Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

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How to make the best no bake peanut butter Rice Krispie treats. They're soft and chewy, gooey with marshmallows, and such an easy recipe to make with kids.

My middle child loves it when I make Rice Krispie treats. Add a little peanut butter in, making them peanut butter rice crispy treats, and he's in heaven.

My favorite thing about this recipe is that you only need 6 ingredients to make it. And there's no baking involved, just a little bit of stove time.

grabbing slice of peanut butter Rice Krispie treats out of metal baking dish

I prefer to use creamy peanut butter to make these peanut butter Rice Krispie bars, but you can use crunchy too.

Other than the peanut butter, though, this recipe is very similar to our favorite Rice Krispie treats recipe, as well as microwave rice crispy treats.

stack of peanut butter Rice crispy treats on white plate

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card with a longer how to video.

WHAT KIND OF MARSHMALLOWS SHOULD YOU USE TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW RICE KRISPIE TREATS?

While you can use either big marshmallows or mini marshmallows, I definitely recommend using the minis. You can also use marshmallow fluff, although I’ve never tried it with this particular recipe.

You do have to melt the marshmallows before mixing everything together with the Rice Krispies cereal. Because of this, the mini marshmallows are an easier choice, as they melt a lot quicker than the jumbo marshmallows.

HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS

You can use pretty much any crispy rice cereal for this peanut butter Rice Krispie squares recipe, whether you choose to use the original Rice Krispies cereal, a generic brand, or a store brand.

Quick Tip: Make sure you use salted butter over margarine. Butter will give your marshmallow treats a richer flavor and texture.

Before you get started, prepare your baking dish by generously spraying it with cooking spray.

Making marshmallow treats is a quick 4 step process…

  1. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan or Dutch oven on the stovetop.
  2. Then add in the vanilla extract, salt, and mini marshmallows.
  3. Continue to heat and stir the mixture until the marshmallows have completely melted; then remove from heat, and stir in the peanut butter.
  4. Once the peanut butter is melted and fully stirred into the marshmallow mixture, stir in the Rice Krispies.
steps for how to make peanut butter Rice Krispie treats in blue Dutch oven, using butter, mini marshmallows, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies cereal

Finally, just spread the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats into a greased baking dish and let them cool.

peanut butter Rice Krispie bars in metal baking pan

CREATIVE IDEAS FOR THESE PEANUT BUTTER TREATS

Chocolate and peanut butter pretty much go hand in hand, so here are a few ideas with ways to dress up your homemade treats.

WANT COLORFUL RICE KRISPIE TREATS?

Pink rice krispy treats are perfect for Valentine's Day, baby showers, treats on a stick, and more!

Add delicious strawberry flavor to these strawberry Rice Krispies treats (they're my favorite).

HOW TO KEEP RICE KRISPIE TREATS SOFT

Unfortunately, Rice Krispie treats are one of those desserts that after 2 or 3 days will start to harden up and be either extra chewy or rock solid.

Two ways to keep them soft are by using fresh ingredients, especially the marshmallows and cereal, and by cooking the marshmallow mixture on low to medium heat.

Also, use lots of marshmallows. If you're using 6 cups of cereal (as in the case with this recipe), you'll want the same amount of marshmallows, so a 1:1 ratio.

And finally, another way to keep them soft is to store them properly, which brings me to my next point.

HOW TO STORE RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Be sure to store any leftover treats in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag.

And as I mentioned, you'll probably want to eat them within the first 2 or 3 days.

CAN YOU FREEZE RICE KRISPIE TREATS?

You can if you need to. And then get them out with at least half an hour to thaw before serving.

Be sure when freezing them, though, that you store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. And you might even put wax paper or parchment paper between the layers of treats so they don't stick together.

MORE RICE KRISPIE TREAT FUN:

Celebrating with a Halloween party? These Frankenstein marshmallow treats make a great last minute treat!

Got a chocolate lover? Make chocolate Rice Krispie treats that are simply irresistible.

SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE

Dutch Oven or Sauce Pan

Heat-Resistant Spatula – This one is my go to spatula.

9″x13″ Baking Dish

GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

peanut butter Rice Krispie treats recipe

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Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

How to make the best no bake peanut butter Rice Krispie treats. They're soft and chewy, gooey with marshmallows, and such an easy recipe to make with kids.
4.45 from 84 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Rice Krispie Treats
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 179kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large sauce pot or Dutch oven on the stovetop.
  • Stir the vanilla extract and salt into the butter.
  • Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter mixture, stirring until the marshmallows have fully melted.**
  • Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the peanut butter until it's completely melted.
  • Then quickly stir in the Rice Krispies cereal.
  • Spread the Rice Krispies mixture into the greased baking dish and allow it to cool.
  • Cut into serving size pieces and serve!

Notes

*You can use pretty much any crisp rice cereal, whether you choose to use the original Rice Krispies cereal, a generic brand, or a store brand.
**You can use big or mini marshmallows, but I highly recommend mini marshmallows, since they'll be a lot quicker and easier to melt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 170mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g
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10 thoughts on “Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats”

  1. I’ve always put PB in with butter an marshmallows.. seems to mix better an get all on Krispies… An I use JIF PB … YUMYUMFERMYTUMTUM!!!

    Reply
  2. I make these all the time. I use three cups of rice krispie and three cups of cocoa pebbles and they are a huge hit with the family and partys. I would like to know how much of the big marshmallows to use. I only used the little ones.

    Reply
    • Harper, I’ve always used minis, so I can’t say for sure how much to substitute, but my recommendation would be to weigh out 6 cups of mini marshmallows, and match that weight with the big marshmallows. This would be more accurate than matching volume. The weight is also usually specified on the bag. For example, it may say on the bag that 1 cup of marshmallows, big and small, weighs X amount. With some quick math, you can easily figure up how many more of the big marshmallows you should use to match that weight. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Just made these. I added a cup of chocolate chips with the peanut butter and if my taste test (AKA licking the spoon) is any indication, they are yummy! I doubt they will last long. Thanks for posting the recipe!

    Reply
  4. Ooh so delicious..everyone who tries these when I make them wants the recipie.I have to have self control or I’ll eat the whole pan!!!

    Reply

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