Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats are the ultimate childhood favorite. This recipe is special because it keeps the treats gooey and soft!
PERFECT GOOEY PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE TREAT
My Mom is a peanut butter nut (pun intended!) She loves peanut butter cookies, and of course, she couldn’t pass up the chance to put peanut butter in Rice Krispies treats. When you grow up eating things a certain way, you just become accustomed to it. So now, this is the only way I like to eat them. I think my particular recipe for these 5-ingredient Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats is the absolute perfect balance between chewy and crunchy and peanut butter.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I have made this recipe with the store brand cereal, marshmallows, butter and peanut butter and these treats still turn out delicious. You do not need to use name brand. Also, Cocoa Krispies work perfectly with this recipe too! They’d be a fun chocolate and peanut butter flavor combination that we know so many people enjoy.
If you prefer a slightly thinner Rice Krispies treat, use a 9×13-inch baking dish instead of a 9×9-inch baking dish will do the trick.
Options are endless here guys. Over the years, you know you’ve made thousands of these things. You can add sprinkles, top with any baking chip like white chocolate chips, peanut butter chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, etc. You can add crushed candies into the mix. Additionally, you could melt some chocolate and pour it over the treats before you cut them. You know the deal, you can get creative and add anything you like the flavor of peanut butter with!
Usually this happens if you used too much heat. Using low heat to melt the butter and marshmallows is key. I know it can be tempting to turn up the heat to speed up the process but that’s risky. You could burn the butter, marshmallows or just make hard treat bars and nobody wants that! Just take the time you need to make these correctly.
Of course you can. Just be sure to hide them well so you don’t end up eating them all before you plan to serve them. Just kidding, you can make them up to a day in advance and store them appropriately. It is worth mentioning that these do taste best the day that you make them, but they do make a good make ahead treat if needed.
As with all Rice Krispies treats, they are best eaten the day they are made.
Store in an airtight container if you don’t eat them all the same day. I like to warm them up in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds when they start getting a little stale.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- salted butter
- mini marshmallows– I used a 10-ounce bag which equates to about 5 cups.
- creamy peanut butter– if you prefer crunchy, this would work also
- vanilla extract– don’t panic if you’re out, these will still taste delicious if you have to omit this extract.
- Rice Krispies cereal
HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIES TREATS:
Spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish (or 9×13-inch for thinner bars) with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper (for easier removal.) In a large sauce pan or pot, melt butter on low heat. Do this slowly so the butter does not burn. Once butter has melted, keep heat on low and add mini marshmallows.
Once marshmallows begin to soften and melt, add peanut butter. At this point, you will need to constantly stir the mixture so the peanut butter does not burn and the marshmallows can evenly melt (this won’t take too long – just a couple of minutes). Once, mixture is combined and melted, turn off heat and remove pan from stove. Stir in vanilla extract.
Add Rice Krispies cereal to sauce pan and stir until evenly coated with mixture. This is sticky stuff so do your best to get it all combined.
Add Rice Krispies cereal to sauce pan and stir until evenly coated with mixture. This is sticky stuff so do your best to get it all combined. Pour mixture into casserole dish (it will look very loose). Spray your hand with some nonstick cooking spray and pat down the mixture gently so it is evenly spread out. Allow 30-45 minutes for treats to set up. Then slice into bars.
Serve and enjoy when ready to dig in.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Original Rice Krispies Treats
- Fruity Pebbles Treats
- Scotcheroos
- Chex Mix Marshmallow Treats
- Circus Animal Krispies Treats
- No-Bake Gooey S’mores Treats
- Peanut Butter Cheerio Treats
- Reese’s Cheesecake Bars
- No-Bake Avalanche Cookies
- Reese’s Mini Cheesecakes
- Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
- Southern Peanut Pie
Originally published: January 2011
Updated photos & republished: July 2024
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows (about 5 cups)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups Rice Krispies
Instructions
- Spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper (for easier removal.)
- In a large sauce pan or pot, melt butter on low heat. Do this slowly so the butter does not burn.
- Once butter has melted, keep heat on low and add mini marshmallows.
- Once marshmallows begin to soften and melt, add peanut butter.
- At this point, you will need to constantly stir the mixture so the peanut butter does not burn and the marshmallows can evenly melt (this won’t take too long – just a couple of minutes)
- Once, mixture is combined and melted, turn off heat and remove pan from stove. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add Rice Krispies to sauce pan and stir until evenly coated with mixture. This is sticky stuff so do your best to get it all combined.
- Pour mixture into casserole dish (it will look very loose.) Spray your hand with some nonstick cooking spray and pat down the mixture.
- Allow 30-45 minutes for treats to set up. Then slice into bars.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
I can cook/bake about anything. But rice krispy treats NEVER turn out for me, until now! These turned out absolutely perfect & tasted amazing!thanks!!
Oh my , they are off the chain. I had them in school and when u saw your recipe , I said that’s it and made them . Took me way back . Thanks for sharing.
Really want to make these but only have regular sized marshmallows. Does 5 cups of mini equal 1 bag of the regular?
I tried the recipe and it was absolutely amazing and fun. Thank you
I’m 64 and I never knew people ate Rice krispie treats w/o peanut butter. They use to make then that way in our school lunches in the public schools. So, I’m sure you understand why I consider the peanut butter ones as the original ones. I don’t like the commercially made ones at all. So, thank-you for the recipe! I do appreciate it.
I’m only 46 but that is how they made them at our elementary school. They were my favorite! I’ve tried to duplicate them, but they just don’t taste the same. I’m not even sure if they even had marshmallows in them.
