Quick Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Cups

I was rummaging through my pantry one afternoon when I spotted a half-empty box of Rice Krispies from my kids’ breakfast. Next to it sat a jar of peanut butter and some chocolate chips. That’s when it hit me – why not combine them all?

Growing up, we made regular Rice Krispie treats, but adding chocolate and peanut butter takes them to a whole new level of yummy. Plus, making them into individual cups means no cutting or messy squares. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner.

What Kind of Chocolate Chips Should I Use?

Dark chocolate chips are the star of this recipe, and you’ve got plenty of options to work with. Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips will do just fine, but if you want to take things up a notch, look for chips with 60-70% cacao content – these give you a nice balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. For melting, stick to chocolate chips from brands like Ghirardelli, Guittard, or Nestle since they’re formulated to melt smoothly without seizing up. If your chocolate does start to get a bit thick while melting, just add a tiny bit of neutral oil (like coconut oil) to help it stay fluid and make it easier to work with.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for this recipe:

• Dark chocolate chips: You can use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate. White chocolate works too, though it will give you a much sweeter result. Just make sure to use real chocolate chips, not candy melts, for the best melting consistency.
• Smooth peanut butter: Not a peanut butter fan or dealing with allergies? Try almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Each will give a slightly different taste, but they all work well. Just make sure to use the smooth variety, not crunchy, for the best texture.
• Crispy brown rice cereal: Regular Rice Krispies work perfectly here if you can’t find brown rice cereal. You could also try other crispy rice cereals, but avoid ones with added flavors. For a different twist, crushed cornflakes or crispy wheat cereal can work too, though the texture will be slightly different.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups is overheating the chocolate, which can make it grainy and dull – always melt your chocolate chips slowly in 30-second intervals in the microwave or use a double boiler, stirring frequently.

A common mistake is pressing the cereal mixture too firmly into the cups, which can make them dense and hard to bite into – instead, gently press the mixture just enough to hold its shape while still maintaining that satisfying crispy texture.

To prevent your cups from sticking to the muffin tin, make sure to line each cup with paper liners, and for the smoothest results, let the chocolate mixture cool for 2-3 minutes after melting before adding the cereal (but don’t wait too long or it will start to set).

Remember to store these treats at room temperature rather than in the fridge, as refrigeration can cause the chocolate to develop a whitish film called bloom, which affects both appearance and texture.

What to Serve With Rice Krispie Cups?

These chocolate peanut butter treats are perfect for serving alongside a cold glass of milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative – I personally love them with almond milk! Since they’re pretty rich and sweet, they pair really nicely with a hot cup of coffee or tea to balance things out. For a fun dessert spread, try serving these cups alongside some fresh berries or sliced bananas, which complement the chocolate-peanut butter combo perfectly. If you’re putting together a dessert platter, these work great next to other no-bake treats like regular rice krispie squares or chocolate-dipped pretzels.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie cups stay perfectly crunchy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. If your kitchen is warm, you might want to keep them in the fridge instead.

Refrigerate: Pop these treats in the fridge in a sealed container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature helps keep the chocolate from getting too soft, especially during warmer months. Just remember they’ll be firmer straight from the fridge!

Freeze: Want to make these ahead? These cups freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	70-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 30-40 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 260-280 g

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups chocolate chips (dark variety)
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 cups crispy brown rice cereal

Step 1: Prepare the Muffin Tin

Begin by taking out a silicone muffin tin or greasing a regular muffin tin.

Set it aside for later use.

Silicone is preferred for this recipe because it allows the cups to pop out effortlessly once set.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Combine Ingredients

Melt chocolate chips using your preferred method, either in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Once fully melted, add in the peanut butter and stir the mixture until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Incorporate the Cereal

Add your choice of cereal to the chocolate and peanut butter mixture.

Mix thoroughly to ensure the cereal is evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.

Step 4: Fill the Muffin Cups

Once the mixture is ready, fill each muffin cup with the chocolate-cereal mixture.

Be sure to distribute the mixture evenly among the cups.

Step 5: Freeze and Enjoy

Place the tray in the freezer and allow it to set for about an hour or longer, until firm.

Once set, remove the chocolate cereal cups from the muffin tray.

Enjoy your delicious, no-bake treats straight from the freezer!