Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 8, 2025
Whenever we need a treat in a pinch, these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are my go-to. No oven, no fuss, and always a hit. Crispy, chewy, and packed with peanut butter and chocolate.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are one of my easy dessert recipes, as they’re no-bake and people love them. Here’s why I often keep a batch in the fridge:
- Packed with Peanut Butter: That rich, salty peanut butter flavor comes through in every bite.
- No Bake, No Fuss: There’s no oven, no fancy equipment, and barely any cleanup. It reminds me of our Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars.
- Loaded with Texture: Between the crisp cereal, melty chocolate chips, and soft mini marshmallows, every square hits all the right notes – crunchy, gooey, and chocolatey, a lot like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats.
- Kid-Approved, Grown-Up Loved: This one always gets two thumbs up from the kids, but I’ve made it for potlucks and holiday trays too.
- Perfect to Make Ahead: I usually press them into the pan and stash them in the fridge. A few hours later, they’re ready to slice and serve.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Peanut Butter – Creamy or chunky, peanut butter adds richness and protein. It binds everything together for that chewy texture.
- Agave Nectar & Brown Sugar – This naturally sweet combination brings just the right amount of sweetness and creates a smooth, pourable base for mixing.
- Crispy Rice Cereal – Light and airy, this cereal gives the bars their signature crunch and makes every bite perfectly crisp.
- Chocolate Chips – Melt slightly into the warm mixture, creating rich, chocolatey swirls throughout the bars.
- Mini Marshmallows – Soft and sweet, these add a pillowy texture and a fun, nostalgic finish to the top of every square.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Nut Butter Options: Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work well if you’re looking to change up the flavor or need a nut-free alternative.
- Chocolate Chip Alternatives: Feel free to swap in dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or even butterscotch chips. You can also melt the chips and drizzle over the bars instead of mixing them in.
- Add a Salty Crunch: Mix in a handful of crushed pretzels or top the bars with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It balances the sweetness and adds a satisfying crunch.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Bring the brown sugar and agave nectar to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. This creates a smooth, sticky base that blends evenly with the peanut butter.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in the peanut butter until completely smooth. Mixing while the syrup is hot ensures a creamy, cohesive mixture without clumps.
- Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the crispy rice cereal until well coated. Let it cool slightly before adding mix-ins to prevent melting.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and most of the marshmallows, reserving some for topping. Gently mix to distribute without crushing the cereal or melting the add-ins.
- Press the mixture into a greased 9×13 pan in an even layer. Press the remaining marshmallows on top and chill until fully set. This step helps the bars hold their shape for clean slicing.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make Entirely Ahead: You can make the entire batch up to 2 days in advance. Once pressed into the pan, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate until set. Slice into bars just before serving.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are super easy and super yummy! They keep well and are a great treat for kids and grown ups alike.
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup agave nectar
- 1 cup salted peanut butter, creamy or chunky both work well
- 7 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 bag chocolate chips, 12 oz
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a heavy medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and agave nectar. Bring to boil, stirring continuously, until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Stir together until mixture is well incorporated.
- Using a rubber spatula, transfer peanut butter mixture into a large bowl. Add crispy rice cereal, and mix together well. If cereal mixture is still warm, let it sit until it cools to lukewarm.
- Add chocolate chips and mix well. Gently add in mini marshmallows, reserving some for pressing onto the top, if desired. Press mixture evenly into a greased 13×9 baking pan.
- Cool for several hours in fridge until bars are set and firm enough to cut into squares.
Notes
- Use a natural or regular creamy peanut butter depending on your texture preference. Chunky peanut butter adds extra crunch if you like some bite.
- Bring the brown sugar and agave nectar just to a boil and stir continuously so the sugar fully dissolves without burning.
- Stir in the peanut butter right after removing from heat so it melts smoothly into the warm syrup.
- Let the cereal mixture cool to lukewarm before adding chocolate chips and marshmallows so they don’t melt too much and disappear.
- Storage: Treats can be kept airtight in the fridge for a week, or frozen for a month.
- This recipe is part of our Dessert Bar Recipes Collection.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use honey or maple syrup instead of agave nectar?
Yes, both honey and maple syrup work as substitutes. Just keep in mind that honey will make the bars a bit sweeter and firmer, while maple syrup may result in a slightly softer texture.
What kind of peanut butter works best?
Creamy peanut butter gives a smooth texture, while chunky adds extra crunch. Avoid natural peanut butters that separate easily, as they may make the bars too greasy or crumbly.
Why do I need to let the mixture cool before adding chocolate chips and marshmallows?
If the mixture is too hot, the chocolate and marshmallows will melt and disappear into the base. Cooling to lukewarm helps them hold their shape.
How should I store these and how long do they keep?
Store the bars in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 1 month.
More to Bake And Eat
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No-Bake) – These 5-Ingredient, No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are ridiculously easy to make. They can easily be made ahead of time, chilled, and served when you need them.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars – Creamy, fudgy peanut butter. Rich chocolate. Salty pretzel bits throughout.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No-Bake) – These bars are easy, unbelievably yummy, and packed with a boost of healthy energy.
- Healthy Rice Krispie Treats – Cereal bars are the perfect on-the-go breakfast for busy adults and kids alike. These Coconut Peanut Butter Cereal Bars pack a nutritious punch for the morning or afternoon pick-me-up.