Introduction

This Zesty Lemonade Puppy Chow is a refreshing twist on the classic snack mix. Bursting with bright lemon flavor, it’s perfect for summer gatherings or a sweet, tangy treat anytime.

A white bowl filled with many small square pieces of light yellow lemon-flavored candy, each dusted heavily with white powdered sugar. The bowl is placed on a white marbled textured surface, with a few square pieces scattered around the bowl. In the background, there are whole and sliced bright yellow lemons, slightly out of focus, adding a fresh feel to the image. The colors are soft and warm, highlighting the powdered sugar's light texture on the candies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons lemon zest (freshly grated)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup lemon-flavored instant pudding mix

Instructions

Step 1: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted.
Step 2: Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined.
Step 3: Pour the Rice Chex cereal into the bowl with the lemon chocolate mixture. Gently fold the cereal to coat each piece evenly without crushing them.
Step 4: In a separate large resealable plastic bag, mix together the powdered sugar and lemon-flavored instant pudding mix.
Step 5: Transfer the coated cereal into the bag with the powdered sugar mixture. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until all pieces are well coated.
Step 6: Spread the finished puppy chow on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and set for about 30 minutes before enjoying.

Tips & Variations

Use a silicone spatula to gently fold the cereal to avoid breaking the pieces.
For extra zest, sprinkle a little extra lemon zest on top before the coating sets.
Substitute lemon-flavored pudding mix with vanilla pudding mix for a milder, complementary flavor.
If you prefer a stronger citrus punch, add a teaspoon of lemon extract along with the lemon juice.

Storage

Store the Zesty Lemonade Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep it away from heat and humidity to maintain crispness. To refresh texture, you can re-crisp the snack briefly in a warm oven at 250°F (120°C) for 5–7 minutes.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with many small, square-shaped yellow cookies covered in white powdered sugar, and some cookies scattered around the bowl. The background is a white marbled texture with whole lemons in soft focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of cereal instead of Rice Chex?

Yes, you can substitute with other sturdy cereals like Corn Chex or Cheerios, but avoid fragile cereals that may become soggy or break easily.

Can this snack be made dairy-free?

You can try using dairy-free white chocolate chips and a plant-based butter substitute to make this recipe dairy-free, though the texture and flavor might vary slightly.

Zesty Lemonade Puppy Chow Snack Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 109 reviews

This Zesty Lemonade Puppy Chow Snack is a bright and tangy twist on the classic puppy chow, combining crunchy Rice Chex cereal coated in a luscious white chocolate and lemon-infused mixture. Perfect for summer parties or a refreshing snack, it offers a delightful balance of sweet and citrus flavors with a powdery finish.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons lemon zest (freshly grated)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup lemon-flavored instant pudding mix

Instructions

Melt the Chocolate Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and unsalted butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
Add Lemon Flavor: Stir in the freshly grated lemon zest and lemon juice into the melted white chocolate mixture. Mix well to infuse the citrus flavor evenly.
Coat the Cereal: Place the Rice Chex cereal into a large mixing bowl. Pour the lemon-infused white chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently fold the cereal to coat every piece thoroughly without crushing them.
Prepare the Powder Sugar Mixture: In a separate large resealable plastic bag or bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon-flavored instant pudding mix, mixing well to create the dry coating blend.
Combine and Toss: Transfer the coated cereal to the powdered sugar and pudding mixture. Seal the bag or cover the bowl, then shake or toss gently to evenly cover all the coated cereal pieces with the powdery lemon mixture.
Cool and Set: Spread the coated cereal out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or large tray to cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the coating to firm up slightly.
Serve or Store: Once set, serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

For extra zest, consider adding a little lemon extract in addition to fresh zest and juice.
Make sure to coat the cereal gently to avoid breaking pieces.
This snack is best enjoyed fresh but will keep well stored in an airtight container.
Feel free to substitute lemon-flavored instant pudding mix with another complementary flavor if preferred.

Keywords: lemonade puppy chow, lemon snack, white chocolate snack, lemon zest snack, Chex mix snack, tangy puppy chow, easy snack recipe