Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars

Peanut butter rice krispie treats add a delicious sweet-salty twist to elevate a childhood classic. Through countless batches and recipe testing in my home kitchen, we’ve perfected the ratio of marshmallow to peanut butter to create soft and chewy bars with a rich, nutty flavor that make them truly irresistible.

We love no bake dessert recipes in our house, especially during the summertime. And after a lifetime of loving classic rice krispie bars (thanks mom!), and 20+ years of making all kinds of different twists on the classic, we absolutely can’t get enough of this peanut butter version. The peanut butter adds complexity and depth of flavor that appeals to both kids and adults alike. They’re still perfectly gooey and crispy, but with a more sophisticated flavor profile.

And because these quick and easy bars always impress, they’re great for potlucks, tailgates, bake sales, and as an after-school treat. So if you’re a peanut butter lover (like we are!), this recipe deserves a spot in your regular dessert rotation. For more tested and perfected cereal bar variations from my kitchen, be sure to try our homemade scotcheroos, cocoa krispie treats, fruity pebbles treats, and easy s’mores bars recipes too!

Why you’ll love these Peanut Butter Krispie Treats

Super easy to make! A great entry-level recipe to try.

Great peanut butter flavor. Peanut butter is the star of these Rice Krispie bars. They kind of give you a bit of a fluffernutter vibe with the combination of the peanut butter and marshmallow.

Ready to enjoy in 30 minutes! This includes time to make the peanut butter Rice Krispie treat recipe and allow for them to cool and set up too!

What you’ll need to make Peanut Butter Rice Crispy

• Rice Krispies Cereal (or Puffed Rice Cereal)
• Mini Marshmallows
• Butter
• Creamy Peanut Butter
• *Optional: Vanilla Extract

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Why is the Vanilla Extract Option in These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats?

I’ve made this recipe with and without vanilla extract, and have decided to write it in as optional. If you want more of a peanut butter punch to your treats, leave the vanilla out. If you want a more mild peanut butter flavor, add the vanilla to balance the flavors out. Both ways are delicious, but they end up being pretty different!

How to make Rice Krispie Treats with Peanut Butter

Melt the marshmallows with the butter and peanut butter: Place the marshmallows, butter, and peanut butter in a large microwave safe bowl, and microwave in 30 second increments. Stir after each 30 second increment to coat the marshmallows in the butter and peanut butter. Repeat until marshmallows are poofy and melted. This will take approximately 3-4 rounds (or 1.5-2 minutes) to complete, depending on your microwave.

Note: If you are adding the option vanilla, stir in after the marshmallows have been melted

Note: You can also do this on the stovetop if you prefer! First melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Then add the marshmallows and peanut butter and stir continuously until melted.

Stir in your Rice Krispie cereal: Stir in 5 cups of puffed rice cereal until evenly distributed. If additional cereal is desired to obtain your perfect cereal-to-marshmallow ratio, stir in up to 1 additional cup of cereal.

Make your bars: Gently press the cereal and marshmallow mixture into a 9×13 pan with a clean rubber scraper. Note: Option to line with parchment paper if you plan to remove the bars from the pan prior to cutting/serving.

Let your bars set up: Let your Rice Krispie peanut butter treats set up for 20-30 minutes before cutting.

Serve and enjoy!