Salted Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Published: Aug 30, 2021 by Allison · 36 Comments

These salted Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats are a delicious twist on the classic dessert. Serve these gooey bars as-is or top with chocolate-peanut butter frosting. This easy no-bake recipe is loved by adults and kids alike!

Closeup of a gooey peanut butter rice krispies treat topped with flaky sea salt.

Sweet, salty, sticky, gooey, quick, and easy. This recipe checks all the boxes. We have been loving these peanut butter Rice Krispies treats. They’re great as an after school snack, a late night treat, or anytime you need something sweet and satisfying.

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Recipe overview

This recipe uses the usual Rice Krispies treats components: Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and butter. The addition of peanut butter, vanilla extract, and flaky sea salt adds a little something extra. There’s also an optional chocolate-peanut butter topping if you really want to take these over the top.

Here’s how to make them:

Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and stir until well combined. Add the Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Dump the mixture into a greased 8×8 or 9×9 pan and gently press into an even layer.

Ingredients for peanut butter rice krispies treats: rice krispies, marshmallows, peanut butter, butter, chocolate chips.

Peanut butter rice krispies in a large saucepan with a white spatula.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Extra gooey – I use less Rice Krispies treats than the traditional recipe. This creates a more sticky-gooey consistency.

Peanut butter – The addition of peanut butter adds a subtle peanut buttery flavor to every bite.

Sweet + salty – Using salted butter and finishing the recipe with a sprinkling of flaky salt creates a fantastic salty-sweet balance.

Fast and easy – This no-bake recipe comes together in under 10 minutes.

Stack of three peanut butter rice krispies treats topped with chocolate frosting.

Chocolate peanut butter topping

Want to take these bars over the top? A combination of melted peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and peanut butter makes the perfect topping. Pour this mixture over the Rice Krispies treats and allow it to cool until set (a few hours).

Recipe tips

When melting the butter and marshmallows be sure to stir frequently so they don’t burn.
Use an emulsified peanut butter, not a natural peanut butter with oil on top.
Once you add the Rice Krispies to the melted marshmallow work quickly. The mixture will thicken as it begins to cool.
Add flaky sea salt on top for a sweet and salty flavor.
When pressing the Rice Krispies treats into the pan don’t pack them in too tight.
Just like all Rice Krispies treats these will dry out over time. I recommend making them the day you are serving them. Leftovers (without the chocolate topping) can be microwaved for a few seconds to make them soft and gooey again.

Closeup of peanut butter rice krispies treat topped with flaky sea salt.

More peanut butter recipes:

Recipe

Salted Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats

These salted Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats are a delicious twist on the classic dessert. Serve these gooey bars as-is or top with a chocolate-peanut butter frosting. This easy no-bake recipe is loved by adults and kids alike!

4.67 from 18 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 217kcal

Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

Topping (optional):

Instructions

Grease an 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish.
In a large (preferably non-stick) saucepan over medium-low heat melt butter and marshmallows, stirring frequently. Once melted immediately add peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until combined. Remove from heat and stir in the Rice Krispies.
Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish and gently press into an even layer. If using the chocolate topping proceed below. If not using the chocolate topping, sprinkle the top of the treats with flaky sea salt and allow to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Topping (optional):

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until completely melted and smooth. Pour over the top of the bars and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Allow to cool for several hours, until the topping is set.

Notes

Nutrition facts do not include the optional topping.The more you pack the mixture down into the pan the more dense the bars will be. For a lighter bar, press gently.Just like all Rice Krispies treats these will dry out over time. I recommend making them the day you are serving them. Leftovers (without the chocolate topping) can be microwaved for a few seconds to make them soft and gooey again.