Your favorite childhood treat gets an upgrade with yummy melted chocolate and creamy peanut butter. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars are a little slice of heaven that are super easy to make and keep well! They’re perfect for afterschool snacks, car rides, or cookouts, but also perfect for sending a little love to your friends and family out of state.
Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats – no stove needed
You can whip up this twist on a classic in just 1 bowl in the microwave, no stove needed. You’ll have an amazing treat in just a few minutes without much mess.
The classic gooey treat gets an upgrade made for all the chocolate peanut butter lovers out there! Do you think the inventor of Reese’s peanut butter cups knew what they were doing when they combined those two magical ingredients? They must have because it’s become such a worldwide sensation.
I love the crunchy texture and consistency of the crispy rice cereal with the combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and—my secret ingredient—pecans. They add an extra undercurrent of nutty flavor that takes these cereal treats to a whole new level.
You can use any combo of chocolate and peanut butter depending on your personal preference. I generally go for classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, but these would be just as amazing with dark chocolate!
What I love about this easy recipe is that it’s the perfect dessert bar to whip up when you’re in the mood for something sweet or to bond with your kids or grandkids. Since it’s basically just stirring a bunch of ingredients together and then pouring them in a pan, you don’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt or in the way, all while building memories!
If those kidos have already flown the coup, you can ship these as long as it’s not super hot. The chocolate will melt a little but they will keep their shape.
Suppose you have a peanut butter lover in your life. In that case, some of my other favorite peanut butter treats are my peanut butter bars and their elevated brethren, this peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache. If you make any of these, they’ll never leave you alone, so enter at your own risk!
Why You Should Make These Chocolate Rice Krispie Bars
- New Favorite – Sometimes you don’t even know that something better is out there until you try it!
- Simple Ingredients – Cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and mini marshmallows? What more do you need?
- Easy To Make – Melt, stir, microwave! Three steps and you’ve got amazing crispy bars to indulge in all weekend long.
Ingredients For Peanut Butter And Chocolate Rice Krispie Bars
Marshmallows – One bag of mini marshmallows, but big ones will work too!
Peanut Butter – I opted for creamy peanut butter and then added pecans for extra crunch, but you could use crunchy peanut butter here and skip the added nuts.
Chocolate – I went for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use any kind of chocolate chips, chunks, or chopped up bars.
Butter – there’s always butter!
Cereal – Grab your favorite crisp rice cereal and get ready to make the perfect treat.
Nuts – Chopped pecans were my choice!
Make These in the Microwave
Step One: Prep
Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
Step Two: Melt Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, marshmallows, butter, and chocolate chips. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals for about 2 minutes until the marshmallows have melted.
Step Three: Mix Together
Immediately add Rice Krispies and chopped nuts to the melted marshmallows and stir until combined.
Step Four: Bake Bars
Pour into your prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to smooth them into an even layer.
How To Upgrade Classic Rice Krispies
- Take a little time to brown butter on the stovetop before adding to the marshmallow mixture for delicious brown butter rice krispies.
- Add chopped pretzels and a golden brown marshmallow layer for s’mores rice krispies!
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top as soon as they’re out of the oven for a little extra something.
How To Store Rice Krispies Treats
On The Counter: Store cooled rice krispies in an airtight container on the counter. Don’t refrigerate them because the cold will make the marshmallows too hard to enjoy.
Tasty Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 10 ½ ounces miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup peanut butter creamy
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In an 8 cup or larger microwave-safe bowl, add butter and microwave for 1 minute until it has partially melted.
- Add the marshmallows, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, or until marshmallows are melted. Stir until completely combined.
- Immediately stir in the Rice Krispies and pecans.
- Quickly spread into the prepared pan and smooth the surface so that it's even. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours before cutting.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- This will not be as thick as a traditional Rice Krispie treat but it will become firm once the chocolate cools.
- If you don’t to use a. microwave, you can do this on the stovetop over medium heat.
Nutrition
Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage
on Instagram!
carol e hawley says
could you please tell me how many cups would equal the marshmallows in this recipe. thanking you in advance for your reply .
Barbara Curry says
It will be about 6 cups of marshmallows.