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These peanut butter rice krispie treats are a peanut butter lover’s dream! This rice krispie treats recipe has double the peanut butter with creamy peanut butter and peanut butter chips stirred into the marshmallow cereal mixture. And the best part is they take about 10 minutes to prepare and are an easy no bake treat made on the stovetop.
I am such a sucker for rice krispie treats. Maybe it’s because they are so darn easy to make? I don’t need to turn the oven on? Maybe because they are also so friggin delicious? Or maybe it’s all of the above.
So I started dreaming up a delicious twist on the classic rice krispie treats when my brain went to a natural pairing with marshmallow….peanut butter. I mean peanut butter and fluff – hello classic sandwich I ate as a kid. Ok maybe as an adult too.
I knew I wanted these packed full of peanut butter flavor so I decided that stirring in peanut butter wasn’t enough. I tried them with the addition of peanut butter chips and it made all the difference. This recipe starts with melting peanut butter and butter together on the stovetop. And then adding in the marshmallows.
I like to use mini marshmallows. Now hear me out…mini marshmallows are way better than using big ones. Here’s my logic: mini marshmallows means I get pockets of unmelted marshmallows throughout each bite. I use two bags of miniature marshmallows and reserve some to stir in with the rice krispies.
And my secret to the best rice krispie treats ever is to add a little vanilla extract. It really amps up the vanilla flavor of the marshmallows. I’m telling you don’t skip the vanilla!
Why You Will Love These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Made on the stovetop – As with any rice krispie treat recipe, these are no bake and made on the stovetop making them a perfect no bake treat for summer!
- Takes minutes to prepare – This peanut butter rice krispie treat takes about 10 minutes to prepare on the stovetop and make. Who doesn’t love a delicious 10-minute dessert?
- Easy dessert to bring parties with – During the summertime, I love easy portable desserts to bring parties and peanut butter rice krispie treats are definitely that.
Pantry Staple Ingredients Needed
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter but if you use salted butter I would omit the salt.
- Peanut butter – I used smooth peanut butter but I think a chunky would work just fine! And I haven’t used an all natural peanut butter (the kind you need to stir) and can’t say how it would work due to the extra oil content.
- Marshmallows – I use two bags of mini marshmallows. I reserve 2 cups of marshmallows to stir in at the end. If you only have large marshmallows then just stir in all the marshmallows to melt at the beginning. Or if you want to use marshmallow creme you can use two 7.5 ounce containers.
- Vanilla extract – Pure is best, but imitation would work just fine.
- Salt – I prefer sea salt for best flavor, but any salt will work.
- Rice Krispie cereal – Regular rice krispies work, generic is fine, or try using cocoa krispies for a fun chocolate twist.
- Peanut butter chips – If you don’t have peanut butter chips, try stirring in regular chocolate chips!
How To Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, over low heat, melt butter and peanut butter together until completely melted and smooth.
Set aside 2 cups of the marshmallows to stir in at the end. When butter is melted, add the remaining marshmallows. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until melted.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Stir in remaining 2 cups mini marshmallows, rice krispies and peanut butter chips. This can be a little tough to stir together so use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon and do your best to get it all incorporated!
Spread in pan (use a piece of saran wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray to help make this part easier or spray your hand with cooking spray) and press into the pan. You want to let these rest for about an hour (if you can wait that long!) to set up before cutting into squares.
Heather’s Beginner Baking Tips
- Don’t turn the heat up too high or you will burn the butter and marshmallows.
- Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula for easy mixing.
- Use a large enough stockpot to hold all the ingredients.
- Immediately stir in the cereal and spread into the pan right away as the mixture can cool and set quickly.
- Do not press down too hard when pressing into the pan or they can become too compact and tough.
- Store in an airtight container so they don’t dry out and don’t store in the fridge or they will dry out.
Recipe FAQ’s
This could be if you used stale rice krispie treats or marshmallows. You may have also pressed them too much in the pan as well.
Nope! These are no bake treats. You will make them on the stovetop and press the mixture into the pan.
I keep them covered at room temperature and they keep for up to 3 days. Do not store in the fridge because they will become dried out.
I don’t really recommend freezing rice krispie treats as they don’t thaw and have the same texture. But if you do want to try freezing be sure to wrap between layers of parchment or wax paper and place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Yes you can, I think chocolate rice krispies would also work really well in this recipe!
Time Saving Shortcuts
- Line your pan. Line the pan with tinfoil or parchment and spray with cooking spray so they don’t stick (I prefer lining the pan so I can easily lift them out and have one less dirty dish).
