Skinny 100-Calorie Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix
This skinny version of ‘puppy chow’ is vegan, gluten-free, there’s no butter or oil added, and it’s ready in less than 5 minutes. It also makes a modest batch when you don’t need a gallon of puppy chow around, skinny or not. It’s crispy, crunchy, and chewy. It’ll tame your fiercest chocolate cravings, and with peanut butter undertones, it’s satisfying and tastes far more decadent than the stats indicate at just 100 calories per half cup. It’s fast and easy to make and is ready in less than 5 minutes for times when you want a comforting snack without mindlessly eating a half day’s worth of empty calories. For a salty-and-sweet twist, substitute half the cereal for waffle-board style pretzels. As written, the recipe is vegan/GF. Always read labels to make sure all products and brands are appropriate for your dietary needs.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup peanut butter don’t use natural or homemade, too runny, creamy
- ¼ cup corn syrup or brown rice syrup, agave, honey, light-colored
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups corn chex
- cocoa powder or to taste, about 1/4 cup, unsweetened natural
- pinch or packet s of zero-calorie sweetener Truvia, Splenda, stevia, etc., optional and to taste (I didn’t need any)
- pinch kosher salt optional and to taste for a salty-and-sweet treat, or sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, corn syrup, and heat on high power for 30 seconds to melt. Stir mixture smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla; set mixture aside.
- In a large bowl, add the cereal.
- Pour wet mixture over the cereal and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup cocoa powder, or to taste, and toss to coat.
- Taste the mix and optionally add a pinch or packet(s) zero-calorie sweetener. I didn’t find it necessary, but I’m not bothered by the bitterness of cocoa powder.
- For a salty-and-sweet treat, optionally sprinkle with salt, to taste.
- Mix will keep airtight for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 143kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Sodium | 98mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.