Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Introduction

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are a delightful twist on the classic marshmallow snack. With rich brown butter, creamy peanut butter, and a touch of vanilla, these treats offer a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. They’re easy to make and a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (or cookie butter!)
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal

Instructions

1. Step 1: Lightly grease a 9×9 pan with baking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Brown the butter in a large, light-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula or wooden spoon to prevent milk solids from sticking. Watch for the butter to foam, then subside, and finally turn chestnut brown with a nutty aroma.
3. Step 3: Immediately add 6 cups of mini marshmallows to the browned butter. Stir until melted, then remove from heat and turn off the burner.
4. Step 4: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt, followed by the peanut butter. Mix until smooth and combined.
5. Step 5: Add the Rice Krispie Cereal to the mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. The mixture will be sticky; continue stirring until well combined.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows, mixing just until distributed. This creates pockets of soft marshmallow throughout.
7. Step 7: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Using the back of a butter wrapper or a greased spatula, gently press down the mixture—avoid compacting too tightly for the best texture.
8. Step 8: Garnish the top with flaky sea salt or drizzle with melted dark chocolate for added flavor and texture.
9. Step 9: Let the treats cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Cover them if left out for longer than an hour.
10. Step 10: Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, try using natural peanut butter or swap in cookie butter for a unique twist.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the mix for extra texture.
• Use parchment paper overlapping the pan edges to easily lift bars out without breaking.
• Lightly pressing the mixture rather than compacting helps keep the treats airy and chewy.

Storage

Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator up to a week. If refrigerated, let the treats come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Avoid freezing as the texture may change upon thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter works well and adds a nice texture to the treats. Just be sure to stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.

How can I make these treats nut-free?

Simply omit the peanut butter or substitute it with a seed butter like sunflower seed butter to keep the recipe nut-free while maintaining creaminess.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

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4.4 from 96 reviews

These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats combine the nostalgic crunch of classic Rice Krispies with the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter and creamy peanut butter. Enhanced with a hint of vanilla and salt, plus pockets of mini marshmallows throughout, these treats are a deliciously chewy, gooey snack perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (cut into 2x2 inch pieces) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (or cookie butter)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 9×9-inch pan with baking spray or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the treats later. Set aside.
2. Brown the Butter: In a large light-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir constantly with a heat-resistant spatula or wooden spoon to prevent the milk solids from sticking as the butter foams and then browns. Once the butter achieves a chestnut brown color and releases a nutty aroma, proceed immediately to the next step.
3. Melt Marshmallows: Add 6 cups of the mini marshmallows to the browned butter and stir continuously until completely melted, then remove the pot from heat and turn off the burner.
4. Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt to the melted marshmallow mixture, followed by the creamy peanut butter. Mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
5. Incorporate Cereal: Add the 6 cups of Rice Krispie Cereal to the mixture and fold in with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. The mixture will be very sticky; continue stirring until everything is well coated.
6. Add Remaining Marshmallows: Gently fold in the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows just until evenly distributed, leaving tiny pockets of marshmallow visible for texture.
7. Transfer and Press: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and gently press it down evenly using the back of the butter wrapper or a greased spatula. Avoid compacting the mixture too tightly to maintain a light, chewy texture.
8. Garnish: Optionally sprinkle flaky sea salt on top or drizzle melted dark chocolate for an extra layer of flavor and presentation.
9. Cool: Let the treats cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Cover them if leaving out for longer than an hour to prevent drying.
10. Cut and Serve: Lift the solidified treats out of the pan, place on a cutting board, cut into bars, and enjoy your delicious peanut butter-infused Rice Krispie treats!

Notes

• Using a light-bottomed pan helps evenly brown the butter without burning.
• For a variation, substitute creamy peanut butter with cookie butter for a different flavor profile.
• Press the mixture lightly into the pan rather than compacting hard to keep the treats airy and chewy.
• Storing in an airtight container will keep the treats fresh for up to 3 days.
• For gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free Rice Krispies cereal.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, Brown Butter Rice Krispies, Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars, Easy No Bake Dessert, Classic Rice Krispies Recipe