Try a new twist on a classic favorite with 🥜Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats featuring a rich, nutty brown butter base. These irresistible treats combine the crispy,
airy texture of rice cereal with the creamy flavor of peanut butter, all elevated by the deep, toasty notes of browned butter. Perfect for a quick dessert,
an afternoon snack, or even a fun addition to your holiday treat platter, these no-bake treats are as easy to make as they are delicious. They will surely become a family favorite!
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- Grease a bowl and a 9x13-inch pan with butter. Set aside 1 cup of marshmallows.
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Cook on low, stirring until brown specks form. Stir in peanut butter.
- Off heat, add remaining marshmallows, vanilla, and salt. Stir until smooth. Heat on low if needed.
- Add rice cereal and fold to coat. Stir in reserved marshmallows.
- Press the mixture into the pan. Cool 15-20 minutes. Cut into 15 squares.
- Serve the same day for the best taste and texture.
Camila's Tips
- When browning the butter, keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. The transition from golden brown to burnt can happen quickly.
- Work quickly when folding in the rice cereal and marshmallows to ensure even distribution before the mixture cools and hardens.
- Lightly butter your spatula or use the butter wrappers when pressing the mixture into the pan to prevent sticking.
- For extra flavor, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the treats.
- Mix in chocolate chips along with the rice cereal for added texture and flavor.
- Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or any nut butter of your choice. For best results, I recommend using commercial types for a more consistent texture.
See More Favorite Recipes:
- Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Blueberry-baked oatmeal
- Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
- Coconut pineapple bars
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 170 g (1½ sticks) unsalted butter
- 130 g smooth peanut butter ( I recommend Jif Creamy Peanut Butter; do not use freshly ground)
- Two 283-g bags mini marshmallows , divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 250 g Rice Krispies or crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Lightly grease a large bowl and a 9 x 13-inch pan with softened butter. Set aside 1 cup of marshmallows.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, preferably with a light bottom so you can monitor the color, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until it starts to foam, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant silicone spatula, until the bubbling stops and tiny brown specks (milk solids) begin to turn golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- As soon as the butter smells nutty and turns a deep golden brown, turn off the heat. ⚠️ Keep a close eye on it here. You want those tiny brown specks to go from golden to deep golden brown, but not black. Stir in the peanut butter.
- Off the heat, add the remaining marshmallows, vanilla, and salt to the melted butter. Stir to combine. Turn the heat back on low and stir until all the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth. Transfer the mixture to the prepared bowl. (If your pot is large enough, you can mix the rice cereal and marshmallows directly in it, as long as there's plenty of room to fold everything together.)
- Add the rice cereal and fold to combine until the cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture. Quickly fold in the sprinkles and reserved marshmallows, gently stirring just enough to distribute them throughout the cereal mixture. Avoid overmixing to maintain pockets of gooey marshmallows.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer using a buttered spatula or butter paper. Let cool until firm, 15 to 20 minutes, then cut into 3 rows of 5 squares to make 15 treats total.
- For the freshest taste and perfect texture, serve these bars on the same day they're made.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.