Gooey, sweet, crispy, and chewy peanut butter rice krispie treats are as simple to make as the original, but with a nutty twist! Made with just 4 ingredients, these sweet treats are a must-make simply just because you can!
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Let’s Get Nuts!
I love taking the best rice krispie treats recipe, which is the classic, buttery marshmallow cereal treat, and putting a twist on it to come up with something new and exciting every time.
The classic is always a hit, but it’s a whole other thing when you do something like bring on the liquid gold and make brown butter rice krispie treats!
This time we’re adding creamy, nutty, peanut butter to make a batch of chewy, sweet, and ooey-gooey peanut butter rice krispie treats.
They’re as easy to make as the original and just as delicious! They make a great snack or dessert, and to pack up individually in lunch boxes or to take on road trips or camping.
In fact, it’s a no-bake treat, so you can really make them any time you want!
Why This Recipe Works
- Everyone loves them. I have never met anyone who doesn’t love rice krispies treats of any kind!
- Only 4 ingredients. It’s everything that’s in a rice krispie treat but with the addition of peanut butter.
- Satisfies your sweet tooth. This no-bake treat can be made in minutes. As long as you can wait for it to set, you’ve got a whole batch to snack on. Sweet, gooey, nutty, and crispy treats for days!
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Salted butter: Using salted butter balances the sweetness. I love having that subtle salty and sweet effect. Unsalted butter works too if that’s what you prefer using.
- Mini marshmallows: You’ll need 1-16 oz bag of mini marshmallows. This works out to about 9-10 cups. If you have regular marshmallows it works out to about 40 pieces.
- Creamy peanut butter: The creamy texture is much easier to work with than the crunchy kind. I also prefer to use regular over natural, it holds much better because the oil doesn’t separate.
- Rice Krispies cereal: Use about half the box or 6 cups of cereal.
Variations
In the same way, you can turn classic Rice Krispies into something a little different, you can absolutely do that with rice krispies treats with peanut butter too!
- Add in chocolate chips or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats. You could also dunk each square into melted chocolate and let it set. Or perhaps do a layer of chocolate ganache, similar to my easy Scotcheroos recipe.
- For a tasty flavor enhancer add some vanilla extract to your marshmallow mixture.
- If you want a little more of the sweet and salty combination, finish them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- You can also try this recipe with a different nut butter or a different crispy rice cereal. Try cashew butter or almond butter, and whatever rice cereal you prefer.
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Melt butter and peanut butter. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Once melted, add some of the marshmallows and cook until softened. Then, stir in some of the nut butter until everything is melted.
- Mix in cereal. Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the cereal. Use a rubber spatula for this as it becomes stickier, it’ll prevent it from sticking as you stir. Add remaining marshmallows and continue stirring until all of the cereal is completely coated.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the remaining peanut butter for 15 seconds. Drizzle it over the top of the cereal mixture. Stir gently, but keep some thicker swirls visible. You don’t need it all fully incorporated.
- Assemble and cool. Transfer the mixture to a prepared 9×9 baking dish and spread it out into an even layer, using a spatula coated in butter or wax paper. Allow it to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to grease your dish. A prepared pan will help prevent the rice krispie treats from sticking.
- Remove from heat. It’s important to remove the pot from the heat as soon as the mixture has melted. You don’t want it to burn.
- An even surface. You can also spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and use your fingertips to press down to level it out. If you can handle butter hands, it’s better for flavor!
- Clean cuts. Use a plastic knife if you have one to cut them into squares. They glide right through each slice without anything sticking to them.
- Keep them moist. When storing them, place a piece of fresh bread in the container as well. The treats will absorb moisture from the bread. Seriously, give it a try!
Recipe FAQs
There are a couple of reasons for this. If they are hard early on it usually means you turned the heat too high on the stove. It’s best to melt everything over medium-low heat.
The other reason is not covering them when storing them. They will become stale if you do not keep a lid on them.
You can completely omit the marshmallows if you’d like and use only the nut butter. Of course, they won’t have that gooey, sweetness to them, but if you’re looking for something a little healthier, using nut butter to hold the cereal together is the way to go.
They are as long as the marshmallows and rice cereal are certified gluten-free. Most commercially sold bags of marshmallow are, but to be sure, look at the label. Rice cereal may contain malt, which comes from barley and may contain gluten. Again, look at the label to determine what is right for you.
Storing Cereal Treats
Keep leftover peanut butter rice krispie treats stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To freeze them, wrap individual pieces tightly in saran wrap or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Place them in a freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Thaw to room temperature and enjoy!
Need more peanut butter recipes? Try this peanut butter fudge, no bake peanut butter bars or peanut butter M&M cookies!
More Easy Cereal Treats
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Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 (16-ounce) bag mini marshmallows , divided (about 9-10 cups)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter , divided
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (about 1/2 a box)
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with foil and grease with butter or spray with nonstick spray.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add 7 cups marshmallows and cook until softened. Stir in 1/4 cup peanut butter until completely melted.
- Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the cereal and remaining 2 to 3 cups marshmallows until the cereal is evenly coated.
- In a small bowl, add the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter. Microwave 15 seconds. Drizzle over the top of the cereal mixture and stir gently, keeping some thicker swirls of peanut butter visible.
- Transfer to the baking dish. Using a spoon coated in butter or wax paper, evenly press the mixture down to make compact and create a level surface.
- Let cool. If possible, use a plastic knife to cut for easier cutting.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Bars, Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Snacks, Stovetop, Super Bowl, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
They’re only made with 4 ingredients, so easy to make and turned out super chewy and yummy!
These are literally the best thing to happen to my life. I LOVE THEM!!!
I think peanut butter makes almost anything better. These krispie treats are proof!