It’s so easy to make marshmallow-free Honey Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats using just four pantry-staple ingredients. These cereal bars are crispy and chewy and packed with peanut butter flavor.
When I was a kid one of my favorite things to make for an afterschool snack was a bowl of Rice Krispies Cereal mixed with peanut butter and honey. It made a filling, protein-rich snack and I loved the sweet and nutty flavor.
The mixture held together well enough to form balls but I wanted to make it into bars so I experimented with some ideas and found that boiling the honey did the trick.
By heating the honey it becomes candy-like in texture and will help to hold the treats together.
Just 4 ingredients.
You’ll need:
- 2/3 cup honey
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- pinch of salt
- 5 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- medium saucepan (3 quarts or larger)
- 8-inch or 9-inch square pan
- baking spray or butter to grease the pan
Boiling honey.
This cereal treat recipe should be made by adults because you have to boil the honey. It’s not safe for kids.
- Pour 2/3 cup honey into a pan and bring it to a rolling boil. Then allow it to boiler for one minute. Set a timer. One minute is perfect. If it boils for too long your treats can become hard.
- Be careful to use a medium or medium-large saucepan as the honey will bubble up as it comes to a boil. I suggest using a pan that is no smaller than 3 quarts.
- The bubbles will form really quickly when it gets to a rolling boil and they may rise up really close to the top of the pan.
- If your pan is too small the honey will boil over the top.
Peanut Butter.
- Once the honey has boiled for one minute remove it from the heat.
- Stir in 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter and add a pinch of salt.
- Then pour the hot mixture over the rice crispy cereal and stir until well incorporated.
- Spread the cereal mixture into the pan and pat it down into an even layer.
- Cover it and set it aside for at least an hour until firm.
- Remove from the pan and cut into 16 squares.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They’ll probably keep for even longer, but the cereal might get a little soft.
Substituting ingredients.
- Use almond butter, cashew butter, Biscoff spread, Nutella, or sunflower butter in place of peanut butter.
- You can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Cheerios are a great substitution for the rice crispy cereal.
Recipe
Honey Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 8-inch or 9-inch square pan
- 3-quart or larger saucepan
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 2/3 cup honey
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Grease your pan with butter or baking spray.
- Pour the cereal into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the honey into your saucepan and set over medium heat.
- Bring to a rolling boil then allow it to boil for one minute.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and pinch of salt.
- Pour over top of the cereal and stir until well combined.
- Spread into the prepared pan and press down gently.
- Set aside for at least 1 hour until the bars feel firm.
- Cut into 16 squares.
Notes
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like…
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cereal Treats
Brown Butter Marshmallow Cereal Treats
Did you make this recipe and think it was great or do have any questions? Leave a comment below and don't forget to rate the recipe using the star rating system.
We love creating easy Rice Krispie Treats recipes to share with you and hope you find our tips and instructions helpful.
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Tricia Barker
I used to eat bowls of Rice Krispies, peanut butter, and honey too! I love that you turned that recipe into cereal treats.
Shirlie
Thank you so much for this marshmallow-free rice crispy recipe. It’s delicious!
Rita M.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. My kids wanted rice krispie treats but I didn’t have any marshmallows so I gave these a try. Everyone loved them. My son even said they were the best rice krispie treats he’s ever tasted. He loves peanut butter! I hope you and your family are staying safe through this crazy time.
HowToMakeCerealTreats
I am so happy that your family enjoyed this recipe. Thankfully everyone in my family is healthy! I hope your family is doing well too.
Cinda
I just finished making these treats and they didn’t firm up very well. They taste great but they are falling apart.
HowToMakeCerealTreats
Hi Cinda,
If your treats aren’t holding together well, it is because you didn’t boil the honey long enough. The liquid in the honey needs time to evaporate so that when it’s mixed with the peanut butter it will hold the treats together. If the treats are really falling apart, you can stir together some more honey and peanut butter and mix it with the cereal then roll it into balls instead of cutting it into bars.
Elisabeth M.
These were so delicious. I have always loved peanut butter and honey sandwiches but had never made rice krispie treats using those ingredients. Thank you so much for this recipe!
HowToMakeCerealTreats
You are welcome!
Lora
I was so happy to find this recipe. My kids wanted some rice krispie treats but we didn’t have any marshmallows. I wasn’t going to run to the store during this crisis to buy some and was happy to find your recipe. I wasn’t sure the kids would like the honey but they really loved it with the peanut butter. I can see why you liked the combination of flavors. It’s delicious.
HowToMakeCerealTreats
It is definitely a different flavor combination for rice crispy treats and I’m glad you and your kids loved it. I’m glad I could help you find a way to make cereal treats for your family without having to run to the store.
Shannon Braxton
I was so happy to find this recipe. It was easy to make and tastes amazing!
HowToMakeCerealTreats
I’m so happy you enjoyed these treats!
Nickie Hollins
Who needs marshmallows? These are amazing.
Darcie W.
I may never use marshmallows to make rice crispy treats again. I loved these.
Jenny S.
I never imagined that rice crispy treats made without marshmallows would be so amazingly good. I’d have to say I like these even better. Thanks so much for this delicious recipe.
HowToMakeCerealTreats
I’m very happy that you enjoyed this recipe so much.- Beth
Robert Neuro
I made these using natural peanut butter and they turned out great. I did stir the peanut butter really well.
HowToMakeCerealTreats
I’m happy to hear it worked well with natural peanut butter. – Beth
Roberta N.
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrea B.
Who needs marshmallows? Pleasantly surprised that these held together well! I add cocoa, cocoa nibs and unsweetened coconut (in small amounts) and it still turns out great! These treats are wonderful for those on a no-processed sugar/gluten free diet….easy on digestion!
Beth Klosterboer
I love the additions you made. That sounds delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!