Last weekend, Liam was helping me clean out the pantry when he found a half-empty box of Rice Krispies and asked if we could make something "that isn't just regular cereal." I remembered seeing a recipe for little cups made with chocolate and peanut butter that required no baking, which sounded great for a hot summer day when turning on the oven felt impossible.
These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups turned out to be exactly what we needed - something sweet and satisfying that comes together in about fifteen minutes with no heat required. The combination of crispy cereal, rich chocolate, and creamy peanut butter creates these little bite-sized treats that taste like a cross between a Reese's cup and a Rice Krispie treat. They're portable, kid-friendly, and disappear faster than we can make them.
Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups have become our go-to treat when we want something sweet but don't want to heat up the kitchen. The no-bake aspect is what really makes them practical - you can make them when it's too hot to bake, when you're in a hurry, or when you just don't feel like dealing with oven timers and temperatures. The texture is what keeps us coming back though - that combination of crunchy cereal and smooth chocolate-peanut butter mixture creates this satisfying contrast in every bite.
What I love most about this Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups is how it uses ingredients we usually have on hand. Rice Krispies, chocolate chips, and peanut butter are pantry staples in our house, so these cups can happen on a whim when we need a quick dessert or snack. Liam loves helping because there's no risk of burns from hot ovens, and the mixing part is fun without being messy. They're also portion-controlled since they're made in individual cups, which means no cutting or guessing about serving sizes. Plus, they keep well for days, so you can make a batch and have treats ready whenever you need them.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- Ingredients For Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- Step by Step Method
- Creative Twists on Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- Smart Swaps for Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- Equipment
- Storing Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- My Mother's Secret Worth Sharing
- Top Tip
- What to Serve With Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
- FAQ
- No-Bake Perfection in Every Bite!
- Related
- Pairing
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
Ingredients For Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
The Base:
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Creamy peanut butter
- Chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly:
- Mini muffin cup liners or silicone cups
- Extra chocolate chips for topping
- Chopped peanuts for garnish
See recipe card for quantities.
Step by Step Method
Prep Your Workspace:
- Line mini muffin tin with paper liners or spray silicone cups with cooking spray
- Measure out all ingredients before starting since this goes quickly
- Have a spoon ready for scooping mixture into cups
Melt the Chocolate:
- Put chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one
- Stop when chocolate is smooth and melted - don't overheat
- Let cool for 2-3 minutes while you prepare other ingredients
Make the Mixture:
- In large bowl, mix peanut butter with powdered sugar until smooth
- Add vanilla extract and pinch of salt
- Stir in melted chocolate until well combined
- Fold in Rice Krispies cereal gently until evenly coated
Fill and Set:
- Spoon mixture into prepared cups, filling about ¾ full
- Press down lightly to compact slightly
- Top with extra chocolate chips or chopped peanuts if desired
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm
Creative Twists on Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
From experimenting with this basic Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups , here are the variations that have become our favorites:
S'mores Style:
- Use chocolate graham cereal instead of Rice Krispies
- Add mini marshmallows to the mixture
- Top with crushed graham crackers
- Tastes like campfire treats in cup form
Cookies and Cream:
- Mix in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
- Use white chocolate instead of regular chocolate
- Top with cookie crumbs
- Kids go crazy for this version
Coconut Tropical:
- Add shredded coconut to the mixture
- Use coconut oil instead of some peanut butter
- Top with toasted coconut flakes
- Feels like a vacation in every bite
Birthday Cake Fun:
- Add rainbow sprinkles to the mixture
- Use vanilla extract and almond extract
- Top with more colorful sprinkles
- Perfect for parties and celebrations
Smart Swaps for Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
From testing this Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups with different dietary needs, here are the substitutions that work well:
Peanut Butter Alternatives:
- Creamy peanut butter → Almond butter or sunflower seed butter
- Regular peanut butter → Powdered peanut butter (add more liquid)
- Standard version → Cashew butter for milder flavor
- Nut butter → Soy butter for nut-free option
Chocolate Options:
- Semi-sweet chips → Milk chocolate chips for sweeter taste
- Regular chocolate → Dark chocolate for less sweet version
- Dairy chocolate → Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Chocolate chips → Cocoa powder plus extra sweetener
Cereal Changes:
- Rice Krispies → Cocoa Krispies for chocolate version
- Regular cereal → Gluten-free rice cereal
- Standard → Crushed cornflakes for different texture
Sweetener Swaps:
- Powdered sugar → Honey or maple syrup (use less)
- Regular sugar → Coconut sugar (grind it finer first)
- Standard sweetener → Sugar-free powdered sweetener
Equipment
- Mini muffin tin (12-cup size works well)
- Paper liners or silicone cups
- Microwave-safe bowls for melting chocolate
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storing Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
Counter Storage (3-4 days):
- Store in airtight container at room temperature
- Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat
- They stay perfectly crispy this way
Refrigerator Storage (1 week):
- Store covered in the fridge for longer freshness
- Let come to room temperature before serving for best texture
- Cold storage makes them firmer and less messy to handle
- Great option during hot weather
Freezer Storage (1 month):
- Freeze in airtight container or freezer bags
- No need to thaw - they're good straight from freezer
- Texture stays perfect even after freezing
- Perfect for making big batches ahead of time
My Mother's Secret Worth Sharing
My mother discovered her twist on these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups when she was making them for my brother's baseball team fundraiser. She had grabbed what she thought was regular peanut butter from the pantry, but it turned out to be the natural kind that had separated with all the oil sitting on top. Instead of stirring it back together like she normally would, she decided to drain off some of that oil and use the firmer peanut butter paste that was left behind.
