Take your favorite childhood treat to a whole new level with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats! The addition of creamy peanut butter, a chocolate top layer, and a sprinkle of salt make these handheld treats irresistible!
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats remind me of a childhood dessert, like my Air Fryer Pop Tarts, but they are updated with chocolate and a sprinkle of flaked sea salt. You are getting crunchy, sweet, salty, and gooey all in one little square. Oh, and they are no-bake!
If you love Rice cereal treats as much as I do, check out some of my other variations like Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats, Ube Rice Krispie Treats, and Rice Krispie Treat Stars.
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
- Creamy Peanut Butter - Peanut butter is the star of the show. You can also use chunky peanut butter for extra texture in your treats.
- Crispy Rice Cereal - You can use name-brand or generic rice cereal for these treats, it won't make a difference in the final dessert.
- Chocolate Bark - You can use chocolate bark (also called almond bark) or chocolate chips for the chocolate coating on top of the treats. I used semi-sweet chocolate for mine, however, you can use dark chocolate or milk chocolate as well.
- Flaked Sea Salt - Adding flaked sea salt to the top of these treats enhances the flavors and makes them a little more sophisticated. This step is optional, but highly recommended.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make These Easy No-Bake Bars
Coat a pan with butter. Place a piece of parchment paper across the bottom and up the side to create a sling. This will make it easier to remove the treats once they are set.
Add the peanut butter and butter to a large pot over medium-high heat, constantly stirring while they melt together. Turn down the heat to medium, add the marshmallows, and continue to stir until melted together.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the rice cereal. Quickly stir everything together to coat all of the cereal. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Once cool enough to touch, gently press down on the top of the mixture to compact the treats.
While the treats are cooling, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds then remove it to stir. Continue to melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted.
Carefully pour the melted chocolate on top of the treats and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the top with salt and allow the bars to cool for 2 hours.
Expert Tips for This Recipe
- To easily cut these treats into perfect squares, soak your knife in hot water before slicing. The knife will run right through the treats.
- I used a deep pot when making these treats, it helps keep the mess down and everything in the pan.
- I also used an 8x10 deep baking dish so that I had nice thick treats. A 9x13 pan would work as well but add 4 more ounces of chocolate.
- As soon as you put the cereal mixture into the pan, soak the pot in hot water to make cleaning up easier.
- Put a little butter on your hands before pressing the treats down into the pan to prevent stickiness.
- Make a sling out of parchment paper to remove the bars more easily. My photo does not show this and it was difficult to remove them.
- You can chill these in the fridge once they cool for a nice chilled treat.
- Store any leftover treats in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
More No-Bake Recipes
If you get a chance to make these Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus a little more for the pan)
- 12 ounces marshmallows (full-size or mini)
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
- 6 ounces chocolate bark or chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate)
- 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Coat a 10x8 or 9×13 pan with butter. Place a piece of parchment paper across the bottom and up the side to create a sling. This will make it easier to remove the treats once they are set.
- Add the peanut butter and butter to a large pot over medium-high heat, constantly stirring while they melt together.
- Once the peanut butter and butter are fully melted and smooth, turn down the heat to medium, add the marshmallows, and continue to stir. The marshmallows will fully melt into the mixture, this takes a few minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the rice cereal. Quickly stir everything together to coat all of the cereal. You must work quickly because the mixture will start to harden as it cools.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Once cool enough to touch, gently press down on the top of the mixture to compact the treats. You can also use the bottom of a cup.
- While the treats are cooling, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, remove from the microwave and give it a stir. Continue to melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted, this should only take another 60-90 seconds.
- Carefully pour the melted chocolate on top of the treats and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the top with salt and allow the bars to cool for a minimum of 1 hour, 2 is best to allow the chocolate to set.
- When ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan and cut them into squares. Sprinkle the tops with a little more salt if desired and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I used a deep pot when making these, it helps keep the mess down and everything in the pan.
- I also used an 8x10 deep baking dish so that I had nice thick treats. A 9x13 pan would work as well but add 4 more ounces of chocolate.
- As soon as you put the cereal mixture into the pan, soak the pot in hot water to make cleaning up easier.
- Put a little butter on your hands before pressing the treats down into the pan to prevent stickiness.
- Make a sling out of parchment paper to remove the bars easier. My photo does not show this and it was difficult to remove them.
- You can chill these in the fridge once they cool for a nice chilled treat.
- Store any leftover treats in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Dannii says
I love anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter and these were amazing. SO easy to make too.
Emily says
I'm right there with you, thanks for trying these!
Andrea says
My favorite flavor combination, peanut butter and chocolate. Love that these are super easy to make and delicious!
Emily says
You can never go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate.😁
Carrie Robinson says
Oh wow! I just love the chocolate and peanut butter combo, so these are right up my alley. Yum! 🙂
Janessa says
Chocolate and peanut butter- yes please!! These look amazing.
Emily says
Ooooh yeah! Enjoy!
Katie says
Did you use natural peanut butter or regular peanut butter to make these? Thanks!
Emily says
I used regular peanut butter. If you want to use natural, make sure it has been stirred well and note that the treats may turn out softer than if using regular peanut butter. Enjoy!
Gwynn says
OMG! these are my new favorite rice krispy treats! I'm loving the peanut butter and chocolate flavor!
Emily says
So glad to hear it. Thanks for trying the recipe.😁
Shelby says
Drooling while I made these! They're a classic flavor combo and I loved them!
Emily says
Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic! Thanks for trying the recipe!😊
Natalie says
Peanut butter and chocolate, are my kids' favorite combinations for dessert. Thank you for a delicious recipe!
Emily says
Thanks, Natalie! My son and his friends loved these too.
nancy says
These are so simple but such a great flavour combo!
Emily says
Thank you! I totally agree 😄
Katie says
These are incredible! Perfectly crunchy and chewy!
Emily says
I'm so glad you liked them!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I love no bake desserts and my kids are crazy for rice krispie treats. Definitely on our list to make over summer break!
Mallory says
These are seriously amazing! I will definitely be making them again soon!
Emily says
Thanks, Mallory, they are kind of addicting, right?
Holly says
So good with dark chocolate! These were gone in a day at my house!
Emily says
The same thing happens at my house, they are gone in no time. Thanks for trying them out!
Nicola says
Such an easy to make and tasty treat! peanut butter chocolate combo is such a winner!
Emily says
Thanks, Nicola. You really can't go wrong with Peanut Butter and Chocolate.