September 1, 2020

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy-Free)

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Last Updated on June 30, 2022 by Annie

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect balance of salty and sweet, crispy and chewy, peanut butter and chocolate. Marshmallow and melted peanut butter coat the crispy rice cereal for a salty meets sweet treat everyone will enjoy! Make this quick and delicious dairy-free dessert in a snap!

Cut squares of chocolate peanut butter rice krispies on a marble counter.

These decadent chocolate-covered rice krispie treats are a love letter to peanut butter and chocolate. With the base like a fluffernutter and a sweet chocolate topping, this is a treat you will not want to pass up!

I have to admit, my love for peanut butter and chocolate is new. I’d take a Thin Mint over a Tagalong and a chocolate bar over a Reese’s Cup any day. However, my husband argues the opposite. Knowing his affinity for chocolate and peanut butter desserts, I thought it might be about time to indulge that preference.

If you or someone you love is in the chocolate meets peanut butter fan club, these Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect no-bake dessert to make today!

Why We Love These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

I don’t think I could ever turn down a rice krispie treat. Some of the top reasons I love this peanut butter rice krispie treat version include…

  • Chocolate + Peanut Butter. The saltiness of the peanut butter and the creamy chocolate topping work together to make the perfect salty and sweet treat.
  • Easy to Make. Made with simple ingredients, these peanut butter rice krispie treats are a no-bake dessert that come together quickly.
  • Adaptable. Simply swap out the rice krispies for a gluten-free puffed rice option or change the marshmallows for a vegan alternative.
Twelve cut peanut butter rice krispie treats in 3 rows of 4 with one rice krispie turned on the side in each row to show the layer of chocolate with a peanut butter rice krispie base.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Plant-Based Butter- Melted with the peanut butter and the marshmallows, this vegan butter allows the treats to stick together without sticking to the pan.
  • Peanut Butter- Creamy and a little salty, a regular peanut butter works perfectly in this recipe.
  • Marshmallows- Melted with the peanut butter and the vegan butter, the marshmallows bind the treats together in chewy harmony.
  • Salt- Just a pinch helps bring out the saltiness of the peanut butter.
  • Rice Krispie Cereal– The delightful crunch of the rice krispies mixed with the salty peanut butter marshmallow goo are the hallmark of these classic treat.
  • Chocolate Topping– A melted mixture of dairy-free chocolate, peanut butter, and flaky sea salt top these delicious peanut butter rice krispie treats!
From left to right a glass bowl with rice krispie cereal, a glass bowl with marshmallows, a stone bowl with salt, a glass bowl with chocolate chips, 1 cup measuring cup with peanut butter and a half stick of vegan butter.

Simple Steps for Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

  • Melt: In a large pot over medium heat melt 4 tablespoons of vegan or plant-based butter with 1 cup peanut butter.
  • Toss in the marshmallows: Once melted add a 10oz bag of marshmallows and 1/8 teaspoon flaky sea salt.
A non-stick pan with melted peanut butter and marshmallows, with a black rubber spatula next to a stone bowl with salt.
A non-stick pot with melted peanut butter and marshmallows with a black rubber spatula next to a stone bowl with salt.
  • Remove from heat: When the marshmallows are just melted, remove from heat.
  • Add cereal: Next, stir in 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal.
  • Stir to coat with melted marshmallow/peanut buttery goodness!
Peanut butter rice kirspies in a non-stick pan with a spatula next to a stone bowl with salt.
Fully coated peanut butter rice krispies mixed in a non-stick pan next to a stone bowl with salt and a black rubber spatula above the pot.
Peanut butter rice krispies poured into a non-stick pan with a black rubber spatula to the left.
  • Press into pan: Pour the peanut butter rice krispies into a square dish and press evenly along the top.
  • Cool: Allow the rice krispies to cool while you prepare the chocolate topping.
Peanut butter rice krispies pressed into a copper pan with a black rubber spatula to the left.

MAKE THE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER TOPPING

This chocolate topping comes together quickly and easily in the microwave.

