Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Add peanut butter and a layer of chocolate on top, and you'll have these amazing peanut butter Rice Krispie treats to add to your afternoon snack rotation.

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Table of Contents

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
How To Serve
Storing Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Squares
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
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These delicious peanut butter Rice Krispie treats will knock your socks off! We take classic Rice Krispie squares to the next level by adding creamy peanut butter to the mixture and topping the squares off with a layer of rich and decadent chocolate.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats raw ingredients that are labeled

These treats are a combination of two classic treats that come together in a perfectly balanced flavor.

The peanut butter adds a rich and creamy element to the crispy texture of the Rice Krispies, making for a treat that truly satisfies your sweet tooth.

Adding a layer of chocolate to the top is a brilliant idea and makes these already perfect snacks even better.

You’ll need:

5 tablespoons of salted butter, room temperature, divided
⅔ cup of creamy peanut butter (I used the Peter Pan brand)
10-ounce bag of marshmallows
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal
2 cups of milk chocolate chips (approximately 1½ (11.5-ounce) bags)

Substitutions And Additions

BUTTER: If you do not keep salted butter on hand in your kitchen, you can add ½ teaspoon of salt to the melted marshmallow mixture.

The salt helps to balance the sweetness of the marshmallows.

PEANUT BUTTER: I do not suggest using fresh or natural peanut butter for this recipe as they tend to have a lot of excess peanut oil. This extra oil will alter the texture of your Rice Krispie treats.

I used the Peter Pan brand, but your favorite standard brand will work well. You can even use chunky peanut butter for a fun texture if you desire.

CHOCOLATE: I like the combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter for this easy recipe, but you can certainly substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips instead if that is your preference.

How To Make This Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

These classic treats come together with the easy combination of Rice Krispies, peanut butter, butter, and marshmallows. Once pressed into your pan, you will add a layer of rich, decadent chocolate on top.

Follow our directions below to whip up a batch.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can cut this recipe in half and make them in an 8×8 square pan if this recipe makes too many. That is never the issue in my house, so I often will double the recipe. These keep great in the refrigerator and, when packed in your child’s lunch, will be perfectly chewy and delicious by the time they get to eat them.

STEP ONE: Butter a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the salted butter. Set aside.

STEP TWO: In a large sauce pot on medium-low heat, melt the remaining four tablespoons of salted butter, peanut butter, and marshmallows.

Stir often to avoid burning the melted marshmallows. This will take about three to five minutes.

salted butter peanut butter and marshmallows stirred in a pan

STEP THREE: Remove the large pot from the heat and stir the vanilla extract and Rice Krispie cereal into the melted marshmallow and peanut butter mixture.

vanilla extract and rice krispie cereal added to the marshmallow mixture and stirred in a pot

STEP FOUR: Stir to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.

PRO TIP:

You can spray your hands, spatula, or wooden spoon with a little bit of cooking spray so that the gooey mixture doesn’t stick when you are mixing it.

STEP FIVE: Spread the peanut butter Rice Krispie mixture into the prepared pan and gently press it into an even layer.

Do not pack the mixture into the dish too tightly. This will ensure that your Rice Krispie treats are light and chewy.

peanut butter rice krispie mixture spread into the baking dish

STEP SIX: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips for one minute at 50% power, stir, and heat in additional 30-second increments until completely melted.

Stir the melted chocolate until completely smooth. Be sure not to overheat the milk chocolate chips, or they will seize up and be unusable.

PRO TIP:

When melting your chocolate chips, be very careful not to overheat them in the microwave. If your microwave has a “melt” preset, then you can use that according to your microwave’s manual. You can also melt them on the stovetop in a small saucepan on medium-low heat or in a double boiler. Use the method that works best for you.

STEP SEVEN: Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the dish of peanut butter Rice Krispies.

melted chocolate spread over the rice krispies

STEP EIGHT: Allow the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats to chill for 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the chocolate to firm up before slicing and serving.

PRO TIP:

Once the chocolate layer has firmed up, you can slice your peanut butter Rice Krispies into single servings and store them in a lidded rectangular container. I would suggest you place a piece of parchment paper between the layers of Rice Krispie treats to avoid them from sticking to each other.

let Rice Krispies firm up before serving

How To Serve

Whip up a batch of these ooey-gooey treats for all the peanut butter lovers in your life.

They would make a delicious afternoon snack along with a creamy chocolate milkshake or Wendy’s Frosty.

You could also whip up a batch of homemade whipped cream and dollop it on top or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent twist.

Fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries or bananas, would provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, sweet treat.