That "mistake" turned out to create the best texture we'd ever had in these cups. The slightly drier peanut butter held the cereal together better and didn't make the mixture as sticky or hard to work with. Now she always buys natural peanut butter for this Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups and lets it separate on purpose. She drains off about half the oil, then uses the thicker paste that's left. The cups hold their shape better, are less messy to eat, and somehow the peanut butter flavor is more concentrated. When people ask what makes her version different, she just smiles and says "It's all about working with what you've got instead of fighting it."
Top Tip
- These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups are one of the few treats that taste just as good frozen as they do at room temperature - the cold makes them extra firm and satisfying to bite into.
- For longer storage up to a week, the refrigerator works wonderfully. Store them covered in the fridge for extended freshness, though you'll want to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Cold storage makes them firmer and less messy to handle, which is a great option during hot weather when chocolate tends to get soft and sticky.
- Freezer storage is where these treats really shine, lasting up to a month when properly stored in airtight containers or freezer bags. There's no need to thaw them before eating - they're delicious straight from the freezer. This makes them great for making big batches ahead of time for parties or just having treats ready whenever you want them. The frozen texture becomes extra firm and satisfying to bite into, almost like eating a frozen candy bar.
What to Serve With Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups are rich and sweet, so they pair best with beverages that balance out their bold flavors rather than compete with them. For kids and casual settings, cold milk is the classic choice that cuts through the richness of the chocolate and peanut butter beautifully. Apple juice, other fruit juices, or plain water also work well to cleanse the palate between bites. During cooler months, hot chocolate makes them extra indulgent, though it definitely pushes them into "special treat" territory rather than everyday snack.
For adult gatherings or more sophisticated occasions, coffee complements the chocolate and peanut butter flavors wonderfully, while black tea or chai tea works well for afternoon treats. These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups work great as part of a dessert table alongside other bite-sized treats, and pairing them with fresh fruit like strawberries or grapes helps balance the sweetness. They're also good for lunch boxes with sandwiches and fruit, or for potlucks since they're individually portioned and easy to grab. Since they're quite rich, simple beverages work better than other sweet drinks that might make the whole experience overwhelming.
FAQ
How do you make chocolate rice crispy cups?
Melt chocolate chips and mix with peanut butter, then fold in Rice Krispies cereal and spoon into mini muffin cups lined with paper liners. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm. The key is not overmixing once you add the cereal to keep it crunchy.
How long can you keep chocolate covered rice crispy treats?
These treats keep well at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container, up to a week in the refrigerator, and up to a month in the freezer. They're one of the few desserts that taste great frozen, with a firmer texture that many people prefer.
What are some common mistakes when making Rice Krispie treats?
The biggest mistakes include overmixing the cereal (which crushes it), using stale cereal that lacks crunch, and overheating the chocolate which makes it seize up. Also, don't pack the mixture too tightly into chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups or they'll be dense instead of light and crispy.
How long do chocolate rice krispies take to set?
These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups typically set in about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. For firmer treats, chill for an hour. At room temperature, they'll set in about 2 hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
No-Bake Perfection in Every Bite!
The best part about these chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups is how they prove that simple ingredients can create something really special. That combination of crunchy cereal, rich chocolate, and creamy peanut butter hits all the right notes without any complicated techniques or expensive equipment. Liam loves that he can help make them without worrying about hot ovens or sharp knives, and I love how they satisfy our sweet tooth without requiring a trip to the store for special ingredients.
Ready for more delicious treats that bring the same kind of satisfaction to your kitchen? Try our Easy Carrot Cake Roll Recipe that takes all the beloved flavors of carrot cake and presents them in an elegant rolled format that's great for special occasions. Our Easy Homemade Coffee Custard Pie Recipe combines rich custard with deep coffee flavor for a dessert that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your caffeine craving. And for something light and airy, don't miss our Easy Coconut Meringue Cookies Recipe that creates delicate, tropical treats with just egg whites, sugar, and coconut.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
Equipment
- 1 Mini muffin tin (12-cup size)
- 12 mini muffin paper liners or silicone cups
- 2 Microwave-safe bowls
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 spoon for scooping
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup Chocolate chips - Semi-sweet or milk
- ¾ cup Creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 pinch Salt
- ¼ cup Chocolate chips - Extra, for topping (optional)
- 2 tablespoon Chopped peanuts - Optional garnish
Instructions
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or spray silicone cups lightly with cooking spray. Measure out all ingredients.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Let cool for 2–3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla and salt. Add melted chocolate and stir well. Gently fold in Rice Krispies until evenly coated.
- Spoon mixture into prepared cups, filling about ¾ full. Press lightly to compact. Top with extra chocolate chips or chopped peanuts if desired.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm before serving.
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