These peanut butter rice krispies treats for two made in a bread loaf pan are so sweet and delicious. Super fast to make--they're crunchy, sweet and chewy rice krispie treats made with peanut butter and mini marshmallows. They're made in a loaf pan for a small batch serving, but you can double and use an 8" square pan instead.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Well, the time has come to introduce Camille to rice crispy treats. I realized this the other day when she was eating an unsalted dry rice cake and referred to it as a 'rice krispies treat.'
It was like a slap in the face as a parent. My kid actually thought a rice crispy treat was an unsalted rice cake/ hockey puck spread with all-natural sugar-free peanut butter infused with flax seed. Someone lock me up. I'm clearly an unfit parent, and am ruining this kid's life.
The even sadder part is that I make peanut butter rice krispies treats all the time, but I eat them in the pantry while hiding from her.
So, I pulled out the marshmallows and began to make my small batch of rice krispie treats.
But, being the mother that I am, I had to include some kind of healthy thing in there. It's just who I am. So, I plopped in some peanut butter for protein, you know? I don't know why I never thought of this before, but DANG, peanut butter in rice krispies treats is incredible.
Camille tasted her first real rice crispy treat, and now I know she'll never go back to the other version. It's okay, childhood is for marshmallows and nutritionally devoid cereal, right? As a child of the 80s, I've had my fair share of both--it's safe to say.
Sometimes, I add sprinkles on top for her, because nothing says love like sprinkles to a toddler. I typically hand her a small ramekin with sprinkles instead of giving her the entire sprinkles jar, otherwise they quickly turn into sprinkles treats!
Ingredients
- Butter. Unsalted or salted butter works, no real difference here because we're only using 2 tablespoons.
- Peanut Butter. The best peanut butter to use is a regular, plain peanut butter. I don't like the ones that require stirring, or ones that have oil separated out on the surface. Regular, plain peanut butter is what you're looking for.
- Marshmallows. You can use mini marshmallows or regular large marshmallows. You need 5 ounces total, which is 22 big marshmallows or 2 ½ cups of minis. If you're looking for peanut butter Rice Krispie treats without marshmallows, try my healthy rice krispie treat recipe.
- Crisp Rice Cereal. You know the one I'm talking about, right?
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Gather ingredients: butter, peanut butter, marshmallows of choice, and the cereal. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper in just one direction. Give all sides a quick spray with cooking spray.
- In a small sauce pan, melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat. Take your time, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
- Once everything is fully melted and homogenous, add the cereal. Stir quickly to bring everything together (it becomes stiff and harder to stir quickly).
- Press the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, and let cool for one very long hour before serving. To serve, lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and cut into 2-4 pieces.
Can I double this recipe?
If you're new around here, I make small batch desserts; you probably knew this though, right. I made these peanut butter rice krispie treats in a 9" bread loaf pan. You can slice them into 3 thick bars or 4 pieces, either way, and you still don't have an entire tray of them on your counter tempting you. Personally, in my house, we cut these bars in two and each of us enjoys a giant bakery-sized rice krispies treat.
However, you can absolutely DOUBLE THIS RECIPE and make it in an 8" square baking pan, the same pan you use for brownies and blondies.
Are peanut butter Rice Krispie treats healthy?
Um, well, in my opinion, no. There is protein in the peanut butter, but they contain a lot of sugar. However, this recipe is small portion, so you'll have less tempting dessert to eat.
Can I add a chocolate ganache on top?
You absolutely can; what a great idea! Use the recipe from my mini chocolate cake for the ganache topping. But also: don't miss the chocolate version of these rice krispies treats! --> Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats!
Peanut butter rice krispie treats for two in a bread loaf pan. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 324Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 242mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 5g
Kelcy B. says
To be fair, nothing says love like sprinkles PERIOD.
Bethany says
Looks yummy! I hope these made up for the fact she slept through choosing ballet slippers!
Christina Lane says
haha, Bethany! We woke her up. She wasn't happy about it at first, but then she saw all the big girls trying on dance shoes :)
Rosa says
My daughter has braces so I have not been able to make these....because the temptation would be too strong for her. I actually was craving a treat and bought one.....these would and will be soooo much better. I will only have a small batch that i’d have to hide from her. ????????
Krystal says
Any midwesterners here? - scotcheroos, guys. Peanut butter rice krispy bars with chocolate on top. (Which to be honest, I always scraped most of the chocolate off anyway as I'm not a huge fan. I like my peanut butter with just the hint of chocolate.)
Scotcheroos aren't generally made with marshmallows though. Sugar, peanut butter, corn syrup, boiled together (the epitome of healthy, of course.) Mixed with the cereal and then topped with a half/half mix of chocolate and butterscotch chips.
Anybody who didn't grow up with these is always so sad when I introduce them to the deliciousness ... "where has this been all my life??". Luckily with the advent of the internet, it's slowly becoming less of a regional treat and becoming more universal.
I'm curious how the bars would differ using marshmallows rather than the corn syrup mixture. I might have to give it a try. Then I might also need to create a scaled down scotcheroo recipe too. Not that I couldn't happily eat my share of a big batch. And friends are never sad when I share. :)
Christina Lane says
It's a Midwestern thing? No way! I thought it was a Southern thing! I use butterscotch chips in mine. I actually have a recipe for them on the site already.... :) https://www.dessertfortwo.com/scotcheroos/
Krystal says
Ooh sweet! The work has been done for me. Because you’re amazing like that. Must make soon! And having it be a Midwestern thing, I’m not sure. I know when I left the Midwest nobody had ever heard of them. And now I live in North Carolina and zero people knew what they were (they have all been converted into Scotcheroo Lovers now, of course.) i wonder where exactly they did originate?
Emily says
I made these today and they were perfect! I added a healthy does of sea salt and mini chocolate chips (so they didn't melt, I poured the mallow-pb-cereal mixture into a bowl until it cooled slightly - then I mixed in cold chocolate chips, and pressed it into the loaf pan). I cut them into about 20 (roughly) 1-inch squares - I'm planning on bagging them up for friends, but may need to make another batch so I have enough! The little squares are so gooey and peanutty...I can't stop eating them!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
lol stop you're the best mom ever hahaa. And seriously I love the idea of putting pb in rice krispie treats HOW have I never done that, either??! I seriously need to, these look amazing!
Christy says
Question is...did you use the flax infused sugar-free peanut butter in these treats? :)
(I'm also asking because I wonder if it would detract from them to use natural PB bc that's what I already have lol)
Katie Rosario says
Hi Christina! Thank you for the awesome recipe! My niece would love this. I do have a question have you ever used cinnamon chips in this recipe? I just discovered them and want to put them in everything lol! Thanks! xo, Katie
Christina Lane says
I haven't used them, but I've seen them! Do they melt easily?
Monica says
Just made these today...they are wonderful! I topped them with some mini chocolate chips and m&m's. They really are 'dangerously' yummy. Have also made your chocolate rice krispie treats (for V-day, I topped them with some sprinkles...I think Camille would approve?) and that is awesome as well. Can't decide which we like more! Thanks as always for your wonderful recipes, Christina!
Lee says
You have taken me back 50 yrs! My mom used to make a thin layer in a larger pan, cut it into two equal sheets. Then she spread softened vanilla ice cream on one krispie layer, topped it with the other krispie layer and refroze it. She cut it into ice cream sandwich bars to serve. My favorite!!
Christina Lane says
Oh I"m so glad, Lee! And that sounds like the best ice cream sandwich ever! :)