Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

Do you ever crave a sweet and salty treat that won’t leave you crashing from so much sugar? Well look no further than these Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats! 

These are a fun and nutritious twist on traditional rice crispy treats. They are packed full of whole grains and healthy fats, and they take less than ten minutes of actual prep time. No baking required! 

When I made this recipe for the first time about five years ago, I shared some with my mother-in-law, and she said it was the BEST rice crispy treat she had ever tasted. 

This recipe is my very FIRST blog post on my new food blog, Sizzling Nutrition. I would like to dedicate this post to my lovely mother-in-law. She always supports my ideas and recipe creations, and I am so very thankful for her!

This will be the first of many delicious, easy recipes that will be posted to my site in the future. I am so excited you are here! I hope you enjoy this recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats:

These yummy treats require only seven ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry at home. The base of the bars is made with peanut butter, brown rice crispy cereal, honey, and vanilla extract. For a nutritious boost, add in hemp seeds or flax seeds to the rice crispy mixture. You could even use chia seeds.

In this recipe, adding seeds will provide omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. The chocolate layer on the bottom is chocolate chips mixed with coconut oil. This layer provides a little extra sweetness without being too sweet. 

How to make Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats:

To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Microwave at 30-second intervals until a smooth consistency is achieved.

Add brown rice cereal and hemp seeds (if using) to the peanut butter mixture. Stir until well-combined.

Spread mixture evenly in an 8×8 glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge for one hour.

Remove baking dish from the fridge and cut into eight equal bars.

To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave at 30-second intervals until a smooth consistency is achieved. Dip each rice crispy treat into the chocolate mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or serving tray. Chill in the fridge for one hour or until hardened.

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Can I use a different nut butter instead of peanut butter? 

If you don’t have peanut butter on hand, you can use any nut butter such as almond butter, cashew butter, or even tahini if you prefer a less sweet version. I recommend using an all-natural nut butter to achieve the correct consistency. 

If you use conventional peanut butter, the treats may come out too dry. If you only have regular peanut butter, I recommend adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to the peanut butter mixture prior to melting to make it a little more liquidy. 

The last time I made this recipe I used Jif All-Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, which isn’t as oily as some of the other all-natural peanut butters, and the treats turned out fine without any extra coconut oil. 

Depending on the consistency of your peanut butter mixture, you may have to add more or less brown rice cereal to achieve the desired result. 

Where do I purchase brown rice cereal?

Brown rice cereal is found in the cereal aisle of major grocery stores and natural grocery stores. In a major chain grocery store, it will likely be in the “all-natural” section. Some popular brands are Barbara’s Organic and Arrowhead Mills. 

These brands may be easier to find in a natural grocery store such as Sprout’s or Fresh Market. You can also purchase brown rice cereal online. 

Are Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats vegan?

As written, this recipe is vegetarian. However, it can easily be made vegan with a few modifications. To make these treats vegan, use maple syrup instead of raw honey, and your favorite vegan chocolate chips in place of regular chocolate chips. 

Sizzling Tip:

To measure honey and peanut butter easily, spray both the spoon and measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray. Then, spoon the peanut butter or pour the honey into the measuring cup. When you go to put it in your bowl, it will slide right out!