocolate mixture over the Chex cereal and stir to mix well. I use a large spoon and my hand for this!
- Once all the Chex cereal is covered, add the remaining pumpkin pie spice and vanilla protein powder.
- Cover and shake to distribute the protein powder. If you don't have a lid for your bowl, stir well! Alternatively you could put this in a gallon sized zip lock bag and shake well!
Nutrition
What about you?
- What’s your favorite fall snack?
- Do you have a go-to party snack you love to make?
Sarah Grace
November 9, 2015 at 9:05 pmyesssss, LOVE IT. Love my protein snacks, and love my pumpkin..so this is a WINNER 🙂
xo,
Sarah Grace
Creatively Homespun
November 7, 2015 at 8:23 pmThis looks fab!!!! Way to bring it! 🙂 Thank you for linking up to Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party. I have pinned all your recipes to our Tasty Tuesday’s Pinterest Board
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
November 4, 2015 at 11:58 pmI have to admit, I thought this was really for your puppy at first. However, it looks really delicious and I can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing at Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Heather
November 3, 2015 at 9:02 amYummy! I can not wait to try this out.
Danita Carr
November 2, 2015 at 11:31 pmThis looks amazing! Perfect for parties! #SmallVictories
Elaine
November 2, 2015 at 10:12 pmWow! what a great snack and it’s not too bad for you either ! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again this week!! Pinned!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
October 31, 2015 at 12:26 amI can definitely see that this would be addicting. Looks amazing!
Annmarie
October 30, 2015 at 4:13 pmUM, Pumpkin Spice Protein Puppy Chow, YUM! My hubby would love this!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
October 30, 2015 at 1:45 pmCreative and very yummy looking!
amber
October 30, 2015 at 12:52 pmGreat idea! Do you know how many times recently people have looked at me like a weirdo for caring what’s in my pets food and checking out the ingredient list the same way I do for food that I eat?
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
October 30, 2015 at 12:37 pmThis looks so tasty! Always tickles me…puppy chow?!
Theresa @DearCreatives
October 30, 2015 at 11:51 amLooks really good. I know my daughter would love this. She is a white chocolate fan. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared.
Jess @hellotofit
October 30, 2015 at 9:09 amTrick or treat! Now can I have a small batch? Hehe.
I looove puppy chow, and I’m sure this would be a hit at our house. Thanks for sharing, Sam!!
Sara at Handy Herbs
October 30, 2015 at 8:01 amThis looks so tasty. I have never used puppy chow but I will be giving it a go! Thanks for sharing #FreeFromFridays
Megan
October 30, 2015 at 7:37 amOh my gosh just the title of this had me drooling! I haven’t had puppy chow in so long but it looks like I need to!
jill conyers
October 30, 2015 at 6:01 amYum! I’ve never had puppy chow but this makes it so tempting to try. Wait. Rice chex are gluten free right. Have a wonderful weekend Sam!
GiGi Eats
October 30, 2015 at 12:50 amI remember the one and only time I ever had “puppy chow” – OMGG this sheeze is BOMB! and Addictive!!!!!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
October 29, 2015 at 8:08 pmUMMM HELLO AMAZING! This is incredible. Pinned!!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
October 29, 2015 at 5:05 pmI love the thought of snacking on this tasty recipe! Showed this to Lynne and she wants it make soon! Ha ha! Pinned. Thank you Sam!
Liora (Allthingsloveli)
October 29, 2015 at 3:53 pmI’ve actually never tried coconut butter, which is crazy considering how much coconut oil I use! I love rice chex as well, I can’t wait to try this!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit
October 29, 2015 at 2:30 pmRice chex on its OWN is already God of the cereal department. Butttt rice chex in COCONUT BUTTER. Now that seems to good to be true 🙂
Rachel @ athletic avocado
October 29, 2015 at 12:51 pmOh wow, I need this in my life! I actually tried to make a pumpkin spice puppy chow a few weeks ago, but it failed miserably! Atleast now I can make it using this great recipe!
Dani @ Dani California Cooks
October 29, 2015 at 11:58 amI couldn’t keep this in my house for long. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
October 29, 2015 at 11:11 amMUST must make!!! And I love the protein powder too!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
October 29, 2015 at 11:02 amI have not had puppy chow since I was a kid. What a fun snack! I’m all over the peanut butter version with white chocolate chips. I can say no to regular chocolate, but there’s something magical about white chocolate.
Jen
October 29, 2015 at 10:08 amMmm, yes. Making this over the weekend. Gah, it looks so good!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
October 29, 2015 at 9:14 amOh yummy! This looks and sounds so good! I’ve been meaning to make a batch of puppy chow – I may have to try this pumpkin version, because…. pumpkin!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
October 29, 2015 at 9:04 amThat looks amazing! You make the yummiest looking food!!!
Sarah
October 29, 2015 at 9:02 amLooks so good!!! Thanks for sharing. Coming over from the Shine Blog Hop.
Susie @ Suzlyfe
October 29, 2015 at 6:52 amWant. Need. Have to have. Holy crow yun!