Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
These decadent peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie treats take the classic homemade Rice Krispie to a whole new level. Full of chocolate and peanut butter, these Rice Krispies are incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to be a dessert favorite at your next birthday party or gathering!
Growing up, we had a family friend who made THE BEST homemade Rice Krispie treats. They were loaded with marshmallows, perfectly crispy, and still somehow managed to sit light in the stomach unlike many other sweet treats. At it was with her recipe that my love for Rice Krispie treats began!
Beyond they’re obvious delicious flavors, some of the other reasons why I love to make Rice Krispie treats is because they are surprisingly simple to make, great for a crowd, and can be made in so many different ways featuring new flavors like this recipe for chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie treats.
Chocolate and peanut butter pair together nicely in just about every setting, so why not press them into decadent Rice Krispie squares as well? Let me tell you, these peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispie squares are dense and rich but, man, are they delicious!
I tested this recipe on a group of friends and ended up having almost zero leftovers so yeah, they’re a crowd hit. If you have been put in charge of dessert for a class party, tailgate, or birthday, or simply want to enjoy a sweet treat then this is truly the perfect recipe for you.
Why you’ll love these chocolate peanut butter rice krispies:
Honestly the name “chocolate and peanut butter rice krispies” should have you running to the recipe card all on its own. Here’s why you’re going to love this recipe:
Surprisingly easy to make: these homemade chocolate and peanut butter Rice Krispie squares taste really custom and fancy because of their decadent filling but they truly are so easy to make. All you really need to do is melt some butter and marshmallows and you’re ready to go!
Loved by all ages: I don’t care how old you are, no-one is above a homemade Rice Krispie and that makes this recipe the perfect option for parties of all kinds. I will say, remember that these are chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispies… kids may need an extra napkin.
Can be prepped ahead of time: These Rice Krispies need to be given at least 1 hour of chill time in the refrigerator before they are served but they can easily be prepped and refrigerated 1 to 2 days in advance to keep your “day of party” prep simple!
Full of decadent flavors: Rice Krispies with chocolate and peanut butter? Sign me up! These bars are so rich, delicious and a hearty Rice Krispie bar that still offers a nice crunchy bite. Plus, the drizzle peanut butter on top makes them look beautiful!
You’re going to love these chocolate pb Rice Krispie treats. Now let’s get into the ingredients you will need to make them!
Ingredients for peanut butter chocolate Rice Krispie bars:
A traditional rice krispie recipe typically uses 3 ingredients: butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispie cereal. You’ll need those key 3 ingredients plus a few others to make these bars:
Butter: Unsalted preferably.
Mini marshmallows: I recommend using mini marshmallows because they melt faster.
Rice Krispies: This recipe has alot of chocolate flavors melted into it so I used plain Rice Krispie cereal but you could certainly double up on the chocolate and use cocoa rice krispies if preferred!
Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened, the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips make this recipe plenty sweet.
Creamy peanut butter: Could use crunchy if you want some extra texture.
Chocolate chips: I recommend using semi-sweet. The chocolate chips will fully melt down and help coat the Rice Krispies.
Vanilla: This adds flavor depth but could be skipped if you don’t have it.
Course sea salt: A nice balance to the sweetness of the chocolate.
LTN TIP: I used a full cup of chocolate chips in this recipe but it really just enhances the chocolate flavor so if you want a slightly lighter, more airy Rice Krispie bar then you could use 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup instead of a full cup. These ones are dense but delicious!
Step by Step Instructions:
As I mentioned earlier, one of the reasons why I think homemade Rice Krispie bars are the perfect dessert for a crowd is because they are incredibly easy to make, perfect for a group, and can be prepped ahead of time. These chocolate and peanut butter Rice Krispie squares are no different!
Here’s how you’ll make them:
1) Add your butter to a large pot and melt over low/medium heat until fully melted.
2) Add your marshmallows, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and your course sea salt.
3) Warm over low/medium heat, stirring often until fully melted. Do not over melt the marshmallows because they will start to get stiffen. Remove the mixture from the heat once the marshmallows have just melted.
4) Add in your Rice Krispies and the remaining 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (based on your taste preferences). Stir until your Rice Krispies are fully coated in the chocolate mixture.
5) Line an 8x8 or 9x13 dish (an 8x8 will give you thicker Rice Krispies and the 9x13 will have them slightly thinner) with parchment paper or tin foil. Using your hand or a rubber spatula, gently press your peanut butter and chocolate Rice Krispies down into an even layer in the pan, pressing to the corners.
6) Warm the remaining 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds then drizzle across the top of your chocolate Rice Krispies. Place your rice krispies pan in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to allow them to cool and set. The peanut butter on the top should be solid.
When you are ready to enjoy, remove them from the pan, cut into squares or bars, and serve chilled!
Swaps and substitutions:
You can always make modifications to this chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispies recipe by:
Swapping the type of chocolate used: I used semi-sweet but you could use milk or dark chocolate if preferred.
Add full chocolate chips or peanut butter chips: If you want to include whole chocolate chips, you can sprinkle them on top or add them in as you press the chocolate rice krispies into the pan before they are cooled.
Top with sprinkles:.Chocolate sprinkles would look beautiful on this recipe!
Lessen the chocolate: This recipe will give you a dense yet crispy Rice Krispie bar. If you want a Rice Krispie treat that is a little bit lighter, I would only use 1/2 cup of chocolate chips instead of a full cup.
Add other flavors: These chocolate and peanut butter rice krispie treats would pair well with cinnamon, coconut, and even chopped nuts if you want to add them!
Or simply make this recipe exactly how I made it. Trust me, the entire crowd will be asking for the recipe!
Recipe FAQ:
How to store Rice Krispie treats?
Rice Krispie treats should be covered with tin foil or Saran Wrap and stored in the fridge.
Can these Rice Krispies sit out for a while?
Because this recipe is for chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispies, I found that this recipe is best served chilled and can sit for about 2 hours at room temperature. Longer than that or in really warm temperatures will lead to an extra messy bar!
How long can I keep the leftovers for?
I would recommend 2-3 days for leftovers. Beyond that and the Rice Krispie bars start to lose their crisp!
Other dessert recipes you will love:
Brown Butter Golden Graham Rice Krispies
Snickers Dates
Caramel Oatmeal Bars
White Chocolate Peppermint Date Bark
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt your butter in a large pot until fully melted.
- Then, add your marshmallows, cocoa powder, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, vanilla extract, salt, and 1/4 cup peanut butter and melt over low/med heat (~6-7 minutes), stirring often. Do not overheat, remove from heat once all of the marshmallows are just melted.
- Stir in your rice krispie cereal and remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Stir until all of the cereal is well coated.
- Line an 8x8 or 9x13 pan with tin foil or parchment paper and gently press your chocolate Rice Krispies in, patting into all corners.
- Warm the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter for 30 seconds in the microwave and drizzle overtop. Refrigerate for minimum of 1 hour to allow to set then enjoy chilled!
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Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!