Peanut butter rice krispie bars with chocolate frosting

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are gooey, chewy and perfect twist on the classic Rice Krispies. Made with marshmallows, peanut butter, and a thick layer of chocolate on top!

If you love easy recipes & peanut butter – then these peanut butter Rice Krispie treats are just the thing for you. It’s an easy, no-bake recipe that you can whip up in no time. And when there’s peanut butter & chocolate involved, you really can’t go wrong.

As a child, I absolutely loved Rice Krispie treats. Sometimes if I was lucky my Mom would make them for us after school and they’d still be warm, not quite set and all gooey by the time we got home. When I was in university, I made them in the microwave. I’d have a ball of sticky, crunchy, marshmallow deliciousness ready in 2 minutes. And it was the perfect comfort food for late-night study sessions.

These peanut butter Rice Krispies are chewy, peanut buttery, and ridiculously delicious with a layer of chocolate on top.

For ingredients, you’ll need:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows or 5 cups
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal (or whatever generic brand works too)

I prefer using mini marshmallows because they melt more easily – but if you only have large ones, 1 cup of mini marshmallows is equal to 8 large ones (so you’d need 40 total for the recipe). To use marshmallow cream, one 7 oz jar is equal to 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows.

Pro Tip: For extra gooey Rice Krispie Treats – only use 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies in this recipe.

I typically make these on the stovetop. But you can also use your microwave to melt together the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows.

To make peanut butter Rice Krispie treats in the microwave, here’s how:

1. Add the butter and marshmallows to a large heat-proof bowl.
2. Microwave for 1-minute intervals on medium power, stirring between each until they are both melted.
3. Stir in the peanut butter.
4. Then stir in the Rice Krispies.
5. Press into the pan & allow to harden.

Then a layer of delicious chocolate goes on top. It’s optional – but I don’t think you’ll get any complaints if you add the chocolate 🙂 N

Tips, Tricks & Common Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter? I don’t recommend it because the peanut butter can end up separating and then the bars won’t warden.

Can I use chunky peanut butter? Definitely – but I recommend using ¾ cups instead. I personally prefer the texture without the peanuts, but it’s up to you.

Can I freeze them? Absolutely. Place them in an airtight container with wax paper in between each layer of squares. Freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge before bringing to room temperature and serving.

Mine got too hard – what happened? If your rice krispie treats get too hard – that often means that the marshmallows started to burn. Next time, turn the burner to a lower heat setting and very slowly melt everything together. You can also try adding in a little less cereal – try 5 ¾ cups. If I end up with a batch that is too crunchy – I often warm them up for about 15 seconds in the microwave before enjoying.

My rice krispies didn’t stick together – what happened? Next time, try packing them down more firmly into the pan. Or if your kitchen is quite hot, you can let them firm up in the fridge.

Do not store Rice Krispie Treats in the fridge – they will get too hard!

If you love peanut butter no-bake treats, try these other favorites:

• Rocky Road Squares
• Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
• Confetti Squares

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are so easy to make, and the perfect recipe for your chocolate peanut butter cravings. Like a crispy, crunchy, chewy peanut butter cup!

Prep Time10 mins

Time to Harden2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 10 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: No Bake Recipes, Peanut Butter Recipes, Rice Krispie Treats

Servings: 18 squares

Calories: 168kcal

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 10 oz bag mini marshmallows about 5 cups
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal*
• 8 oz chocolate chips about 1 ⅓ cups
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

• Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray. 

• In a large saucepan melt the butter, mini marshmallows and peanut butter together over low heat while stirring gently.  

• Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies.

• Press the mixture into the pan (lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to avoid the mixture sticking to your hands).

• Add the chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) to a medium-sized heatproof bowl. Microwave for 45-second intervals on medium power (not high or standard), stirring in between each burst.

• Once almost melted, stir until smooth and stir in the vegetable oil.

• Pour the chocolate over the top of the bars and let harden at room temperature (about 2 hours).

• Cut into squares and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

For softer, gooier bars - only use 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies. 

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 728IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 3mg

Adapted from Kellogg’s