Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are an absolute dream for anyone who loves a good crunch, and adores the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Easy to make, few ingredients, and absolutely delicious, these may be your new favorite way of making rice krispies!
Peanut butter lovers, I guarantee this enhanced version of classic rice krispie treats will become your go-to favorite treat the next time you’re feeling that itch.
The combination of sultry peanut butter with inviting chocolate paired with that undeniably enticing crunch? It’s enough to drive you wild!
Trust me when I say these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats are not just for kids.
I just couldnโt stop nibbling on them while I was cutting and photographing them…and putting them away…and any time I walked into the kitchen.
Major Bonus: these chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats are made with better-for-you ingredients. They don’t contain corn syrup or a marshmallow mixture, which gives them one leg up on classic rice krispies in my opinion.
Not only is the cereal layer of the rice krispies treats jam packed with rich peanut butter and chocolate deliciousness, but we add a layer of chocolate on top to reel in the chocolate lover as well.
Letโs discuss the simple ingredients needed to make these amazing rice krispie treats.
Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats:
Peanut Butter: The glue that holds everything together and also brings that otherworldly unmistakably delicious flavor to the dessert.
I use unsweetened natural peanut butter, but feel free to use any brand of creamy peanut butter or chunky peanut butter you’d like.
Pure Maple Syrup: Used to sweeten the rice krispie treats, we use pure maple syrup. You can swap it for honey if you prefer.
Butter (or Coconut Oil): Bringing plenty of rich flavor and lubrication to ensure the treats donโt turn out dry, we use a generous amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil.
Cocoa Powder: A little cocoa powder brings more chocolate depth to the rice krispies. I use raw cacao powder, but you can use Dutch process cocoa powder or any unsweetened cocoa powder you like.
Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla brings warmth and depth of flavor to the treat. Skip it if you donโt have it on hand.
Sea Salt: A little salt levels up all of the flavors and makes them join together in one cohesive flavor mission.
Crispy Rice Cereal: The true star here, crispy rice cereal is what brings that amazing crunch to rice krispie treats. I use brown rice crispy rice cereal, but pick your favorite brand.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: We mix chocolate chips in with the rice cereal to ensure there is plenty of chocolate flavor to go with the peanut butter.
Optional Topping: all we need for the optional melted chocolate topping is chocolate chips and butter (or coconut oil).
When melted together, a thick, gooey, deliciously rich ganache forms, which hardens as it sits in the freezer or refrigerator.
Optional Customizations:
- Use your favorite chocolate chips here! I go with semi-sweet, but dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips, and sugar-free chocolate chips all work. Butterscotch chips are a trip in this application!
- Mix in mini marshmallows with the crispy rice cereal and the chocolate chips for a sort of s’mores approach to these peanut butter rice krispie bars.
- If you’re familiar with the process of making brown butter, feel free to employ that technique here by first browning the butter in the pot you’re using to prepare the peanut butter rice krispie treats recipe.
- Chop up some peanut butter cups and toss them in!
- Skip the chocolate and make my 4-Ingredient Healthy Rice Krispie Treats.
Now that weโve covered the pantry ingredients for these krispy treats, letโs make it!
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats:
Add the peanut butter, pure maple syrup, butter, and vanilla extract to a large pot. Heat the large saucepan on the stove top over medium heat or low heat (depending on your burner), and stir well until everything is melted and completely combined.
Once combined, remove the pot from the heat.
Stir in the cocoa powder and salt until combined.
Add the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips to the pot and gently fold everything together until all of the cereal is well-coated with the peanut butter chocolate mixture.
Pour mixture to a parchment-lined 9โ x 9โ square pan and spread it into an even layer.
Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl for 20-second intervals, stirring well in between, until melted and creamy.
Pour this mixture over the rice crispy treats and spread it evenly.
Transfer the square baking dish of rice krispies to your freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened and the rice krispies have set up.
Tug on the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the baking dish and move them to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut any size rice krispie treats you like.
Serve and enjoy!
Storage Options:
Store the rice krispies in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can also cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate if need be. I don’t recommend storing these rice krispie squares at room temperature, as they can melt in the summer heat if you keep your house warm.
If you enjoy these cereal treats, also try these no-bake easy dessert recipes, which are similar yet uniquely different.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes:
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- 3-Ingredient No-Bake Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Keto No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Crunchy 4-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
- 6-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
Have a blast with this enhanced version of classic rice krispie treats for a fun twist.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1 ยฝ cups unsweetened peanut butter
- ยฝ cup pure maple syrup
- ยฝ cup butter or coconut oil melted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract optional
- โ cup cocoa powder
- Pinch sea salt
- 4 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional Chocolate Layer:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil or butter
Instructions
- Add the peanut butter, pure maple syrup, butter, and vanilla extract to a large pot. Heat the large saucepan on the stove top over medium heat or low heat (depending on your burner), and stir well until everything is melted and completely combined. Once combined, remove the pot from the heat.
- Stir in the cocoa powder and salt until combined.ย
- Add the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips to the pot and gently fold everything together until all of the cereal is well-coated with the peanut butter chocolate mixture.
- Pour mixture to a parchment-lined 9โ x 9โ square pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl for 20-second intervals, stirring well in between, until melted and creamy.
- Pour this mixture over the rice crispy treats and spread it evenly.
- Transfer the square baking dish of rice krispies to your freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened and the rice krispies have set up.
- Tug on the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the baking dish and move them to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut any size rice krispie treats you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
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