Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are a peanut-butter lovers dream come true! These marshmallow-free Rice Krispie treats are naturally sweetened, full of rich and creamy peanut butter, and finished with a layer of chocolate to deliver a simple, yet satisfying no-bake dessert.
Calling all peanut butter chocolate lovers! These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are for you!
Just like my recipes for Peanut Butter Cups and Buckeye Candy, this Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treat recipe combines chocolate and peanut butter to create a no-bake dessert that will satisfying the most intense craving for peanut butter and chocolate!
Reasons to Love Peanut Butter Rice Krispies
- Only 4 Simple Ingredients. Just like my PB Oat Bars, these Peanut Butter Rice Cereal Treats are a no-bake treat made with just 4 ingredients. Okay, five ingredients if you add a layer of chocolate--which I strongly encourage!
- Marshmallow-Free & Naturally Sweetened. Honey and peanut butter replace the marshmallows and butter in a traditional rice cereal treat, to create a version that it is still perfectly sweet and delicious, while being peanut butter forward.
- Kid-Friendly Prep. While I recommend adult supervision when it comes to heating the honey, peanut butter Rice Krispie treats come together with just minutes of prep and are a perfect recipe for kids of all ages to help make.
- Adaptable Recipe. This recipe for Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats can be made with many dietary needs in mind. You can even makes these treats without peanut butter! I have provided adaptations to make these treats gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut free.
Notes on Ingredients
- Crisp Rice Cereal: Use the classic Rice Krispies brand of cereal, a generic Crispy Rice cereal, or opt for Brown Crisp Rice Cereal for a serving of whole grains.
- Peanut Butter: Use natural or shelf-stable peanut butter to make these rice cereal treat bars. If you peanut butter is unsalted, you will want to add a pinch of salt to the recipe as well.
- Vanilla Extract: A bit of pure vanilla just enhances the flavor and sweetness in this treat.
- Honey: The honey keeps these bars intact and adds sweetness to the recipe.
- Chocolate: Adding a layer of melted chocolate chips to top off these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats takes them over the top, but it is totally optional.
Recipe Modifications
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips or omit the chocolate from the topping.
- Peanut-Free: Replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter.
- Gluten-Free: Be sure your crisp rice cereal is certified gluten-free.
- Add Coconut Oil: To help the chocolate layer harden, you can opt to stir in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil to the melted chocolate.
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Baking Dish. Instead of buttering your baking dish, as classic rice cereal treat recipes call for, line your pan with parchment paper. The peanut butter mixture is sticky, just like the classic bars, so you need parchment paper to keep the cereal treats from sticking to the pan.
- Boil the Honey. Bring the honey to boil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Once the honey begins to boil, IMMEDIATELY turn off the heat. This allows the texture of the honey to change consistency to become thicker and stickier, which will help keep the bars intact.
- Combine Ingredients. To the honey, add in the peanut butter and vanilla extract and stir until just combined. Add in the cereal and stir the cereal into the peanut butter mixture until the cereal is well coated. Have a bit of patience. Just like classic Rice Krispie treats, it takes a little bit to coat the cereal with the mixture.
- Press Mixture Into Pan. Once combined, firmly pat down the rice cereal mixture into the prepared pan. I like to use a second piece of parchment paper to keep my hands clean.
- Chill. Whether adding chocolate or not, you want to chill your peanut butter Rice Krispie treats for at least 15 minutes to allow the bars
- Melt Chocolate. If adding a chocolate layer to the peanut butter cereal treats, place the chocolate chips or chunks into a heat-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 20 to 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until the chocolate is completely melted and has a smooth consistency. Feel free to add in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil to help the chocolate layer harden. I find this to be unnecessary.
- Ice Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter cereal treats and use a spatula or spoon to spread the chocolate out and evenly coat the bars.
- Chill. Place the peanut butter treats back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set up. Slice into squares and enjoy.
Storage Instructions
- Without the layer of chocolate, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- With the addition of chocolate, I recommend storing the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Recipes Starring Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter Banana Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Pancakes
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Peanut Butter Coffee
- Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal
If you enjoyed these Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter shelf-stable or natural
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of salt if peanut butter is unsalted
- 4 cups rice crisp cereal
- 2 cups chocolate chips optional
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil optional
Instructions
- Line a 7x11 or 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Grease a ½ cup measuring cup with oil or nonstick spray and measure out the honey. Pour the honey into a large saucepan. Bring the honey to boil over medium-high heat and then IMMEDIATELY turn off the heat.
- Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and dash of salt if needed, into the honey and stir until smooth. Add in the cereal and stir to evenly coat the crisped rice with the mixture.
- Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and firmly flatten out the mixture, using another piece of parchment paper. Place the treats into the fridge to harden for 10-15 minutes.
- To top with chocolate, place the chocolate chips into a heat-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in the coconut oil if desired.
- Remove the chilled peanut butter bars from the refrigerator. Pour the chocolate over cereal mixture and spread out with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
- Return the treats to the refrigerator and for 15-20 minutes to fully firm up before slicing.
- Remove from fridge and cut into squares.
Christine
Great way to cut down on the sugar! Love it, Kristen! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
Kristen Chidsey
You bet Christine!
swayam
Ditto here!!baby D is my constant helper in the kitchen.esp when I am baking or its something with eggs! These sound so good .. I am going to have to try this! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays
Kristen Chidsey
You bet!! My kids beg me to let them crack the eggs as well 🙂
Lisa Sharp
I'm allergic to peanuts but I bet sunflower seed butter would work with these! They sound delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
It would be great with sunflower butter!
Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
I could eat a pan of these treats myself!!
One of my all time favorites~
Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Kristen Chidsey
I may be able to eat 2 trays 😉
Catherine
Dear Kristen, what a fantastic idea to use honey and peanut butter to bind the krispies..I love your variation! These look wonderful. I used to love krispie treats more than my kids...still do! I have to try this next time. xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey
Trust me Catherine, these will be your new favorite!!!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Chocolate & peanut butter are always a winning combo! P.S. love the book analogy!
Kristen Chidsey
Winning combo for sure!!
Megan Keno
Ooo, what a delicious treat!
Kristen Chidsey
It is just that!
Kristen Chidsey
you bet!
Julia
These would be my son's favorite! I love the chocolate on top!
Kristen Chidsey
It was a hard treat to share for anyone 🙂
CatK
Rice Krispy treats are one of my all time favorite treats and I am always looking for new ways to elevate the flavors! Thanks for this great looking recipe!!
Kristen Chidsey
It is the best rice krispie treat I have ever had!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen)
I love ANYTHING that combines chocolate and peanut butter. It is such a classic combo, and can't be beat. I love this twist in combining the TWO classics of peanut butter cups and rice krispie treats. Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
It is a stellar combo 🙂
Stephanie
Mmmmmm. These treats could turn any day around!
Kristen Chidsey
You better believe it!
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite
I love everything chocolate, so if you add peanut butter and rice crispies, I think this is going to be delicious! I'm going to have to try it. My husband doesn't like peanut butter though, so maybe I'll substitute some almond butter or something! http://www.ourfoodieappetite.com/east-beach-farmers-market-norfolk-va/
Kristen Chidsey
Almond butter would work great!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
I'm definitely going to make these! Such a great idea.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Monique--you will love them!
Angela Barnard
What a wonderful healthy variation to one of my favorite desserts! Yummy!
Kristen Chidsey
Happy to deliver 🙂
Marye
This looks like a great twist on a childhood (and adulthood) favorite. These look so yummy!
Kristen Chidsey
They are awesome Marye 🙂
Sarah@bakingwithmom
Great recipe! I have helpers in my kitchen often. It makes baking fun. (Most of the time!) 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Ha! Yes, MOST of the time it is is fun. 🙂