Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups are a perfectly fun, and deliciously easy treat with the classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter combined with the crunch of Rice Krispies. Sweet, chewy, no-bake treats that are ready in under 15 minutes prep time.
The base is a combination of Rice Krispies mixed with a warm mixture of chunky peanut butter and honey that provides sweetness, as well as chewiness, to counteract the crunch. Each cup is then finished with a layer of smooth, melted chocolate, which hardens in the refrigerator to form a crisp shell of chocolate.
After chilling, each of these cups is ready to enjoy, with the paper liners making for easy serving and storage. They’re ideal as a snack, a speedy dessert or something to take along for on-the-go. This recipe is super customizable, too—substitute vegan chocolate chips, or almond butter to make it plant-based, or top with a sprinkle of sea salt for a little extra flavor!
Why You’ll Love It:
Quick & Easy: Very minimal prep + no baking!
Kid-Friendly: This cups everyone will enjoy making and eating.
Plant-Based Option: This will be a plant-based version if you just replace the honey and chocolate with plant-based options.
Ideal to Bring: Perfect for get togethers, pot lucks or a tasty handmade gift.
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Key Ingredients:
Rice Krispies Cereal: The crunchy texture gives these cups the best crunch. For a whole grain option, you can use brown rice crisps.
Chunky Peanut Butter: Imparts a great chewiness with little peanut bits. Smooth peanut butter also works, if you prefer a creamier texture.
Honey: This provides a natural sweetener and binder, but you can switch it up with maple syrup or agave if you want a plant-based alternative.
For the chocolate chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips would work best for a richer flavor. Dairy-free chocolate chips work great for a dairy-free version.
Salt: A pinch of salt adds peanut butter flavor and balances the sweetness.
Full ingredient amounts and instruction details found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
Directions:
Preparation:
Line the Muffin Tin: Prepare a muffin tin with paper or silicone liners so the cups will slide right out when they’ve set.
Peanut Butter Mixture:
Combine Ingredients In saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, honey, and a pinch of salt. Continue stirring until everything is simply smooth and combined.
Remove from heat: When it is smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Mixing:
Add Rice Krispies: Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the peanut butter mixture folding it in so that the cereal is completely coated.
Forming Cups:
Fill Muffin Tin: Divide mixture among the lined muffin cups, gently pressing mixture to form the bottom layer in each cup.
Melting Chocolate:
Melt Chocolate Chips: In a separate saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and glossy.
Assembly:
Add Chocolate on Top: Spoon the melted chocolate on peanut butter and cereal mix in each cup and spread evenly to cover.
Chilling:
Refrigerate: Put the muffin tin in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is hard.
Serving:
Bring them back, and you enjoy: Once set, take them out of the fridge, peel away the liners, and indulge in your very own homemade peanut butter chocolate treats!
Serving Suggestions:
Garnish: A few crushed peanuts, flaky sea salt or a dusting of cocoa powder over the top of the chocolate while it’s still not set adds an extra flourish.
Serve Cold: These treats are best served cold so they’ll have a firmer texture and cleaner layers.
Gift-Ready: Pack in a gift box or cellophane ith a ribbon on for a lovely homemade gift.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freezing: For more long-term storage, try putting the cups in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. For best texture, thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Variations:
Almond Butter Cups: Substitute almond butter for the peanut butter for a different flavor profile.
Dark Chocolate Lovers: Replace the semi sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor.
Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter to make it nut-free.
Add Coconut: Mix ½ cup of shredded coconut into the peanut butter and the Rice Krispies mixture for a delicious tropical spin.
Salted Caramel Drizzle: If you want to kick it into high gear, once the cups have set, drizzle salted caramel sauce on top.
Conclusion:
In no way is this a fancy dessert; the Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups are the epitome of easy treats — crunchy Rice Krispies meet creamy peanut butter meet luscious chocolate in a deceptively simple and easy package. They’re bound to create smiles with each bite, whether as a family treat or some special gift! Enjoy your no-bake creation!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal for crunchy base
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips vegan chocolate chips can be used
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter for peanut flavor and texture
- 6 tbsp honey for natural sweetness
- 1/8 tsp salt enhances flavor
Instructions
- Line a muffin tin with paper or silicone liners to make removing the cups easy after they set.
- In a saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey, and salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well-blended, then remove from heat.
- Pour the Rice Krispies cereal into the peanut butter mixture, folding it in until evenly coated.
- Spoon the mixture evenly into the lined muffin cups, pressing down gently to form a base layer in each cup.
- In a separate saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Spoon the melted chocolate over the peanut butter and cereal layer in each cup, spreading to cover.
- Refrigerate the muffin tin for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is fully set. Once set, remove the cups, peel away the liners, and enjoy!