Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are a no-bake, marshmallow-free treat filled with rich peanut butter butter and naturally sweetened with honey. Add a layer of thick layer of chocolate for the ultimate peanut butter chocolate lover's treat.
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.
Notes
Storage: 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.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.Note on Coconut Oil: To help the chocolate layer harden, you can opt to stir in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil to the melted chocolate.