Looking for a treat that’s irresistibly crunchy, sweet, and bursting with nostalgic Neapolitan flavors? This Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix is your answer! With its delightful trio of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate coated Chex cereals, this snack is a visual and flavorful celebration. Each bite is coated in a creamy, flavorful layer and dusted with powdered sugar for the perfect finish.
Perfect for movie nights, birthday parties, or a sweet surprise in lunchboxes, this no-bake snack is both kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing. It stores beautifully and makes an adorable gift in mason jars or treat bags. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix
- Trio of flavors: Combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry for that classic Neapolitan blend.
- Visually stunning: The pink, white, and brown cereal pieces are as pretty as they are tasty.
- Quick & easy: No baking required and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Perfect for all occasions: Great for gifting, parties, or an after-school snack.
- Make-ahead friendly: Stores well in airtight containers for days.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
To get started, gather your ingredients and prepare three separate bowls for each flavor.
Essential Tools and Equipment:
- Large mixing bowls (x3): One for each of the Neapolitan flavors to prevent mixing.
- Microwave-safe bowls: For melting the chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry melts.
- Silicone spatulas: Perfect for stirring the coated cereal gently without crushing it.
- Zip-top bags or a large sifter: To coat cereal pieces evenly with powdered sugar.
- Parchment paper: For cooling the puppy chow without sticking.
These tools help streamline the process and ensure even coating, mess-free sugar tossing, and easy clean-up. You’ll love how effortless the whole snack mix comes together when you’re organized!

Ingredients for the Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix
- Rice Chex cereal: The crisp, hollow squares hold up beautifully to coatings without getting soggy.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melted to coat one third of the cereal for a rich chocolate base.
- White chocolate chips: For the creamy vanilla layer, balancing the other bold flavors.
- Strawberry candy melts or pink melting wafers: Add the fun fruity flavor and rosy hue.
- Powdered sugar: Creates that classic puppy chow finish and keeps the mix from sticking.
- Vegetable or coconut oil: Helps melt the chocolate and candy wafers smoothly.
How To Make the Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix
Step 1: Divide and Prep
Measure equal parts of Rice Chex into three large bowls. Each bowl will represent one of the Neapolitan flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Step 2: Melt and Mix – Chocolate Layer
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with a bit of oil. Stir until smooth, then gently fold into one bowl of cereal. Toss until coated.
Step 3: Melt and Mix – Vanilla Layer
Repeat the process with the white chocolate chips and oil. Stir into the second bowl of cereal and gently toss.
Step 4: Melt and Mix – Strawberry Layer
Melt strawberry candy melts (or pink wafers) with a small amount of oil until silky. Coat the last bowl of cereal thoroughly.
Step 5: Powder Sugar Toss
Transfer each coated batch into a large zip-top bag or bowl with powdered sugar. Shake or toss to coat completely. Spread each flavor out onto parchment paper to cool.
Step 6: Combine & Serve
Once fully cooled, gently mix all three flavors together in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container or package into bags or jars for gifting.
How to Serve and Store Your Neapolitan Puppy Chow
This snack mix is best served in small bowls or cups at parties, or scooped into mason jars and tied with ribbon for festive gifting. For maximum crunch, enjoy within the first few days of making.
To store, place the mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Avoid storing in the fridge as it can cause condensation and make the cereal soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t find strawberry melts?
You can substitute with white chocolate and mix in a bit of strawberry extract and food coloring to get that fruity flavor and pink hue.
Can I use other types of cereal?
Yes! While Rice Chex works best, Corn Chex or even Crispix can be used as substitutes with similar results.
Is this recipe safe for kids to help with?
Absolutely! Kids can help stir, shake the sugar bags, and combine the final mix—just handle the hot melting part yourself.
How long does the puppy chow last?
It stays fresh and crunchy for about a week when stored properly in an airtight container.
Can I freeze Neapolitan Puppy Chow?
Freezing isn’t recommended as the texture changes. For the best flavor and crunch, keep it at room temp.
What kind of oil is best for melting the chocolates?
A neutral oil like vegetable or coconut oil works best for creating smooth, glossy melts without altering the flavor.
Want More Snack Mix Ideas with a Twist?
If you love this Neapolitan Puppy Chow, you’ll definitely want to try these other snackable treats:
- Winter Brittle for a seasonal crunch with a hint of spice.
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins for breakfast turned dessert.
- Simple Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies for a fruity, buttery cookie option.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake if you’re craving a rich and easy dessert.
- Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake with bold berry punch and creamy topping.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add your own twist with extra toppings or candies? Did you use different cereals?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other snack smarter.
Looking for more snackable sweets? Follow me on Pinterest @Americanrecipesbyheart for more daily recipe ideas from my kitchen to yours.

Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sweet & Easy Neapolitan Puppy Chow Snack Mix is a no-bake, kid-friendly dessert made with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry-coated Rice Chex cereal. It’s crunchy, colorful, and coated in powdered sugar—perfect for parties, lunchbox treats, or edible gifts. If you’re craving a simple yet fun snack mix, this Neapolitan puppy chow hits all the sweet notes. Great for fans of pink snacks, cereal desserts, or DIY food gifts.
Ingredients
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup strawberry candy melts or pink melting wafers
1 ½ cups powdered sugar (divided between the 3 flavors)
3 teaspoons vegetable or coconut oil (1 tsp per flavor)
Instructions
1. Measure 1 cup of Rice Chex cereal into each of three large mixing bowls.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of oil. Stir until smooth.
3. Pour the melted chocolate over the first bowl of cereal and gently stir to coat.
4. Place the chocolate-coated cereal in a zip-top bag with ½ cup powdered sugar. Shake well to coat. Spread on parchment to cool.
5. Repeat steps 2–4 with the white chocolate chips and second bowl of cereal.
6. Repeat steps 2–4 with the strawberry melts and the final bowl of cereal.
7. Once all coated cereals are cool and set, combine them into one large bowl.
8. Mix gently and store in an airtight container or divide into gift bags.
Notes
Make sure the chocolate mixtures are fully melted and smooth before coating the cereal to ensure even coverage.
Don’t over-stir the cereal or it may break apart—use a soft spatula and fold gently.
Allow the coated cereal to cool completely before combining, or the colors may mix together and become muddy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack / Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg

