By: Jill Mills Posted: Aug 14, 2025

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Creamy peanut butter is combined with crisped rice cereal and gooey melted marshmallows to make these irresistible Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. With no baking required, these are a fun treat the entire family will love.

Serving a peanut butter rice krispie treat

I’ve made many variations of Rice Krispie treats over the years, from classic homemade Rice Krispie treats to festive reindeer Rice Krispie treats. These peanut butter Rice Krispie treats, though, remain a family favorite. This is one of the most request no-bake desserts in my house!

Why We Love This Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Peanut butter! I’ll start with the obvious. The peanut butter lovers in my family love these Rice Krispie treats because, well…peanut butter! The gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, and creamy peanut butter is such a great combo.
No baking required. One of my favorite things about this recipe is that I don’t have to turn on the oven. Just melt the marshmallows on the stove, combine the ingredients, transfer to the pan, and let them cool. Easy peasy.
An easy snack. Rice Krispie treats were one of my boys’ favorite lunchbox treats growing up. Now these peanut butter Rice Krispie treats remain one of their favorite afternoon snacks. I’m a big fan too!

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make peanut butter rice krispie treats

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the 6 ingredients needed to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Butter – Be sure to use unsalted butter to fully control the flavors.
Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows work best in these treats because they melt faster and more evenly.
Creamy peanut butter – Swap creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
Vanilla extract – Adds just a light flavor to complement the peanut butter.
Crispy rice cereal – Feel free to use brand-name Rice Krispies or the store brand.
Kosher salt – Balances out the sweetness from the marshmallows.

How To Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

I love that making these requires such minimal effort on my part! The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Overhead view of melted marshmallows in a pan

Folding crisped rice cereal into melted marshmallows

Prep. Grease the pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
Melt the marshmallows. Melt the butter over low heat. Add 5 1/2 cups of marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
Combine the ingredients. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt then gently fold in the cereal until it’s evenly coated. Stir in the remaining marshmallows.
Transfer to the pan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan in an even layer with a greased spatula. Do not press too hard or the treats will be too dense.
Cool. Cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours or refrigerate for 30-40 minutes. Then slice into squares and enjoy!

A peanut butter rice krispie treat on a cutting board

Tips & Variations

Here are a few things to keep in mind while making peanut butter rice krispie treats, as well as a few variations.

Stir the marshmallows. While the marshmallows are melting, it’s important to stir them constantly to prevent them from burning or sticking.
Grease the pan well. These treats will stick to the bottom of the pan so be sure to grease it will. I like to line it with parchment paper and leave an overhang to easily lift them when.
Add another flavor. Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or chopped peanut butter cups for an extra layer of flavor. Include these along with the whole mini marshmallows so they don’t melt entirely. Another flavor idea is to mix in some maple syrup or honey!
Add a decorative finish. Drizzle melted milk chocolate, semi-sweet or dark chocolate (or even extra peanut butter) over the top before the treats cool for a decorative finish.
Make it peanut-free. Almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower butter are great alternatives if you need a peanut-free option.
Double the recipe. Adjust the recipe quantities as needed to fit into a larger pan. Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Two peanut butter rice krispie treats, one with a bite missing

Proper Storage

Room temperature. Store the peanut butter Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best results, keep them away from heat and humidity.
Freezer. You can freeze the treats for up to 1 month. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before eating.

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