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These Healthy rice krispie treats are wholesome twist on the classic snack, made with just 3 simple ingredients. This no-bake treat is chewy, naturally sweetened, and comes together in minutes—no marshmallows required!
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Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats
Growing up, one of my favorite school snacks was the classic rice krispie treat, the kind that came in bright blue wrappers, loaded with marshmallows and butter.
As I got older, I started experimenting with healthier versions, hoping to recreate that same sweet flavor and chewy, crispy texture I loved so much.
These rice krispie treats took several rounds of testing to get just right, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. This recipe captures that familiar balance of sticky and crispy while using better-for-you ingredients like honey and peanut butter.
They’re quick to make, kid-friendly, and great for school lunches, after-school snacks, or late-night sweet cravings.
Bonus: If you love cereal bar snacks, you should totally try these peanut butter cheerio cereal bars!
Looking for more simple, wholesome treats? Check out reader-favorite no-bake snacks, packed with easy, kid-approved ideas for any time of day.
Ingredients
- Crispy rice cereal – This forms the base of your bars. Look for a cereal that’s free from artificial colors and flavors for the healthiest option. You can use regular or brown rice krispies.
- Peanut butter – Helps bind the bars together and adds protein, healthy fats, and a delicious nutty flavor. Smooth, natural style works best. You can swap with any nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or this homemade sunflower seed butter, to make it allergy friendly. Just make sure it’s the smooth kind.
- Honey – The natural sweetener that holds everything together while adding a rich, caramel-like sweetness. You can also use brown rice syrup. I haven’t tried this with maple syrup, but please let me know if you do!
- Vanilla extract – optional but adds great depth of flavor.
How to make Rice Crispy Treats without marshmallows
The traditional rice krispie treats recipe uses marshmallows to create that iconic sticky, chewy texture and sweet flavor.
But you can still achieve a similar experience – sweet, crisp, and just the right amount of chewy using a mix of peanut butter and honey.
The key is making sure the peanut butter and honey are fully combined and smooth. This helps everything stick together properly and gives the bars that signature chew and crunch.
There are three ways to do this, depending on your preference and time:
- The easiest method – Use room temperature peanut butter and honey. Combine them in a large mixing bowl and stir until the mixture is completely smooth and runny.
- Microwave method – Add peanut butter and honey to a large microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. This should take about 40–60 seconds.
- Stovetop method – Gently warm the peanut butter and honey in a small saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring frequently until fully smooth. Avoid using high heat, as it can cause the mixture to over-harden or burn.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter and honey.
Step 2: Pour the peanut butter mixture over rice cereal.
Step 3: Stir until well-coated. Press the bars into a parchment-lined pan.
Step 4: Chill! Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight or freeze for at least an hour. Slice into 16 squares.
Expert Tips
- Use room temperature peanut butter! You want it to be runny, not dry or thick. If you keep yours in the refrigerator, take it out at least an hour prior to making.
- Be sure to use a 8×8 inch pan. If you use a larger size, the bars/squares will be too thin.
- Line the pan with parchment paper to make it easy to pop the bars right out of the pan. Also makes cleanup a breeze.
- Press the mixture FIRMLY into the lined pan. I like to use parchment paper so that it holds its shape and doesn’t end up on my hands.
- Use a sharp knife to cut. I like to use a serrated knife.
- Chill for Best Texture. Refrigerating or freezing the bars ensures they set properly and slice cleanly.
Mix-in Options
While delicious as is, here are some delicious add-in suggestions:
- Nuts – finely chopped or ground. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Nuts for Babies (and Seeds) if you’re looking to introduce them to little ones safely!
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds – here’s a brain-boosting rice crispy treats recipe that I contributed for the Food Network Blog!
- Freeze-dried fruits – crushed
- Chopped dried fruit like cranberries or cherries
- Unsweetened shredded coconut or flakes
- Mini chocolate chips – stir in after the mixture cools slightly
- Sprinkles
- A sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty combo
- A drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top
The Best Ways to Enjoy these
These are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in more ways than one! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
They’re best served chilled. Straight from the fridge is when they hold their shape best and offer that perfect crispy-chewy texture.
You can also crumble a square into a bowl with milk (here’s the ultimate guide to best milk for babies and toddlers) or serve it over yogurt (check out Best Yogurt for Babies) for a quick and easy breakfast for toddlers and kids.
Packing them as a healthy school snack for kids? Be sure to include an ice pack to help keep the bars cool and maintain their firmness, especially if you’re also packing other items that need to stay chilled.
They also make a great addition to your snack rotation when traveling. See my tips in Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Babies and Kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any crispy rice cereal will work! You can use the classic rice Krispies cereal, which is most budget-friendly, or other alternatives, like sprouted brown rice crisps. And here’s a list of best healthy cereals for kids.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They’re best enjoyed cold. Do NOT store at room temperature as the bars will soften.
I recommend wrapping each piece in cling wrap storing in a freezer safe bag or container. You can also lay them flat in a freezer bag as shown here. They will stay good for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before you eat.
If you use a certified gluten-free rice cereal, these treats are naturally gluten-free.
More No Bake Snacks
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups crispy rice
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter and honey (see note).
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over rice cereal and stir until well-coated. Press the bars into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch pan. Press the mixture FRIMLY into the pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight or freeze for at least an hour.
- Slice into 16 squares using a sharp knife (a serrated knife works really well) and enjoy!
- Store leftovers in the fridge or the freezer if you're not planning to eat them right away.
Notes
- You want to make sure the peanut butter and honey is well combined and smooth. Here are 3 ways:
- The easiest way: In a large bowl, combine ROOM temperature peanut butter and honey. The mixture needs to be completely smooth and runny.
- Microwave: Heat in a large microwave-safe bowl in 20 second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. Should take about 40-60 seconds
- On the stove: heat in a small saucepan over low-medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth. Don’t raise the heat or the mixture will burn or overharden.
Great healthy version of everyone’s favourite snack!
For convenience:
1/2 cup of hone is about 170-175g
1/2 cup of peanut butter is about 135-140g
And I definitely added over 5 cups of crispy rice and still turned out perfect 😂🙏🫶
Thank you for including these measurements!
Yum yum yum. Both kids and parents loved these. I chose to make them during nap for an after dinner treat so I went with the freeze option. Added some dye-free sprinkles to one side before freezing and pushed those firmly onto the top. It’s a 5STAR from us! <3 OurDahlHaus
Yay!!!! SOOO happy to hear this!!