These Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Cups are made with 6 basic ingredients and only take a few minutes of prep time! Easy to make and no baking required!
If you have been around The Roasted Root for a while, you already know from my Scotcheroos and my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats that I have a thing for crunchy sweets.
Borrowing the concept from classic rice krispies treats, I’m here to celebrate peanut butter and chocolate rice crispies in the form of individual pre-portioned rice crispy peanut butter cups.
I love this hybrid approach to peanut butter cups and rice crispy treats first and foremost for their amazing flavor and texture. However, I have also found that people are very attracted to single-serve sweets in cup form.
This became evident to me after I shared by No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cups and the internet temporarily broke due to an over-abundance of interest.
So combining the crunchiness of rice krispies and the unmistakable flavor of peanut butter cups, we’re forming an enhanced amalgamation of both!
I love how chocolate and peanut butter play so nicely here, and the fact that they are supported by the amazing poppy texture of crispy rice.
The way I see it, recipes like this are perfect for everyday living, special events, holidays, and everything in between. Meaning, this is a something-for-everyone recipe!
Not to mention, it is so easy to prepare! All you need is around 10 to 15 minutes of prep time and zero baking. The recipe does need time in the freezer or the refrigerator to set up, but that just gives you the opportunity to vacuum the house or snuggle with the cat.
Let’s discuss the simple ingredients for rice crispy peanut butter cups.
Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients:
Crispy Rice Cereal: The hero of this easy no-bake dessert recipe, we need crispy rice cereal.
Because I eat a gluten-free diet, I use gluten-free crispy rice cereal. Some brands of crispy rice cereal, including Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, include malt extract, thereby containing a small amount of gluten.
If you need to be gluten-free, be sure to read the ingredients to be sure it only contains rice, and make sure the package calls out that the cereal is gluten-free.
I don’t recommend using puffed rice cereal, as puffed rice isn’t nearly as crunchy as crunchy rice cereal.
Unsweetened Peanut Butter: The ingredient we all love to love! Natural peanut butter brings its amazing flavor and gooey stickiness to help everything stick together nicely.
Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter works here too if you enjoy the flavor! I use creamy peanut butter, but crunchy peanut butter works if you enjoy the added crunch.
Pure Maple Syrup or Honey: We use a natural liquid sweetener to sweeten this easy dessert recipe. Both work great! Just be sure you enjoy the flavor of honey if you choose honey over maple, because you will be able to taste the flavor.
Unsalted Butter: A stick of butter adds creamy flavor to the peanut butter cups. If you need to go dairy-free, you can replace it with coconut oil.
Chocolate Chips: For the delightful chocolate topping, we need chocolate chips. Any kind will work!
I like using classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, but dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, sugar-free chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips are all marvelous too.
Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt enhances all of the flavors of this no bake recipe. Don’t forget to add it!
Recipe Adaptations:
- For a vegan version, use coconut oil instead of butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Chop up reese’s peanut butter cups and add them into the peanut butter mixture if you enjoy pb cups.
- Now that we have covered the basic ingredients, let’s make this simple no-bake treat!
How to Make Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Cups:
Transfer the peanut butter, pure maple syrup, and butter to a large thick-bottomed pot. I use my Dutch oven.
Heat over medium heat, and stir constantly until all of the wet ingredients and melted together and well combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract, crispy rice cereal and a pinch of sea salt.
Gently mix until all of the rice krispy cereal is coated in the peanut butter mixture.
Lightly spray a 12-hole muffin tray with cooking spray.
Transfer the rice crispy mixture to the muffin cups, filling them ⅔ of the way up and using the back of a spoon to press the mixture into an even layer in each hole.
This recipe makes 15 cups, so you can either use a second muffin pan if you have one, or wait until the first batch is finished to make the final three rice crispy treats.
Transfer the chocolate chips and butter to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until the mixture is completely melted (about 2 minutes total).
Spread a light layer of melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer of each rice crispy cup.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has fully set up.
Run a butter knife between each treat and the edge of the muffin tin in order to release the treats. Pop them out of the tray, and enjoy!
Store peanut butter rice crispy treats in an airtight container or a large zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed container or freezer bag.
While the treats are stable at room temperature (up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), they will become soft and eventually melt if they stay at a warm temperature for too long.
Keep this in mind when planning for or transporting these chocolate peanut butter rice krispy cups.
The next time you’re craving peanut butter cups or rice krispy treats, whip up these easy rice crispy peanut butter cups!
Easy enough for kids to make, this simple recipe can be prepared at a moment’s notice with very little effort.
I love the idea of adding it to your list of holiday treats, because it is a true gem for peanut butter lovers and involves zero stress.
If you enjoy no-bake dessert recipes, here are some of my favorites!
More No-Bake Desserts:
- No-Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
- 3-Ingredient No-Bake Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- No-Bake Nutty Cookies Without Oats
- 6-Ingredient No-Bake Cookies
- No-Bake Paleo Lemon Bars
- Paleo Pumpkin Cheesecake
Enjoy these no-bake peanut butter cup rice krispie treats with your fellow peanut butter lover!
Rice Crispy Peanut Butter Cups
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (345g) unsweetened peanut butter
- ½ cup (170g) pure maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup (14g, 8 Tbsp) unsalted butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract optional
- 4 cups (112g) crispy rice cereal
- Pinch sea salt
Topping:
- 2 cups (340g) chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp (29g) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Transfer the peanut butter, pure maple syrup, and butter to a large thick-bottomed pot. I use my Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat, and stir constantly until all of the wet ingredients and melted together and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract, crispy rice cereal and a pinch of sea salt. Gently mix until all of the rice krispy cereal is coated in the peanut butter mixture.
- Lightly spray a 12-hole muffin tray with cooking spray. Transfer the rice crispy mixture to the muffin cups, filling them ⅔ of the way up and using the back of a spoon to press the mixture into an even layer in each hole. This recipe makes 15 cups, so you can either use a second muffin pan if you have one, or wait until the first batch is finished to make the final three rice crispy treats.
- Transfer the chocolate chips and butter to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until the mixture is completely melted (about 2 minutes total).
- Spread a light layer of melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer of each rice crispy cup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has fully set up.
- Run a butter knife between each treat and the edge of the muffin tin in order to release the treats. Pop them out of the tray, and enjoy!
- Store peanut butter rice crispy treats in an airtight container or a large zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed container or freezer bag.
- While the treats are stable at room temperature (up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), they will become soft and eventually melt if they stay at a warm temperature for too long. Keep this in mind when planning for or transporting these chocolate peanut butter rice krispy cups.
Nutrition
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