These Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars have it all. They are soft and crunchy, salty and sweet. They are the perfect treat you need to try!
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More About these Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
This crunchy peanut butter bars are a next level rice crispy treat. It a wonderful dessert recipe to share with the whole family. If you are a fan of rice krispy treat, then you will love this chewy peanut butter bar that also has a little crunchy.
Why This Recipe for Peanut Butter Crunch Bars is a Keeper
With a cake mix, a square baking pan and a handful of ingredients, you can make a wonderful peanut buttery bars. These bars are easy to make.
- 30 Minute Prep: Takes minutes to make and refrigerate until firm.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge.
- Adaptable: Can make it dairy-free or use graham crackers in place of the cereal.
If you’re looking for more bar inspired recipes, try these Twix Bars, Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars and Brown Butter Peach Bars.
Why won’t my Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars set?
One of the most important parts of this process is to make sure that you refrigerate it for at least one hour but preferably overnight. Do not try and cut before they have the time to cool completely.
Ingredient Notes for No-Bake Candy Bar
- Crispy Rice Cereal: A gluten free cereal that makes this recipe crunch and delicious. Use a low sugar or store brand if you like.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Of course you can add chocolate to this amazing bar recipe. Chocolate chips can be added or melt chocolate and drizzle over the top.
- Delicious Chocolate: You can even create a whole chocolate layer for this recipe. Chocolate and peanut butter are perfect especially when you add crispy rice cereal. It just taste better.
- Crunchy Peanut Butter: Add even more crunchy peanut flavor.
How to Make this Rice Krispies Bars Recipe Step-by-Step
These are the basic steps yellow cake mix cookie bars. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. Whip together a batch, they come together quickly and are a real crowd pleaser.
STEP 1: Start with Nonstick Spray and Butter Mixture
First, in a preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then in a large bowl combine cake mix, butter, egg, and beat low until crumbly. Press in an even layer in the bottom of greased and parchment paper lined baking pan.
STEP 2: Bake in the Prepared Pan
Bake 350 for 12-18 minutes until golden brown. Remove, add marshmallows and spread evenly on top , return to oven 1-2 minutes until puffy. Cool while preparing topping.
STEP 3: Peanut Butter Mixture Topping
Next, in a large saucepan, combine all topping ingredients except cereal and peanuts. Mix until combined. Heat until smooth stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in cereal and peanuts, mix well, immediately spoon over marshmallows. Spread to cover.
STEP 4: Cool the Rice Krispie Treats
Finally, refrigerate for one hour or let cool room temperature until firm and cut into bars.
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making This Popular Recipe
Now that you have made this amazing treat, you can adjust these bars to make them even more special. This rice crispies bar is very versatile.
- Chips: A few tablespoons of Dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or even reese’s peanut butter chips to this delicious treat.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle a little on top of this easy snack or use graham cracker crumbs.
- Candy: Try incorporating some reese’s pieces or mini peanut butter cups to make taste better.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add as many tips as you need in this section
- Microwave Safe Bowl: Make the topping in a microwave-safe bowl and melt ingredients in the microwave.
- Store: Store in a ziplock bag or airtight container for up to two weeks.
More Peanut Butter Recipes
Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
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Ingredients
- 1 box Yellow cake mix
- ⅓ cup Margarine, softened
- 1 Egg
- 3 cups Mini marshmallows
- ⅔ cup Light corn syrup
- 10 ounces Peanut butter chips
- ¼ cup Margarine
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 cups Crispy rice cereal
- 2 cups Salted peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, butter, egg, and beat low until crumbly.
- Press in bottom of greased 13×9 pan.
- Bake 350 for 12-18 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove, add marshmallows on top, return to oven 1-2 minutes until puffy.
- Cool while preparing topping.
Topping
- In a large saucepan, combine all topping ingredients except cereal and peanuts.
- Heat until smooth stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, stir in cereal and peanuts, immediately spoon over marshmallows.
- Spread to cover.
- Refrigerate for one hour or let cool room temperature until firm and cut into bars.
Christina’s Notes
- Chips: A few tablespoons of Dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or even reese’s peanut butter chips to this delicious treat.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle a little on top of this easy snack.
- Candy: Try incorporating some reese’s pieces or mini peanut butter cups to make taste better.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add as many tips as you need in this section
- Microwave: Make the topping in a microwave-safe bowl and melt ingredients in the microwave.
- Store: Store in a ziplock bag or airtight container for up to two weeks.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
These are just looking WONDERFUL !!
Thanks so much! 🙂 They are delish!
My god do those sound amazing!