Our original Rice Krispie treats are always a winner, while our Fruity Pebbles treats are a fun twist on the classic.

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Storing Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Squares

Here’s how to store your peanut butter Rice Krispie treats for optimal taste and texture.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, you can absolutely make these treats in advance.

Simply prepare the recipe as directed, let the treats cool completely, and then cut them into squares or bars.

Once they’ve cooled and set, store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.

Keep them at room temperature for up to three to four days, and you’ll have a convenient snack or dessert on hand whenever you crave a sweet treat.

ON THE COUNTER: You can store the Rice Krispie treats with peanut butter in a covered container on the counter for up to four days for the freshest texture.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

If you are storing your easy peanut butter Rice Krispie treats in the refrigerator, then I would allow them to come to room temperature before serving so that their texture is chewy and not hard.

IN THE FREEZER: I do not recommend freezing this peanut butter Rice Krispie treat recipe.

overhead shot of Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats on a wooden board with some krispies split in half

Why We Love This Recipe

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR COMBO: The combination of creamy peanut butter and gooey marshmallows creates an irresistible sweet and nutty flavor profile. It’s a delightful twist on the classic Rice Krispie Treats that peanut butter lovers will swoon over.

CHEWY TEXTURE: These treats strike the perfect balance between chewy and gooey. The Rice Krispies add a satisfying crunch, while the marshmallows and peanut butter create a luscious, sticky texture that keeps you coming back for more.

KID FRIENDLY: Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are universally loved. They’re a hit with kids and adults alike, making them an excellent choice for family gatherings, bake sales, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.

A handful of simple ingredients elevates a classic treat to the next level of deliciousness. These peanut butter Rice Krispie treats include the addition of peanut butter and decadent chocolate to make this a confection that no one will be able to resist.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are my peanut butter Rice Krispie bars hard?

Getting the marshmallow and butter mixture too hot can lead to your peanut butter chocolate Rice Krispie treats getting too hard. Also, if you don’t use fresh marshmallows or butter, it can impact your treats.

How do you keep homemade Rice Krispies treats from sticking together?

Store any leftover chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container or bag in between sheets of wax paper to help keep each square from sticking to the others.

How do I mix the marshmallows and cereal without it sticking to everything?

You can dampen your hands and spatula with water or spray both with cooking spray to help avoid the mixture sticking to you.

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Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

5 from 27 votes

Add peanut butter and a layer of chocolate on top, and you'll have these amazing peanut butter Rice Krispie treats to add to your afternoon snack rotation.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

5 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature, divided
⅔ cup creamy peanut butter, I used Peter Pan brand
10 ounce bag marshmallows
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
2 cups milk chocolate chips, approximately 1½ (11.5-ounce bags)

Instructions

Butter a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the salted butter. Set aside.
In a large sauce pot on medium-low heat, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of salted butter, peanut butter, and marshmallows. Stir often to avoid burning the melted marshmallows. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove the large pot from the heat and stir the vanilla extract and rice Krispie cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture.
Stir to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
Spread the peanut butter Rice Krispie mixture into the prepared dish and gently press it into an even layer. Do not pack the mixture into the dish too tightly. This will ensure that your rice Krispie treats are light and chewy.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips for 1 minute at 50% power, stir and heat in additional 30-second increments until completely melted. Stir the melted chocolate until completely smooth. Be sure not to overheat the milk chocolate chips, or they will seize up and be unusable.
Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the dish of peanut butter rice Krispies.
Allow the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats to chill for 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the chocolate to firm up before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can cut this recipe in half and make them in an 8×8 square pan if this recipe makes too many. That is never the issue in my house, so I often will double the recipe. These keep great in the refrigerator and, when packed in your child’s lunch, will be perfectly chewy and delicious by the time they get to eat them.
You can spray your hands, spatula, or wooden spoon with a little bit of cooking spray so that the gooey mixture doesn’t stick when you are mixing it.
When melting your chocolate chips, be very careful not to overheat them in the microwave. If your microwave has a “melt” preset, then you can use that according to your microwave’s manual. You can also melt them on the stovetop in a small saucepan on medium-low heat or in a double boiler. Use the method that works best for you.
Once the chocolate layer has firmed up, you can slice your peanut butter Rice Krispies into single servings and store them in a lidded rectangular container. I would suggest you place a piece of parchment paper between the layers of Rice Krispie treats to avoid them from sticking to each other.

Nutrition

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Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

How To Serve

Peeps Rice Krispie Squares

Ranch Chex Mix

Storing Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Squares

Why We Love This Recipe

More Recipes You’ll Love