No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Sweet and nutty peanut butter bars with crisp rice cereal, perfect for a quick and easy no-bake dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 10 minutes layers unsalted butter, smooth peanut butter, mini marshmallows into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter together with 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, stirring until smooth and combined.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups mini marshmallows to the peanut butter mixture and stir continuously until marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Immediately add 6 cups rice krispies cereal to the mixture, folding gently with a spatula until all cereal is coated in the peanut butter marshmallow mixture.
- Step 5: Press the mixture firmly and evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan using a buttered spatula or wax paper to avoid sticking.
- Step 6: Let the treats cool at room temperature for about 1 hour until set before cutting into 12 squares and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
