Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bites
Rate This Recipe:
A classic no-bake dessert designed for sharing. These Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bites are nostalgic, make-ahead friendly, and ideal for game day, parties, or casual gatherings with friends and family.
Equipment
- Large saucepan or pot
- rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 8×8-inch baking pan (9×9 for thinner bars)
- Parchment Paper
- microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 10 oz bag mini marshmallows (about 5 cups)
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened, no hydrogenated oils)
- 6 cups crisp rice cereal (or brown-rice crispy cereal for a fiber boost)
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips (about 1⅓ cups)
- 2 tsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare the Pan
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang so the bars lift out easily. Lightly grease the parchment or pan.
Step 2 – Melt and Mix
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until smooth and creamy. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until fully combined.¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 10 oz bag mini marshmallows, ½ cup natural peanut butter
Step 3 – Add the Cereal
- Remove the pan from heat and immediately fold in the rice cereal. Stir gently but thoroughly so every piece is coated.6 cups crisp rice cereal
Step 4 – Press into the Pan
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and press it in evenly. Tip: press gently — packing it too firmly can make the bars tough.
Step 5 – Chocolate Topping
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and oil in 20-second intervals, stirring between each round until smooth. Pour over the bars and spread evenly.8 oz semisweet chocolate chips, 2 tsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
Step 6 – Set and Serve
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until the chocolate sets. Lift out, slice into squares, and serve.
Video
More About This Recipe
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need (and Why)
You don’t need anything fancy for these Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bites, which is part of what makes them perfect for game day and casual gatherings.- Large saucepan or pot – Gives you enough room to melt the marshmallows evenly and stir without scorching. Crowded pans lead to sticky messes.
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon – Helps gently fold the cereal into the peanut butter mixture without crushing it.
- 8×8-inch baking pan – Creates thick, satisfying bites. Use a 9×9 if you prefer slightly thinner bars.
- Parchment paper – Makes removing and slicing the bites effortless and keeps cleanup simple.
- Microwave-safe bowl – Ensures smooth, evenly melted chocolate without burning.
This is one of those recipes where having the right basic tools keeps the process quick and stress-free.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bites
- Remove the pan from heat before adding the cereal. This prevents the mixture from drying out and keeps the bites soft.
- Press gently, not firmly. Packing the mixture too tightly can make the bites hard instead of chewy.
- Melt chocolate slowly. Use short microwave intervals and stir often to avoid overheating and seizing.
- Chill just until set. About 30 minutes is perfect—longer chilling can make the chocolate too firm to slice cleanly.
- Cut with a warm knife. Run your knife under hot water, wipe dry, and slice for clean, bakery-style edges.
Nutrition
Serving: 1squareCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 4gFat: 9gFiber: 1.5gSugar: 13g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!