Topped with a luscious peanut butter chocolate drizzle and filled with rich peanut butter and gooey marshmallows, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are reminiscent of a fluffernutter sandwich and oh-so-delicious.
We enjoy taking our Classic Rice Krispie Treat recipe and putting a spin on it like this Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats recipe. Each bite is crunchy, chewy, and the perfect marriage between our favorite candy bar and our favorite cereal treat.
Why We Love These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars
Our Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is ready in minutes and uses the microwave for convenience. Everyone knows the classic, but this fun twist is different and will surprise your guests with their first bite. Peanut butter and chocolate go together with marshmallows to make a gooey concoction that we crave.
Just like our Monster Rice Krispie Treats and these adorable Snowman Rice Krispie Treats, kids will love helping make these Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
- Rice Krispies Cereal. The generic is fine in this case, and you can also use the chocolate variety.
- Mini Marshmallows. You can use the store brand if you need to, but sometimes I find that generic brands have more anti-caking powder than the big brand name, which can change the texture and flavor of the recipe.
- Peanut Butter Chips. This ingredient is what gives the classic cereal treats a rich peanut butter flavor. The chips are easier to use than the creamy peanut butter that you see in similar recipes.
- Butter. We prefer to use real peanut butter. Salted or unsalted doesn’t matter for this recipe. We don’t recommend natural peanut butter because it can separate.
- Peanut Butter Cups. You will need to chop these up. Half will be used for the filling and the other half will be used in the drizzled topping. Oh my.
How do You Make Rice Krispy Peanut Butter Treats
Please note, that the printable recipe card has ingredient quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
I prefer the microwave method but have included stovetop directions on the recipe card in case you need them.
Prepare the pan.
Line your pan with waxed paper and a spritz of non-stick spray.
Microwave the ingredients.
First, microwave the butter and peanut butter morsels. Once those are microwaved according to the instructions on the recipe card, add the marshmallows and continue.
Add cereal and candy.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and add the rice krispie cereal and chopped peanut butter cups.
Fill the pan.
Dump the mixture into your prepared pan and gently press it down with wax paper, the butter wrapper, or a buttered spatula until it is mostly smooth.
Add the drizzle.
Melt the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter cups, and when smooth, drizzle over the peanut butter rice krispie treats using a piping bag or reclosable plastic bag.
Substitutions, Additions, and Variations
- Try a different cereal such as Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles.
- Add chocolate chips. More chocolate is a lovely thing.
- Instead of making a drizzle, top your peanut butter rice krispie bars with sprinkles like we did with our Hershey Kiss Cookies without peanut butter!
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes rice crispy treats to get hard?
Heat can be the culprit here. I melt my marshmallows and butter together in the microwave in 30-second to 1-minute intervals stirring after each interval.
Also, gently press the Rice Krispie treats cereal ingredients in the pan. If pressed too firmly they’ll be dense instead of soft and gooey.
How do you keep Rice Krispies from sticking together?
Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray. When you press the ingredients into the pan, either spray your fingers or put a piece of waxed paper that’s been sprayed over the ingredients and press them into the pan.
How far in advance can I make Rice Krispie Treats?
They’re best the day they’re made. However, if stored correctly, they will keep up to 3 days.
How long should Rice Krispie Treats Cool before cutting?
Allow the Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats to cool completely in the pan uncovered before you cut them.
How To Store Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Best way to store peanut butter rice crispy treats
Airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend refrigerating or freezing. The Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats can become soggy from moisture or dry out.
Tips for the Perfect Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
- Adding too much cereal will create a drier Rice Krispie bar.
- Mix the melted marshmallow mixture and the crispy rice cereal together in a separate bowl using a wooden spoon. This makes combining the ingredients easier and equal.
- Mixing the ingredients while still warm will make pressing it into the serving dish easier. This will help keep the crispy rice cereal soft and allow it to cool without drying out.
- Cool the melted chocolate before adding it to a piping bag. Or, chocolate can be drizzled immediately by dipping the tines of a fork into the chocolate and whisking it over the peanut butter rice krispie treats.
If you love rice crispy bars as much as we do, take a look at these adorable Halloween Rice Krispie Treat recipes. If you’re still craving peanut butter, our Soft Peanut Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Balls, Peanut Butter Bundt Cake or Peanut Butter Fudge.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
- 10 oz miniature marshmallows
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup peanut butter cups chopped and divided
Instructions
- Prepare a 13 x 9 baking sheet with wax paper and a spritz of non-stick cooking spray.
Microwave method
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, and peanut butter morsels. Heat for 30 seconds intervals on high, stirring between each interval. When just about melted, add the marshmallows. Return the bowl to the microwave and continue heating at 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until just about melted. Stir the mixture vigorously allowing the residual heat to continue melting.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and add enough rice krispie cereal until the mixture just sticks together. Then, add ¼ cup of chopped peanut butter cups and stir until combined.
Stovetop
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. When the butter is melted, add the marshmallows and peanut butter morsels, stirring constantly until melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture into a large bowl. Stir in just enough of the rice krispy cereal to make it stick together. Add ¼ cup chopped Peanut Butter Cups and stir until combined.
- Using a buttered spatula or greased wax paper evenly press the mixture into the prepared serving dish.
- Melt the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter cups and when smooth, drizzel over the peanut butter rice krispie treats using a piping bag or reclosable plastic bag.
Notes
- *Adding too much cereal will create a drier Rice Krispie bar.
- I choose to mix the melted marshmallow mixture and the rice crispy cereal together in a separate bowl. This makes combing the ingredients together easier and equally.
- By the time it’s mixed the ingredients have cooled somewhat before being pressed into the serving dish. This will help keep the rice crispy cereal soft and allow them to cool without drying out.
- Cool the melted chocolate before adding it to a piping bag. Or, chocolate can be drizzled immediately by dipping the tines of a fork into the chocolate and whisking it over the peanut butter rice krispie treats.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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