If you’ve seen my viral rice cake muddy buddies, you already know they’re kind of addictive. They’ve got that classic puppy chow energy: chocolatey, crunchy, a little messy, but made with rice cakes for a lighter, gluten free twist.
This “dirt” version is easily one of the most fun spins. Think dirt pudding cups, but in snack mix form. You’ve got chocolate-coated rice cake pieces, chunks of Oreos, and gummy worms tossed in for that full nostalgic moment. It’s crunchy, sweet, and honestly hard to stop grabbing handfuls.
No baking, minimal effort, and perfect for sharing. Or keeping to yourself, no judgment.
How to Make Dirt Rice Cake Muddy Buddies
This recipe is super straightforward and comes together fast. Start by crushing your chocolate rice cakes into bite-sized pieces. A zip-top bag makes this easy. You’re aiming for a mix of chunks and textures, not dust.
Next, melt your chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth. The coconut oil helps thin the chocolate so it coats everything evenly and sets nicely.
Pour the melted chocolate over the crushed rice cakes and mix until fully coated. Take your time here to make sure every piece gets covered.
Transfer everything into a bag, then add the sugar-free chocolate pudding mix and chopped Oreos. Shake it up until everything is coated and you get that classic muddy buddy look.
Chill the mixture in the fridge so the chocolate sets, then toss with gummy worms right before serving for that full dirt dessert vibe.
Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
Don’t over-crush the rice cakes. You want crunchy pieces of various sizes, not crumbs.
Make sure your chocolate is fully melted and smooth before mixing. If it’s too thick, it won’t coat well.
The coconut oil really helps with texture, so don’t skip it. If you need to substitute it, I’d recommend cashew butter as it won’t affect the flavor as much as a peanut or almond butter.
Shake thoroughly when adding the pudding mix and Oreos so everything gets evenly coated.
Let them chill long enough to set. This makes a big difference in texture.
If your kitchen runs warm, store them in the fridge. Otherwise, room temp is totally fine. If you store in the fridge, don’t add the gummy worms until serving as their texture changes when cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these gluten free?
They can be. Just make sure your rice cakes and chocolate sandwich cookies are labeled gluten free.
Can I use a different chocolate?
Yes, milk chocolate or dark chocolate both work great. You can also substitute in a dairy free or sugar free chocolate to best fit your lifestyle.
What does the pudding mix do?
It adds sweetness and gives that classic muddy buddy-style coating instead of powdered sugar.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yep, they store well for a few days in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
Do I have to add gummy worms?
No, but they make it way more fun and give that “dirt dessert” feel.
More Rice Cake Muddy Buddy Variations
If you like these, you should try my other variations. I’ve been loving coming up with new flavor combos for this addicting snack!
- Rice Cake Muddy Buddies are the OG chocolate and peanut butter version
- Dubai Rice Cake Muddy Buddies have a delicious pistachio twist
- Cookies and Cream Rice Cake Muddy Buddies are perfect for Oreo lovers
- Pumpkin Spice Rice Cake Muddy Buddies are a Fall fave
- Gingerbread Rice Cake Muddy Buddies for when you’re feeling festive
Dirt Rice Cake Muddy Buddies (Gluten Free Puppy Chow Twist)
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Ziploc Bag
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 5 chocolate rice cakes
- 1/3 cup sugar-free chocolate pudding mix about 1 packet
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 5 Oreos chopped into large chunks
- 1/2 cup gummy worms about 20 worms
Instructions
- Place the chocolate rice cakes in a zip-top bag and gently crush them into bite-sized pieces, keeping some larger chunks for texture.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil in short intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the crushed rice cakes and mix until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture into a large bag, then add the chopped Oreos and sugar-free chocolate pudding mix.
- Seal the bag and shake well until everything is evenly coated.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and add the gummy worms, gently mixing them in before serving.
- Store at room temperature and enjoy.
