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.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup honey
- ⅔ 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
Instructions
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 ⅔ 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 ⅔ 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 into pan.
- 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.
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Or, you can wrap them in wax paper, place them in a zip-top bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Substitutions
- Use almond butter, cashew butter, Biscoff spread, Nutella, or sunflower butter in place of peanut butter.
- You can use pancake syrup (like Mrs. Butterworths or Log Cabin) or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Cheerios are a great substitution for rice crispy cereal.
Or you can make:
- Peanut Butter Butterscotch Rice Krispie Treats
- chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie Treats
- peanut butter and jelly Rice Krispie Treats
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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
- ⅔ cup honey
- ⅔ 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.
- Stir occasionally, allowing the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes.
- 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.
Tricia Barker says
I used to eat bowls of Rice Krispies, peanut butter, and honey too! I love that you turned that recipe into cereal treats.
Shirlie says
Thank you so much for this marshmallow-free rice crispy recipe. It's delicious!
Rita M. says
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 says
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 says
I just finished making these treats and they didn't firm up very well. They taste great but they are falling apart.
HowToMakeCerealTreats says
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.
Janice wood says
can you put melted chocolate on top
Elisabeth M. says
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 says
You are welcome!
Lora says
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 says
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 says
I was so happy to find this recipe. It was easy to make and tastes amazing!
HowToMakeCerealTreats says
I'm so happy you enjoyed these treats!
Nickie Hollins says
Who needs marshmallows? These are amazing.
Darcie W. says
I may never use marshmallows to make rice crispy treats again. I loved these.
Jenny S. says
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 says
I'm very happy that you enjoyed this recipe so much.- Beth
Robert Neuro says
I made these using natural peanut butter and they turned out great. I did stir the peanut butter really well.
HowToMakeCerealTreats says
I'm happy to hear it worked well with natural peanut butter. - Beth
Roberta N. says
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrea B. says
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 says
I love the additions you made. That sounds delicious. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Camille Gosselin says
What a wonderful recipe to make marshmallow-free rice kripie treats. They were so delicious.
Janice wood says
can you put melted chocolate on top
Beth Klosterboer says
I would melt 1/3 cup of chocolate chips and stir in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter then drizzle it over the top of the treats. You could double that amount if you want to spread the chocolate over the treats. By adding peanut butter, the chocolate will remain slightly soft so that you can cut through it.
Dana says
I plan on making these for my boys! If using maple syrup, would I boil the maple syrup as I would the honey?
Beth Klosterboer says
Hi Dana,
I'm glad you asked this question. I realized that I wrote maple syrup meaning pancake syrup like Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworths which is sticky like honey. So, I tested the recipe using pure maple syrup. It works and tastes good, but the bars did crumble as you bite into them. They don't hold together as well as those made with honey or pancake syrup. I do like the flavor though. If you make them, I'd recommend you line your pan with non-stick tin foil or parchment paper so you can lift the treat out of the pan, place it on a cutting board, to cut them into bars. I did that and was able to cut the treat into bars but some of the edges broke off. If you are making these as a snack, that shouldn't be an issue. Enjoy!
Beth Klosterboer says
Hi Dana, Just a follow up. Two days after I made the treats using pure maple syrup, the cereal became rather soggy. I was disappointed that this happened. I'm going to go back into the recipe, and suggest only using pancake syrup. Sorry about that!