- Press into the pan the easy way. Use wax paper, plastic wrap, or the butter wrapper to easily press these into the pan
- Use your microwave. Melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Then remove and in the rest of the ingredients.
More Recipes To Try
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Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (135 g) peanut butter
- 20 ounces mini marshmallows divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 7 cups (196 g) rice krispies
- 1 cup (170 g) peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Prepare pan. Lightly spray x 9×13 pan or line with parchment paper (or tinfoil) for easy removal. Then spray with cooking spray. You can use a smaller pan if you want thicker treats.
- Combine butter and peanut butter. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, over low heat, melt butter and peanut butter together until completely melted and smooth.
- Melt marshmallows. Set aside 2 cups of the marshmallows. When butter is melted, add the remaining marshmallows. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until melted.
- Add vanilla and salt. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Add remaining ingredients. Immediately stir in remaining 2 cups mini marshmallows, rice krispies and peanut butter chips. This can cool and set quickly so be sure to stir in immediately and then spread into your pan.
- Press in pan. Spread in pan (I like to use a piece of saran wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray, a piece of wax paper, the butter wrapper, or you can spray your hand with cooking spray) and press into the pan. Be sure to not press down too hard or it can make them very hard and compact. Let sit for 1 hour to harden. Lift out of the pan and cut into squares and enjoy.
Notes
- Storage: I keep them covered at room temperature and they keep for up to 3 days. Do not stir in the fridge or they will dry out.
- Freezing: I don’t really recommend freezing rice krispie treats as they don’t thaw and have the same texture. But if you do want to try freezing be sure to wrap between layers of parchment or wax paper and place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter but if you use salted butter I would omit the salt.
- Peanut butter – I used smooth peanut butter but I think a chunky would work just fine! And I haven’t used an all natural peanut butter (the kind you need to stir) and can’t say how it would work due to the extra oil content.
- Marshmallows – I use two bags of mini marshmallows. I reserve 2 cups of marshmallows to stir in at the end. If you only have large marshmallows then just stir in all the marshmallows to melt at the beginning.Or if you want to use marshmallow creme you can use two 7.5 ounce containers.
- Vanilla extract – Pure is best, but imitation would work just fine.
- Rice Krispie cereal – Regular rice krispies work, generic is fine, or try using cocoa krispies for a fun chocolate twist.
- Peanut butter chips – If you don’t have peanut butter chips, try stirring in regular chocolate chips!
Nutrition
Jeremy says
I’m going to make these with Cocoa Krispies!!
Heather says
ooh yes!!! Love that idea Jeremy! Let me know how it turns out.
Jacqueline Debono says
I made these peanut butter rice krispie treats for my neighbour’s daughter’s birthday party. I don’t have young kids at home and really didn’t know what to take with me! These were such a hit. So glad I found this recipe!
Heather says
aw glad you loved them as much as we did!
Sue says
Im 63 now, a Grandmom.When I was growing up and also, when raising my son’s, I always added just a 1/2cup of creamy peanut butter, maybe a lil more That’s the only way my family likes Krispie Treats ,otherwise they are way too sweet.
Heather says
So you have been on to the magic of adding peanut butter for awhile! I’m just Learning of this deliciousness! Makes such a difference!
Amanda says
I love Rice Krispie treats, and the peanut butter addition made them even better! They’re so good with the marshmallow flavor.
Tristin says
We are obsessed with all things peanut butter, so just HAD to make this recipe! Let me just say that I’ll never go back to plain Rice Krispie treats!
Heather says
aw glad you loved them!
Cathleen says
These are my favourte things to make! LOVE that it is no bake so that I can make it all summer long. Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
Heather says
you’re welcome!
Kathryn says
These peanut butter rice krispie treats made the best dessert! We love the peanut butter chips in this recipe and the gooeyness of the marshmallows!
Heather says
aw glad you loved them Kathryn!
LaKita says
These peanut butter rice krispie treats are the perfect combination of peanut butter with a crispy marshmallow treat, so sweet and delicious!
Linda says
Oh, these are so a favorite in my household! And, you’re right, there is nothing better than peanut butter and marshmallows! The grandkids can’t get enough of them and would eat them all up if I didn’t hide some. lol
Pete says
This took me back to my childhood, we had these every birthday party I can remember! Thanks for the memories, I can taste it now!
Colleen says
I’ve made many a rice krispie treat but never with peanut butter. It’s such a great idea and I can’t wait to give it a try.