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It 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.
Luckily, 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?
Plantain chips!
Dark chocolate!
Sunflower seed butter (the seeds are back)!
Coconut sugar!
Nontraditional? You bet. But the more I thought about it, the more I believed it could really work.
My 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 {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!
Since 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.
I 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!
P.S. My favorite person loved this.
Grain-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?
