Let's be honest, peanut butter rice krispie treats are one of those desserts that make you feel like a kid again, even if you're sneaking them after the kids go to bed. They're chewy, peanut-buttery perfection...and if you add a layer of chocolate on top? Chef's kiss.
Join 500+ cozy folks for weekly recipes, crafts & good vibes - from my home to yours.
When you sign up, I'll send you the Cozy Weekend Starter Pack-a free PDF with 3 recipes, 3 crafts, & cozy weekend vibes.
Jump to:
The peanut butter takes regular rice krispie treats from good to can't-stop-eating-them and you keep going back for "just one more." These come together in about 10 minutes, which is both convenient and a little dangerous - and I'll walk you through both stovetop and microwave instructions so you can make them however you like.
They're the ultimate last-minute snack or dessert: no oven, no fancy equipment, no reason not to make them on the regular. You can whip up a batch while dinner's in the oven and have them ready to slice before you can say "who's turn is it to wash dishes tonight?"
If you're as peanut butter obsessed as I am, you'll also love my soft peanut butter blossom cookies (when you're in the mood to bake). Or maybe go old-school and make a pan of old fashioned peanut butter fudge or nut brittle - which are also dangerously good. And when that chocolate craving hits? My easy, peasy 3-ingredient peanut butter cups are basically DIY Reese's.
๐ Snap, crackle, pop history
Rice krispie treats have been around since 1939, when two clever young women in the Kellogg's test kitchen whipped them up as a fundraiser for the Camp Fire Girls. What started as a simple cereal and marshmallow combo quickly became a bake sale staple, an after-school legend, and a lunchbox favorite - basically the original no-bake dessert, long before Pinterest even existed.
๐งพ Ingredients
- Butter
- Mini marshmallows
- Vanilla extract
- Creamy peanut butter
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Chocolate chips (optional)
- Vegetable oil (optional)
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
โญ Ingredient notes
- Butter - Use salted or unsalted - either works, but salted gives a little extra flavor punch.
- Mini marshmallows - The key to chewy, gooey treats. Regular size marshmallows work too, you'll just need to melt them a bit longer.
- Vanilla extract - Just a splash to round out the flavor and make everything smell irresistible.
- Chocolate chips + vegetable oil (optional) - Melted together, they make a smooth, glossy topping that takes these treats to the next level.
- Flaky sea salt (optional) - A tiny sprinkle on top adds a subtle salty crunch that really makes the chocolate and peanut butter pop.
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.
๐ฅฃ Stovetop peanut butter rice krispie treats
In a large saucepan, over low to medium heat, melt the butter just until it's bubbly and golden.
Next, stir in the marshmallows and vanilla extract. Stir for a minute or so, until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. If you're using regular-size marshmallows, give them a little extra time.
Now mix in the creamy peanut butter until everything is silky and combined. It smells amazing at this point - you've been warned.
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the rice krispies. Gently fold in the cereal until every piece is coated. Work fast, the mixture sets quickly.
Transfer the mixture to a greased (or parchment lined) 9 x 13 pan. Use a spatula or a piece of wax paper to press everything down evenly.
Let set at room temperature for a few minutes (don't worry, it doesn't take long). Then cut into squares and enjoy!
โจ๏ธ Microwave peanut butter rice krispie treats
In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, vanilla extract, and marshmallows. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
Stir in the creamy peanut butter until everything is smooth and glossy.
Finally, fold in the rice krispies cereal until every piece is coated - work fast, it sets quickly.
Now press the mixture into a greased (or parchment lined) 9 x 13 baking dish and let set for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
๐ซ Optional chocolate topping
Melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a double boiler or in the microwave at 30-second intervals until melted and smooth. Spread the chocolate over the top of the treats, let set at room temperature (or even faster in the fridge for a few minutes) and enjoy!
If you're feeling extra fancy, sprinkle just a little flaky sea salt on top for a perfect sweet-and-salty pop of flavor.
๐ซ Variations and mix-ins
- ๐ซ Double chocolate - Stir in mini chocolate chips with the cereal for an extra chocolatey punch.
- ๐ฅ Extra nutty - Use crunchy peanut butter, or stir in chopped peanuts, cashews, or any other nut you like, for even more nutty flavor.