  • Heat chocolate: In a microwave safe bowl, pour a 10 oz bag of dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate.
  • Add peanut butter: Microwave for 30 seconds, remove from microwave and stir in 2 tablespoons peanut butter.
  • Heat again: Return the bowl back to the microwave and heat an additional 30 seconds.
  • Stir until smooth: Stir and heat a final 30 seconds if the chocolate is not completely melted.
A small glass bowl with melted chocolate and a small rubber spatula next to the peanut butter rice krispies.
  • Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter rice krispies.
  • Spread the chocolate topping to coat the top of the treats.
  • Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt. Place the dish of chocolate coated peanut butter rice krispie treats in the freezer for 10-20 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Chocolate coated peanut butter rice krispie treats in a copper pan on a marble counter.
  • Slice and serve: Once set, remove the rice krispies from the freezer and slice them into 16 pieces.
  • Store in a Tupperware or ziplock bag for up to 5 days.

Dairy-Free Changes

For this recipe, I used two different dairy-free swaps.

  • Plant-based Butter– I replaced traditional butter with a plant-based alternative. Typically I use Country Crock Plant-butter sticks since they melt just like traditional butter.
  • Chocolate Chips– Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with a free-from alternative. I have used Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips as well as Walmart and Kroger’s store brand free-from chocolate chips.

VEGAN AND GLUTEN-FREE SWAPS

You know I am ALL about the dairy-free life here, but I also recognize there are plenty of people who are dairy-free in addition to having other dietary restrictions. Here are a few swaps you can make in the recipe to stick to a vegan or gluten-free diet.

  • VEGAN– Swap the marshmallows out for a vegan marshmallow such as Dandies. They will not melt completely but will leave glorious pockets of marshmallowy goodness.
  • GLUTEN-FREE– Swap the Rice Krispies for the gluten-free rice krispies cereal or try Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice, which is gluten-free.

Storing Rice Krispie Treats

If you have made it a day without polishing off a tray of these addictive Rice Krispie Treats- gold star to you! Here are a few different ways to keep these peanut butter chocolate treats fresh.

  • Wrap individually in plastic wrap and keep for about 3 days.
  • Store sliced rice kripsie treats in an air-tight container such as a ziplock bag or a Tupperware for up to 3 days.
  • Keep the entire batch of Rice Krispies in the 8×8 pan and cover with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
Three chocolate coated peanut butter rice krispies in a row and the middle rice krispie turned on the side to show the chocolate layer on top and the peanut butter rice krispie on the bottom.

More Rice Krispie Treats

Did you try these delicious chocolate-coated peanut butter rice krispie treats?? I would love to hear how they went! Snap a picture of them and share them with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can share your life after dairy adventures! You can also leave a comment below to let me know how they went!

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Cut squares of chocolate peanut butter rice krispies on a marble counter.
Print

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Chocolate and peanut butter never tasted so good! This dairy-free peanut butter rice krispie treat is topped with a decadent chocolate coating!

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Chocolate, Dairy-Free, Peanut Butter, Rice Krispies
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Servings 16 treats

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies

  • 4 Tbsp. Vegan Butter
  • 1 c. Peanut Butter
  • 10 oz. Marshmallow
  • ⅛ tsp. Salt
  • 6 c. Rice Krispie Cereal

Chocolate Topping

  • 10 oz. Chocolate Chips dairy-free
  • 2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
  • Flaky Sea Salt to top

Instructions

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt vegan butter and peanut butter together.

  2. Once smooth, add marshmallows and salt. When the marshmallows are just melted remove from heat and stir in rice krispie cereal.

  3. Evenly coat the cereal in the peanut butter mixture and pour into a square baking dish. Allow to cool.

Chocolate Topping

  1. In a microwave safe bowl melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Stir every 30 seconds until smooth. Should take about 3 rounds of 30 seconds.

  2. Pour the chocolate coating over the top of the rice krispies and spread to coat the whole pan. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freeze about 30 minutes to set the chocolate. Remove from the freezer and cut into 16 pieces.

Recipe Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 

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Filed Under: Desserts, Rice Krispie Treats
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