Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

Take your favorite childhood treat to a whole new level with these Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats! The addition of creamy peanut butter, a chocolate top layer, and a sprinkle of salt make these handheld treats irresistible!

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Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

Why I Love These Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats remind me of a childhood dessert, but they are updated with chocolate and a sprinkle of flaked sea salt. Basically, you are getting crunchy, sweet, salty, and gooey all in one little square. Oh, and they are no-bake!

If you love Rice cereal treats as much as I do, check out some of my other variations like Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats, Ube Rice Krispie Treats, and Rice Krispie Treat Stars.

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

Ingredients Needed to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

  • creamy peanut butter
  • unsalted butter
  • marshmallows (full-size or mini)
  • crispy rice cereal
  • chocolate bark or chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate)
  • flaked sea salt (optional, but highly recommended)

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

How to Make These Easy No-Bake Bars

1. Coat a pan with butter. Place a piece of parchment paper across the bottom and up the side to create a sling. This will make it easier to remove the treats once they are set.

2. Add the peanut butter and butter to a large pot over medium-high heat, constantly stirring while they melt together.

3. Turn down the heat to medium, add the marshmallows, and continue to stir until melted together.

4. Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the rice cereal. Quickly stir everything together to coat all of the cereal.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Once cool enough to touch, gently press down on the top of the mixture to compact the treats.

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

6. While the treats are cooling, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, remove from the microwave and give it a stir. Continue to melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted.

7. Carefully pour the melted chocolate on top of the treats and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the top with salt and allow the bars to cool for 2 hours.

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

8. When ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan and cut them into squares. Sprinkle the tops with a little more salt if desired and enjoy!

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

Tips for Making These Peanut Butter Chocolate Treats

  • I used a deep pot when making these, it helps keep the mess down and everything in the pan.
  • I also used an 8×10 deep baking dish so that I had nice thick treats. A 9×13 pan would work as well.
  • As soon as you put the cereal mixture into the pan, soak the pot in hot water to make clean up easier.
  • Put a little butter on your hands before pressing the treats down into the pan to prevent stickiness.
  • Make a sling out of parchment paper to remove the bars easier. My photo does not show this and it was difficult to remove them.
  • You can chill these in the fridge once they cool for a nice chilled treat.
  • Store any leftover treats in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Tools Needed to Make Rice Cereal Treats with Marshmallows and Peanut Butter

More Dessert Bar Recipes

  • Easy Passion Fruit Bars
  • Pink Grapefruit Dessert Bars
  • Coconut Fig Crumble Bars
  • Easy Cherry Crumble Bars
  • Saltine Cracker Caramel Bars

Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows
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Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats without marshmallows

  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus a little more for the pan)
  • 12 ounces marshmallows (full-size or mini)
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 6 ounces chocolate bark or chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate)
  • 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt (optional, but highly recommended)

  • Coat a 10×8 or 9×13 pan with butter. Place a piece of parchment paper across the bottom and up the side to create a sling. This will make it easier to remove the treats once they are set.

  • Add the peanut butter and butter to a large pot over medium-high heat, constantly stirring while they melt together.

  • Once the peanut butter and butter are fully melted and smooth, turn down the heat to medium, add the marshmallows, and continue to stir. The marshmallows will fully melt into the mixture, this takes a few minutes.

  • Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the rice cereal. Quickly stir everything together to coat all of the cereal. You must work quickly because the mixture will start to harden as it cools.

  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Once cool enough to touch, gently press down on the top of the mixture to compact the treats. You can also use the bottom of a cup.

  • While the treats are cooling, place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, remove from the microwave and give it a stir. Continue to melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted, this should only take another 60-90 seconds.

  • Carefully pour the melted chocolate on top of the treats and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the top with salt and allow the bars to cool for a minimum of 1 hour, 2 is best to allow the chocolate to set.

  • When ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan and cut them into squares. Sprinkle the tops with a little more salt if desired and enjoy!

  • I used a deep pot when making these, it helps keep the mess down and everything in the pan.
  • I also used an 8×10 deep baking dish so that I had nice thick treats. A 9×13 pan would work as well.
  • As soon as you put the cereal mixture into the pan, soak the pot in hot water to make clean up easier.
  • Put a little butter on your hands before pressing the treats down into the pan to prevent stickiness.
  • Make a sling out of parchment paper to remove the bars easier. My photo does not show this and it was difficult to remove them.
  • You can chill these in the fridge once they cool for a nice chilled treat.
  • Store any leftover treats in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 32.6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15.9g | Saturated Fat: 5.4g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 14.4g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 8mg

Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Did you Make These Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats?

If you make these Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show them off!! I love to see what you are up to in your kitchen.

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What can I use instead of marshmallows in Rice Krispies?

Almond Butter – together, almond butter and maple syrup work together to create a sticky mixture that acts as a substitute for marshmallows. This way, you can make rice crispy treats without marshmallows!

How do you get rice crispy treats to stick together?

We have found that the secret to soft and amazing Rice Krispie Treats is Fresh Marshmallows. Fresh Marshmallows do not stick together. They do not stick together when you take them out of the bag. They pour easily into the measuring cup.

Is there a substitute for Rice Krispies?

Instead of using Rice Krispies (or any cereal) in your treat recipe, try the following substitutions: Fried chow mein noodles. Fried wonton strips. Pretzel sticks.

Why was Rice Krispies discontinued?

The Kellogg's Strike That Started It All The strike lasted 71 days until December of 2021, when both sides agreed to a new five-year contract. Because the strike lasted so long, some Kellogg's products, including Rice Krispies, have been in short supply as the company tries to catch up with production.