- ๐ฏ Honey twist - Swap 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for honey, to add a subtle, natural sweetness.
- ๐ง Sweet & salty - Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate topping for an irresistible sweet-salty combo.
- ๐ Party time - Mix in colorful sprinkles with the cereal - instant fun that the kids will love!
- ๐ช Cookie crunch - Add some crumbled cookies or Oreos to the mixure for a sweet tooth upgrade.
- ๐ฅ Nut butter swap - Use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter.
๐งบ Storage
Kept in an airtight container, these peanut butter rice krispie treats will stay delicious on the counter for several days.
Want to make them ahead of time? Wrap individually and freeze for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy.
โ FAQ
Yes, you can, but the oil separation can make the treats a little greasy and harder to set. Classic creamy peanut butter works best.
There most certainly are! For a dairy-free option, swap the butter for a vegan alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips if you want the topping. For gluten-free treats, make sure you use gluten-free crispy rice cereal.
What a great idea! Just press the treat mixture into a larger pan, so they're thinner, and cut into small bite-size morsels. Or use a mini muffin tin!
That's fine. Press the rice krispie treat mixture into whatever size pan you have handy. Just keep in mind that in a smaller pan, the treats will be thicker, and vice versa.
Do you love sweet treats as much as I do? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes:
- Soft Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
- 3-Ingredient Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
- Quick & Easy Nut Brittle
- Chocolate Coconut Clusters (Mounds Copycat)
- Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Copycat Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies
- Brownie Blondies
Did you make these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats? Let us know in the comments below!
๐ Recipe
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยฝ cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional)
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Stovetop Rice Krispie Treats
- Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish or line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to lift out the treats later.
- In a large saucepan, over low to medium heat, melt the butter just until it's bubbly and golden.3 Tablespoons butter
- Next, stir in the marshmallows and vanilla extract. Stir for a minute or so, until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. If you're using regular-size marshmallows, give them a little extra time.10 ounces mini marshmallowsยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Now mix in the creamy peanut butter until everything is silky and combined.ยฝ cup creamy peanut butter
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the rice krispies. Gently fold in the cereal until every piece is coated. Work fast, the mixture sets quickly.6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Transfer the mixture to a greased (or parchment lined) 9 x 13 pan. Use a spatula or a piece of wax paper to press everything down evenly.
- Let set at room temperature for a few minutes (don't worry, it doesn't take long). Then cut into squares and enjoy!
Microwave Rice Krispie Treats
- Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish or line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to lift out the treats later.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, vanilla extract, and marshmallows. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.3 Tablespoons butterยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract10 ounces mini marshmallows
- Stir in the creamy peanut butter until everything is smooth and glossy.ยฝ cup creamy peanut butter
- Finally, fold in the rice krispies cereal until every piece is coated - work fast, it sets quickly.6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Now press the mixture into a greased (or parchment lined) 9 x 13 baking dish and let set for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
Optional Chocolate Topping
- Melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a double boiler or in the microwave at 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.1 cup chocolate chips (optional)1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional)
- Spread the chocolate over the top of the treats.
- Let set at room temperature (or even faster in the fridge for a few minutes) and enjoy!
- If you're feeling extra fancy, sprinkle just a little flaky sea salt on top for a perfect sweet-and-salty pop of flavor. Enjoy!Flaky sea salt (optional)
Notes
- ๐ซย Double chocolate -ย Stir in mini chocolate chips with the cereal for an extra chocolatey punch.
- ๐ฅย Extra nutty -ย Use crunchy peanut butter, or stir in chopped peanuts, cashews, or any other nut you like, for even more nutty flavor.
- ๐ฏย Honey twist -ย Swap 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for honey, to add a subtle, natural sweetness.
- ๐งย Sweet & salty -ย Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate topping for an irresistible sweet-salty combo.
- ๐ย Party time -ย Mix in colorful sprinkles with the cereal - instant fun that the kids will love!
- ๐ชย Cookie crunch -ย Add some crumbled cookies or Oreos to the mixure for a sweet tooth upgrade.
- ๐ฅย Nut butter swap -ย Use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter.
Leave a Reply