There’s something about that classic Rice Krispie treat crunch that just hits. But once you swirl in melty chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a little nutty twist? Game over. These bars are nostalgic, yes, but they’ve grown up a little, and honestly, so have we. No stove, no stress. Just one bowl, a microwave, and a handful of pantry staples.
What Makes These Bars So Irresistible?
Let’s start with this: they’re ridiculously easy. And they’re the kind of sweet that works for everything—school lunches, late-night cravings, road trips, or a surprise treat to pop in the mail for someone who needs a pick-me-up (as long as it’s not 100 degrees outside).
I’ve always loved the chewy, crispy texture of classic Rice Krispie treats, but I couldn’t help but tweak the formula. I added pecans, and I’m telling you, they make these taste like something way fancier than cereal bars. The mix of creamy peanut butter and semi-sweet chocolate gives them that rich, salty-sweet thing we all secretly love.
And here’s the kicker: no stove. Just the microwave. So you can make these with kids, or honestly, after a long day when you can’t be bothered to turn on the oven. If you love marshmallows but have run out of cereal, try making them with popcorn, pretzels and potato chips.
Why You’ll Love Them
- Your New Favorite Bar – They’re like the snack you didn’t know you needed… until you’ve had one. Then you’ll think about them way too often.
- Simple Stuff – You probably already have everything. Marshmallows. Chocolate chips. Peanut butter. Done.
- Microwave Magic – These come together fast and with hardly any cleanup. Just melt, stir, press, done.
Just a Few Ingredients
Check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients.
Marshmallows – I’ve found that mini marshmallows work best because they melt quicker than the large ones.
Peanut Butter – use creamy peanut butter if you are adding pecans If not, then crunchy peanut butter will add some texture. Natural peanut butter doesn’t work quite as well.
Chocolate – I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use any kind of chocolate chips, chunks, or chopped up bars. It’s a great way to clean out your pantry of leftover chocolate.
Make These in the Microwave
Step One: Prep
Spray an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
Step Two: Melt Ingredients
Step Three: Mix Together
Immediately add Rice Krispies and chopped nuts to the melted marshmallows and stir until combined.
Step Four: No baking needed
A Few Tips
Shipping them? Wrap them tight in parchment and foil. They hold their shape well, even if the chocolate softens a bit.
Want them extra chocolatey? Drizzle some melted chocolate on top before they set.
No pecans? Try chopped peanuts or skip the nuts entirely. Still delicious.
Sometimes the best desserts are the ones that don’t try too hard. These bars? They’re unfussy, crowd-pleasing, and dangerously easy to make again and again.
Let me know if you give them a try, or better yet, tag me if you send a batch to someone you love. Food’s always better when it’s shared.
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Ingredients
- 10 ½ ounces miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup peanut butter creamy
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- In an 8 cup or larger microwave-safe bowl, add butter and microwave for 1 minute until it has partially melted.
- Add the marshmallows, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, or until marshmallows are melted. Stir until completely combined.
- Immediately stir in the Rice Krispies and pecans.
- Quickly spread into the prepared pan and smooth the surface so that it's even. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours before cutting.
Notes
- This will not be as thick as a traditional Rice Krispie treat but it will become firm once the chocolate cools.
- If you don’t to use a microwave, you can do this on the stovetop over medium heat.
Nutrition
I first published this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats on my Southern food blog Butter and Baggage.
