Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Sometimes the best kind of treats are the ones you haven’t made in FOREVER. That includes the very famous, classic rice krispies that were always in lunch boxes and at your aunt’s house during family birthday parties. I created this new version back in 2018 and haven’t stopped making them since.

Man, I loved those sweet little marshmallow pull apart oozy-gooey sticky bars more than anything. One time I ate so many individual treats out of those bright blue wrappers that I ended up with a stomach ache for two days straight. I also remember eating the rice krispie cereal straight from the cereal box. Handfuls upon handfuls and another stomach ache later, I was sure I was done with rice krispie treats for GOOD.

Years later at a friend’s house, I discovered something known as ‘Special K’ bars. These bars were a combination of butter, peanut butter, butterscotch, and Special K cereal in a bar, then and topped with semi-sweet chocolate + butterscotch chips. No mini marshmallows involved! These too became another favorite treat I could eat without any control. #oops #savage

Now that I’m into full blown adulthood (and a food blogger!) I’ve LOVED bringing you my favorite childhood meals & desserts with healthier, simple twists. It’s a great way to still enjoy your favorite foods but also make more nutritious choices.

So what are these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats exactly? A combination of a rice krispie treat and a special k bar. There’s no refined sugar or marshmallows involved and the bars are made with only 6 ingredients (or 7 if you make them with a little protein powder!).

Ingredients in healthy peanut butter rice krispie treats

You just need a handful of simple ingredients to make these quick peanut butter rice krispie bars. I find that they’re easier to make than classic rice krispie treats because they’re not overly sticky. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Peanut butter: to help keep these healthy rice krispie treats together without using marshmallows. Any nut butter should work well — feel free to use cashew butter or almond butter! Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15‘ to get 15% off of my fav nut butter brand, Wild Friends.
• Coconut oil: unrefined coconut oil has a slight coconut flavor that adds a subtle sweetness to these bars and helps the filling stay together. It also keeps the bars dairy-free! You can also sub melted butter or vegan butter.
• Maple syrup: for an all natural sweetness we’re adding a little pure maple syrup. You can sub honey or brown rice syrup as well.
• Vanilla extract: extra delicious flavor! Not necessary, but always delish. Learn how to make your own vanilla here!
• Rice Krispies: feel free to use regular or brown rice krispies. If you need these to be gluten free, remember to check your labels to ensure the crispy rice cereal you’re using is certified gluten free.
• OPTIONAL: for a boost of protein, you can add a little collagen (or your favorite protein powder). Read more here about why I love collagen.
• Dark chocolate bar: you can use a fun flavor of choice, classic milk chocolate, or a regular dark chocolate bar. I love Divine, Theo, Hu, Evolved and Alter Eco brands. To make these bars vegan, use a vegan/dairy free dark chocolate. Chocolate chips will also work well.

Optional ingredient swaps

Out of a few ingredients? These peanut butter rice krispie treats are easy to customize! Here’s what I can recommend:

• For peanut butter: as I mentioned, feel free to use cashew, almond, or, to keep them nut free, sunflower butter. You may need to add an extra 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil.
• For the coconut oil: you may use butter or vegan butter.
• For the maple syrup: feel free to use honey, brown rice syrup, or coconut syrup.

How to make peanut butter rice krispie treats without marshmallows

1. Mix the wet ingredients. Place a medium pot over low heat and add in peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined, about 1 minute.
2. Make the “batter.” Next add in the protein powder (optional) and crispy brown rice cereal; stir until combined and cereal is completely coated.
3. Prep your pan. Pour the mixture into a pan lined with parchment paper (I prefer this to cooking spray), and use a spatula to flatten the top so it is even.
4. Add the chocolate. Melt your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals or on the stovetop over low heat until it’s smooth and creamy. Pour the melted chocolate over the bars and tilt your pan so that they’re evenly coated.
5. Refrigerate & devour. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the bars are completely cool and the chocolate is solid. Sprinkle bars with fancy sea salt then cut into 16 bars and enjoy!

Storing homemade rice krispie treats

1. In the fridge: store these bars covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to eat them, just let them come to room temp for about 5 minutes so that they soften a bit.
2. In the freezer: yes, you can freeze these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats! Place them in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container. I’d recommend separating the bars with parchment wax paper as well. When you’re ready to eat them, let the bars thaw in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature as described above.

To be honest, these are one of my new FAVORITE no bake treats EVER. They’re so easy to make, ready in less than 30 minutes and taste like a combination between a peanut butter cup and a rice krispie treat. I had a few people over after I made these and they were completely gone before the night was over.

P.S. Don’t forget to sprinkle them with a little sea salt for a sweet and salty treat!

See how to make the healthy rice krispie treats

More no bake treats to try

Get all of my no bake treats here!

If you try these peanut butter rice krispie treats, be sure to rate it below and let me know how you liked them. And of course, don’t forget to snap a photo and tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. xo!

Post originally from June 2018, republished March 2020, and republished on July 5th, 2023.