Sweet, crunchy, and oh-so-chocolaty, these chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats are the ultimate no-bake indulgence!
Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in dessert heaven, and these chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats bring them together in the easiest and most delicious way. Whether you’re making them for a party, an after-school treat, or just because, these no-bake bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The crispy rice cereal base is perfectly complemented by a rich, smooth chocolate-peanut butter topping—and the sprinkle of roasted peanuts adds just the right crunch.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
- No-bake simplicity: Perfect for when you want a quick treat without turning on the oven.
- Classic flavor combo: Chocolate and peanut butter never fail to impress.
- Kid-friendly: Both making and eating them is a hit with kids (and adults, too!).
- Customizable: Easy to tweak to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- No marshmallows! These treats skip the usual marshmallows, focusing instead on the rich flavors of honey and peanut butter.
What You’ll Need
- Honey and sugar: These provide sweetness and help bind everything together.
- Peanut butter: The creamy base for the bars. Use smooth, crunchy, or even natural peanut butter, but note that natural peanut butter may create a slightly softer texture.
- Crisp rice cereal: Adds the signature crunch. Rice Krispies are a common brand, but any brand should be fine.
- Chocolate chips and peanut butter chips: Melted together for an easy, luscious topping.
- Roasted peanuts: For an extra layer of texture and flavor. See the variations section below for some other topping ideas.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
- Prepare the pan: Grease or line a 9″ x 13″ baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the base: Heat honey and sugar in a saucepan until just boiling, then stir in peanut butter until smooth. Mix in the cereal until fully coated, then press into the prepared pan.
- Make the topping: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Spread this mixture over the bars and sprinkle with peanuts.
- Set and serve: Let the bars sit at room temperature until the topping hardens. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook the honey and sugar. Boil just until the sugar dissolves to avoid a hard or sticky texture.
- Work quickly. Once the peanut butter is mixed into the syrup, stir in the cereal right away before it cools.
- Keep the cereal intact. Avoid crushing the cereal when mixing to maintain its signature crunch.
- Grease your hands or spatula. This makes pressing the mixture into the pan easier and less sticky.
- Use parchment paper to press. As an alternative to using a greased spatula, place a sheet of parchment over the mixture and press down evenly for smooth, uniform bars.
- Ensure even topping. Pour the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture quickly and spread it immediately for a smooth finish.
- Scaling the recipe. For a smaller batch, halve the ingredients and use an 8″ x 8″ pan. To feed a crowd, double the recipe and use two pans.
Variations
- Add-ins: Mix in 1/2 to 1 cup mini marshmallows, chocolate candies, or dried fruit with the cereal for added flavor and texture.
- Different chips: Try white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips in the topping.
- Topping options: Sprinkle sea salt, coconut flakes, or colorful sprinkles over the chocolate-peanut butter topping for a different flavor and look.
- Other nut butters: Almond butter or cashew butter can be substituted for peanut butter. Keep in mind that their flavors are milder, and natural versions may create a softer texture.
- Nut-free option: If you don’t want to use a nut butter, use sunflower seed butter and omit the peanuts.
How to Store
- Room temperature: Store these treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to separate layers with parchment or wax paper or wrap the bars individually to prevent sticking. Allow frozen treats to thaw at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
More Rice Crispy Treats Recipes
Get the Recipe:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Treats
Yield
24 2-inch bars
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
These chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats are the ultimate no-bake dessert! With a peanut butter-infused crispy base and a rich chocolate topping, they’re perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (340g) honey
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 & 1/4 cups (318g) smooth or crunchy peanut butter
- 6 cups (168g) crisp rice cereal
- 2 cups (340g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups (340g) peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup (62g) chopped roasted peanuts (salted or unsalted)
Instructions
- Grease or line a 9"x 13"x 2" baking pan.
- Combine the honey and sugar in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat.
- Add the peanut butter, stirring until combined. Add the cereal, and stir until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat at half-power in 30-second increments, stirring after each interval. Repeat until the chips melt when stirred. Stir until smooth.
- Spread the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the top of the bars. Sprinkle the peanuts over the top. Allow the bars to sit at room temperature until the topping hardens. Then cut into bars.
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Taste of the South.
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10 Comments on “Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats”
I have my Mom’s recipe, I think it has corn syrup instead of honey and the chocolate is mixed into the rice krispy’s. But it is similar.
Wait a minute, so no marshmallows but MORE peanut butter? Heck yea!
oooh that is cool that these don’t have marshmallows! I bet the honey complements the pb and chocolate beautifully!
I love that this doesn’t have marshmallows…which means no HFCS and other unnatural ingredients. (Well maybe some in the rice krisps, but one can get those organic). Yum!
Yes! One of my favorite crispy treats recipes!
We make a similar treat. We use. Cocoa Crispys with peanut butter and marshmallows.Â
This was the “candy bar” of my dreams! Ironically, the large supermarket I shop at, did not carry Peanut Butter chips. Jennifer was correct regarding Butterscotch chips lesser than meltability, but I did persevere. This confection came together so easily, and it was like a Toblerone candy bar had married rice krispy treats, plus the flavor from peanut butter. We happen to adore the flavor of honey, and this totally vibed with Jennifer’s admonition that the flavor is FANTASTIC. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this one!
I’m so glad these warranted such high praise, Jeff!
I don’t think we have ‘peanut butter chips in Aus! Maybe just more peanuts?!
Hi, Karen. I’d replace them with more chocolate chips so you have enough topping. Then if you want more peanuts, you can sprinkle them on top.