Want a new flavor? Try Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats, the OG Rice Krispie Treats Recipe recipe, or Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
I’m obsessed with Rice Krispie Treats—they bring back so many memories since my mom made them all the time when I was growing up.
I’ve shared a few versions that I love, but these rice krispie treats with peanut butter are my favorite. It’s probably because I’m a huge fan of peanut butter and chocolate, or maybe it’s the thick PB-chocolate topping. Either way, these are extra chewy, gooey, and packed with flavor. I truly can’t wait for you to try them!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe:
- Crisp rice cereal: Fresh cereal gives these bars the best crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt in the bars.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like flavor to the treats.
- Heavy whipping cream: Creates a creamy, rich base. Avoid milk or low-fat options; they won’t thicken the same.
- Creamy peanut butter: Go for a smooth (not natural) version so it mixes in better.
- Mini marshmallows: Fresh, soft marshmallows make the bars extra gooey and delicious.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a boost of flavor.
- Mini Reese’s cups: Adds extra peanut butter and chocolate goodness!
- Chocolate chips: Choose milk, semi-sweet, or dark. For less sweetness, go with semi-sweet or dark.
Quick Tip
If you can’t find Reese’s Minis, chopped Reese’s Miniatures (cut into quarters) work great.
How To Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Prep Pan: Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Caramel Mix: Melt butter, add brown sugar, then heavy cream. Boil for 1 minute.
- Mix Ins: Stir in peanut butter, marshmallows, and salt. Remove from heat; add vanilla.
- Combine: Add cereal, mix well. Stir in extra marshmallows, then mini Reese’s cups.
- Press: Transfer to pan, press down gently into an even layer.
- Topping: Microwave chocolate chips and peanut butter; spread over the bars.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then cut and serve.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh cereal and soft marshmallows for the best gooey treats.
- Watch the Heat: Don’t overcook the sugar mix, but don’t undercook it either. Too little boiling, and the treats won’t set properly. Too much boiling and they’ll be hard.
- Mix Fast: Work quickly when mixing the cereal to keep it from cooling too much.
- Press Lightly: Gently press the mix into the pan to keep the bars soft. Pressing too hard will make them denser.
- Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife, warmed under hot water, and make firm cuts through the bars.
Storage
What To Do With Leftover Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Best Fresh: These taste best the first day they’re made. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Freezing: Cut, wrap, and freeze individual bars in a resealable bag for up to three months.
More Dessert Bar Recipes:
- Blondies made with browned butter
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with a “secret” ingredient to make them extra chewy
- Homemade Protein Bars that taste like cookie dough
- Raspberry Bars with a buttery, crumble topping
- Carmelitas caramel, chocolate, oat bars
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are extra gooey, loaded with peanut butter cups, and topped with a rich chocolate-peanut butter layer—every bite is delicious!
Equipment
- Baking pan 9 x 9-inch
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Large pot
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 5 cups crisp rice cereal like Rice Krispies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 3/4 cup mini Reese’s cups see note 1
Topping
- 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips see note 2
- 2-1/2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper (or foil), leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a very large pot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until fully dissolved, about 1–2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, bring to a boil, and continue stirring constantly for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add in peanut butter, marshmallows, and salt. Stir until the marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract if using.
- Add the cereal to the pot and stir until fully coated. If using, stir in 1/2 cup marshmallows. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then gently fold in the mini Reese’s cups. They’ll get pretty melty.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Lightly spritz your hands with cooking spray and gently press the cereal mixture into an even layer. Avoid pressing too hard to keep the bars from becoming too dense.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Spread the chocolate-peanut butter mixture evenly over the bars.
- Chill the bars in the fridge for 30 minutes to set the chocolate. Remove from the fridge, let them come to room temperature, cut into bars, and serve. To cut, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and dried off, then make firm slices.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Use unwrapped Reese’s Minis (not miniatures).
Note 2: I prefer milk chocolate, but semi-sweet or dark chocolate can be used if you prefer a less sweet treat.
Tip: Don’t overcook the sugar mix, but don’t undercook it either. Too little boiling, and the treats won’t set properly. Too much boiling and they’ll be hard.
Storage: These bars are best enjoyed the same day they’re made. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. For freezing and thawing instructions, see the post.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 611kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Does the nutritional information say 611
Calories?? Each or the entire amount of servings?
That’s per serving, I hope this helps! Thanks Jenny! 🙂
lol rice krispies are my mom’s thing too! She always just keeps it classic but I LOVE how these pb cup ones look!!! I think I may need to dethrone her with these 😛
these look insane! I don’t think I’ll ever look at a regular rice krispie bar the same again after seeing it with Peanut Butter and Chocolate! 😉
Wow this looks very good.
Thank you so much Olivia!