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A classic treat from childhood, but still perfectly delicious at any age! Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats are a simple no bake treat that combine peanut butter and chocolate for a delicious dessert! Made with only 5 ingredients and prepped in just 15 minutes!
This recipe was originally published June 2015 and updated June 2021.
You are never too old for a rice krispie treat, never. And while I could live on these white chocolate dipped funfetti rice krispie treats, sometimes I want something a bit less crazy sweet.
Marshmallows are great, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I want these bars without the marshmallows and the stomach ache that comes later from getting a few too many of them in my system.
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are made without marshmallows but with all the fun and flavor you will still love!
Why these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are the Best:
- You only need 5 ingredients.
- They are so kid friendly.
- A sweet treat, but not too sweet.
- They are naturally gluten free.
- No bake and whipped up in 15 minutes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients:
What I love about these treats is that I have everything in the pantry just about all the time to make them. Only 5 ingredients and all basics thats so many of us tend to have around the house!
Here is what you will need:
- peanut butter
- rice krispies
- maple syrup
- vanilla
- dark chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Not too much to whipping these rice krispie treats up. They are as easy to make as they are delisious!
- Heat the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla to combine. Stir until smooth and creamy and mixed together. You can do this in a sauce pan or a small bowl in the microwave. It will only take about 20-40 seconds at most if the peanut butter is already drippy. Sometimes mine doesn’t even need to be heated.
- Add to a bowl with rice krispies and gently stir to coat the cereal evenly.
- Press mixture firmly into a parchment lined 8x8inch pan. I mean , FIRM. Use a spoon or spatula to really press down so the bars will hold together. Chill until ready to add chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate in 20 second increments in the microwave stirring well after each round. Continue until melted and pour over the peanut butter layer. Spread with a spatula. Chill until chocolate is set .
- Cut and serve!
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- You can combine the peanut butter, honey and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl instead of stove top.
- The bars themselves will be just about 1 inch thickness. For a thicker bar, use a 6×8 inch pan or double the recipe and add it to a 9×9 inch pan.
- Creamy, natural peanut butter, the kind you have to stir works best in this chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treat recipe because it stirs really well and it’s nice and drippy. I highly suggest using it as well if possible.
- Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave or use the double boiler method. I sometimes have better luck with the double boiler method but everyone has their favorite procedure and that’s fine!
- Everything is tastier with a drizzle of chocolate–and by that I mean a lot of drizzles. Feel free to add it as well after chocolate as set!
Variations:
- Add a rich chocolate ganache layer over top. Heat about 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in the microwave for about one minute. Keep an eye on it making sure it does not bubble over. Pour the mixture over 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Allow to sit for several minutes and then stir until creamy and smooth. Spread over top of the rice krispie treat layer.
- Make it with EXTRA peanut butter. Add Reeses Pieces into the peanut butter layer and chop them over top of the chocolate layer. You could also sprinkle the top with chopped peanut butter cups.
- Add color. M&M’s will add a pop of color and more chocolate. Double win!
Other peanut butter chocolate recipes:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
- Peanut Butter Mocha Smoothie
- 5 Minute Peanut Butter Cup Mousse
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter, or other nut butter (I use a full cup for extra gooey treats!)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Chocolate Layer
- ¾ – 1 c dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate will work as well
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, heat peanut butter, maple/honey, and vanilla over low heat until melted and combined evenly. You can also do this in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second increments until smooth and drippy.
- Pour mixture over cereal in a medium mixing bowl and stir gently to combine and evenly coat.
- Press mixture (press really hard!) into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper and chill until cool. Use a spoon or spatula, or even the bottom of a glass to firmly press so it will hold as bars.
- Melt the chocolate in a bowl in the microwave in 20 second increments. Stir between each round until melted. Do not over heat the chocolate. When most of the chips are melted, keep stirring until smooth.
- Pour chocolate coating over peanut butter mixture and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Chill until chocolate has set. You can add a chocolate drizzle as well after the layer of chocolate has set if desired.
- Cut into squares and serve! I like to chill mine for several hours for easier cutting. Store in an air tight container for about 5 days. You can keep them in the refrigerator if desired–I prefer them that way!
Notes
- The bars themselves will be just about 1 inch thickness. For a thicker bar, use a 6×8 inch pan or double the recipe and add it to a 9×9 inch pan.
- You can combine the peanut butter, honey and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl instead of stove top.
- Creamy, natural peanut butter, the kind you have to stir works best in this chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treat recipe because it stirs really well and it’s nice and drippy. I highly suggest using it as well if possible.
- Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave or use the double boiler method. I sometimes have better luck with the double boiler method but everyone has their favorite procedure and that’s fine!
- Everything is tastier with a drizzle of chocolate–and by that I mean a lot of drizzles. Feel free to add it as well after chocolate as set!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I guess I didn’t press the rice mixture into the pan hard enough! They were tasty but the rice won’t hold together. I used almond butter and maple syrup.
Yes, pressing very firmly was key for me. I made it once and that happened because I difibitely didn’t press hard enough. Were they dry at all? A bit more almond butter could help as well! Sorry they didn’t hold up for you!
Does the maple syrup or the honey taste best? Trying to decide which to use! These used to be my hubby’s favorite bars and I have been wanting to find a healthier version, found it!! 😉 Thank you!
Hi Allie! It’s really a matter of personal preference. I don’t really care for the flavor of honey so I typically use the maple. If you like honey better though, use that. Both should work really well in the recipe though. I hope your hubby likes them!
Just made these…awesome recipe!!! Haven’t had rice crispy treat since I became vegan, better than the marshmallow kind. Thank you! ?
I agree! The marshmallow kind always left me feeling blah. Chocolate and peanut butter always do the trick. So glad you liked them and thanks for sharing!