Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are an EASY spin on original rice crispy treats!  Mixing peanut butter in the cereal bars and drizzling more on top is irresistible! 

My family loves making variations of this classic no-bake dessert for parties, family meals, snacks, school parties.  Living in Ohio we call these Buckeye Rice Crispy Treats too!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Indulge in the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter with our delectable Rice Krispie treats.

Crunchy, gooey, and utterly delicious, these mouthwatering treats are a bit richer than our Reeses Puff Cereal Bars with similar flavors. Both recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!

Get ready to experience a harmonious blend of flavors in every bite. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are sure to become your new favorite treat.

We like to take a really good easy cereal bar recipe and put a slight twist on the classic.  Using chocolate rice krispies and adding some peanut butter into the melting marshmallows is a delicious base.

My childhood was marked by rice crispy treats for school parties, after school snacks and a simple dessert to share at parties.  I have many fond memories of the times we enjoyed crispy rice treats, so I love making them for my kids too! 

We use the original rice krispie recipe in our Halloween Treats and Valentine’s Day Treats, then we amped up the flavor in our Creamy Crispy Cookie Treats.  We have fun serving these cereal bar treats with our unicorn drink inspired recipe.

Ingredients Needed:

• Chocolate Rice Krispies – or a generic cocoa crispy rice cereal works fine too.
• Mini Marshmallows – make sure they’re fresh for best results!
• Peanut Butter – creamy is the only kind we use in this recipe.
• Butter – Helps the marshmallows melt and stick to the cereal.
• Peanut Butter Baking Chips – the Reese’s brand in the orange bag is what we usually find at the store.
• Vegetable Oil – helps the baking chips melt smoothly to be able to distribute over the cereal bars

The Peanut Butter Topping

We love using Reese’s peanut butter chips to create a sweet and beautiful finish.

Melt the baking chips using a ratio of one cup of baking chip to one tablespoon of vegetable oil. 

Our family prefers somewhere between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup of melted chips drizzled over our rice crispy treats.  The amount of drizzle is really easy to adjust based on your preferences.

Melted peanut butter can be drizzled over the top if the baking chips are not available.

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate & Peanut Butter Treats

1. Melt butter in large dutch oven pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter starts to melt add marshmallows
2. Turn to low heat and stir until butter and marshmallows are combined.
3. Add peanut butter and stir often.
4. Once the mixture is combined remove from heat and stir in 2 to 3 cups of cereal at a time.
5. Pour into a greased 9 x 13″ pan and spread evenly with wet fingers. Let cool before cutting and serving.
6. Melt peanut butter chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Use microwave for 15-second intervals until melted. Use a tablespoon to drizzle over top of rice Krispie treats.

Step By Step Instructions

Before beginning open box of cereal and measure out.

Coat a 9 x 13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray. Once the marshmallows melt they will quickly burn or set up once removed from the heat, so being prepared will serve you well.

Using a large pot set the stove top to medium heat and add butter.

Once butter has begun to melt add peanut butter and stir together until melted.

Then add mini marshmallows and stir often until all marshmallows are coated with the creamy peanut butter filling.

If marshmallows are melting too fast then turn the heat down.

Otherwise continue to stir almost constantly and monitor the pot closely.

Once marshmallows are nearly melted remove from the heat and add cereal.

Using a long handled, firm wooden spoon stir well.

As quickly as possible pour into the 9 x 13″ pan.

With clean, wet fingers press the top into a smooth, flat layer.

Add peanut butter baking chips and oil to a small bowl and microwave for 20 to 30 second intervals stirring between each interval until the chips are melted.

Use a tablespoon to drizzle in a pattern that pleases you over the top.

Let the cereal bars cool for about 20 – 30 minutes before cutting with a butter knife and serving!

Tips for Making Buckeye Rice Krispie Treats

• Mini marshmallows melt the quickest, but any shape of marshmallow can be used
• Creamy peanut butter work much better than crunchy peanut butter in this recipe
• I tested both name brand and generic chocolate crispy rice cereal and could not tell a difference
• The secret ingredient that really pulls this chocolate and peanut butter rice krispie recipe together is this common baking chip.
• Peanut butter chips can be sprinkled on top instead of drizzling if you are in a hurry – the flavor will be the same, only the look will change
• If you like the Ohio State University Buckeyes call these Buckeye treats and make them every time OSU plays ball!

Other Easy No-Bake Desserts

• Pay Day Crunch
• Easy Christmas Tree Treats
• White Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
• Captain Crunch Cereal Bars
• No-Bake Cereal Bars
• Best Ever Sctocheroos

Originally shared on October 10, 2019 with pictures updated on June 14, 2023.