I just followed your recipe but pushed a bunch of Sixlets into it. Why let that Easter candy go to waste, right? Thanks for sharing!
These are really good using cocoa krispies or cocoa pebbles. Chocolate and peanut butter, yum!
Thanks for the revipe.
Amazing recipe
Thank you so much!!
I’d like to make these a day ahead for an event, have you tried reducing the amount of cereal for more chewyness, or…? Or do they stay nice & chewy for a day or 2 anyway? Thanks!
Love these things! I have made them also with additional add-ins from time to time.. crunchy PB instead of creamy, adding some crushed dry roasted peanuts, even coconut one time..all delicious! Now, I'm craving them!
My mom used to make peanut butter Rice Krispie treats. She used government peanut butter and it was the only thing government peanut butter was ever useful for as, thick as spackling, you couldn't even spread it on bread. It lent a certain flavor that none of the name brand peanut butters can quite achieve. They sure were delicious!
Before you spread them in the pan, try adding about half a bag of chocolate chips as well. Don's mess too much or the chips will melt, but that's not bad either! Double yum!
thanks for posting this recipe. it sounds so yummy. I look forward to making it for my peanut butter loving husband 🙂
O Yeah! Your Krispies treats are totally different from mine. I'm not an American, my husband is, so I'm trying to learn all those foods that he likes or he used to have as a child. I'm curious myself how it tastes! So far I've learnd so many different ways to use Peanut Butter. That's just crazy 😉
The next thing I've dicovered are Rice Krispies…
Anyway, thanks for sharing this recipe, looks delicious!
I've never thought of adding peanut butter to these, good idea and yum!
Yum…this is one of my childhood favorite! So glad you put peanut butter in it for a twist! 🙂 I'm going to try it soon.
Oh Yummy! All the big "little" kids around here just love thesePeanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats.
I'm a peanut butter fan so I will definitely try these.
Made to your recipe – absolutely yum!!
This recipe looks delicious. I do something similar using mars chocolate bars, and my kids love them. I will give you the recipe in the near future. Thank you for sharing this recipe version with us.
Delicious! Rice crispie treats are our favorite but add peanut butter and oh my!!!
So, so good! Who knew something so simple would be so awesome!
The throwback pictures are priceless!
I love peanut butter and the husband loves rice krispies – these sound like a match made in heaven!
I've never had a peanut butter rice crispy treat. I don't know why because it's such a good idea!
Definitely 5 stars on this recipe!
I'm loving your PB Rice Krispys and your blog!!!
My mother loved peanut butter, and she passed on her PB love to me. (Thank goodness there no peanut allergies in our family.) She did make PB fudge, but never the Rice Krispy treats. I can't believe that I've never made them before. These are amazing!
Gotta love the '80's! I had hair like that once!
Thank you for visiting my blog! Come back to visit any time..never know what I'll be up to!
I'm following yours now too!
You're making me very nostalgic myself lately! Doesn't help that I haven't seen my parents or brother in 2 years… 🙁 I'm going to be making some old family favorites myself this week!
Like others, I have never come across a PB Krispy treat, nor would I have thought it up. But these were AWESOME!!!
These were awesome and I didn’t change a thing!
I know four little boys who will love your krispy treats. I'm new to your blog and I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed my first visit here. I've been browsing through your earlier entries and really love the food and recipes you feature here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
So good!!
I better close this page asap or i have to make these treats right now. my husband loves peanut butter and these are definitely going to trigger his sweet tooth.
very touching post..and I love the hair 🙂
What a lovely post! These are a favorite-second only to Scotcharoos!!!
These look wonderful! I love PB fudge, but I don't think I've every tried adding it to the Rice Krispie Treats! I've got to give it a try.
Thanks for sharing.
~Holly
Another great recipe 🙂
I love these PB Rice Krispies Treats. This is the best recipe I have ever made for these!
Love this twist on one of my favorites!
I love your peanut-butter rice krispies..they look fantastic!
Oh my gosh! These were the best krispy treats I have ever made!
Great blog!
Mateja – I believe Marshmallow Fluff is gelatin free. I'm pretty sure the Jet-Puffed brand of marshmallow creme is gelatin free. You would probably have to use a whole jar of it to replace the amount of marshmallows used in this recipe. Still add the butter though. I hope this helps.
I am a huge PB lover, but surprisingly have never tried adding it to Rice Krispy Treats! This is on my "must make" list for the next time I make goodies!
Ive made these peanut butter rice krispie treats then frost with choc frosting they are so yummy
80's were my "growing pains" years too! Ohhh so long ago, can't even imagine that this summer will be already 25 years since I graduated from high school! Love the pics! We all love the Rice Krispie Treats, but we have a problem with gelatin that is an ingredient in marshmallows. Is there anything else I could use instead, maybe a thick simple syrup?
Hey, Mateja,
My sister just convinced my partner and I to bring home these marshmallows she bought- the brand is Dandies- they are marketed as “all-natural” and vegan because they do not contain gelatin. I’m guessing she found them at Whole Foods. I haven’t tried the recipe with them, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. Just wanted to share that info.
These look amazing……I have to make them. What a great story too. My husband does the "swan man" on me practically smashing my lungs, so I understand the whole steamroll thing:) And the hair……I love it! Man them 80's were something else:) Thanks for the great recipe:)
Thanks for the great comments everyone! I guess this post totally gives away my age, but hey, it is what it is. I'm not growing older, just wiser (I hope!) Haley – glad you get my sense of humor!
this recipe looks great. I'll be trying it for my children. thank you for your wonderful comments at my blog. I hope you enjoy the pulled pork if you give it a try!
Make with coco Krispies…. Just saying…..mmmmm