Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls

Crispy, chewy and chocolatey, these peanut butter rice krispie balls are a quick and easy treat to whip up when you're craving a bite of something sweet. Made with crisped rice cereal, marshmallows, and a touch of peanut butter, then rolled into two-bite balls and dipped in chocolate, this peanut butter rice krispie balls recipe is the perfect goody for sharing!

A crispy, peanut buttery and chocolatey two-bite treat

Rice krispie treats have always been one of those goodies that I find pretty irresistible if they're sitting on a lovely little platter, or if someone's passing them around as a sweet treat.

Chewy, crispy and delicious, they just me smile, and I've loved them ever since I was a kid!

While I love the classic rice krispie treats made simply with marshmallow, butter, crispy rice cereal and vanilla, and enjoy them cut into large, thick squares, these days I often find myself giving this old school dessert recipe a bit of a fun spin, with a little added flavor and perhaps a slightly different-yet-equally-fun presentation.

Enter these peanut butter rice krispie balls, mixed up together with some creamy peanut butter as part of the equation, then rolled into two-bite balls, and dipped in melted chocolate.

Talk about the perfect quick and easy treat to pop, when that sweet tooth comes around. And they're just the goody to keep stashed in the fridge, or to whip up and share for a birthday gathering or party!

My recipe for peanut butter rice krispie balls

When a dessert recipe has only seven very simple pantry ingredients, that is a wonderful thing. And when prepared in just minutes, then that really seals the deal...especially when I don't want to wait too long to indulge, haha!

My peanut butter rice krispie balls recipe has the basic components of butter, marshmallows, rice krispies (or any brand of crispy rice cereal), some creamy, salted peanut butter, some milk chocolate chips, plus a sprinkle of roasted peanuts, as crunchy topping.

To make things a little healthier, I like to use organic marshmallows and an organic, natural peanut butter, but you can use your favorite brands that you like best.

It's classic preparation of mixing pretty much all of the ingredients stove-top, then rolling the rice krispie mixture into two-bite ball form, and finally dipping the tops in melted milk chocolate chips.

And let me tell you, waiting that little bit of time to allow the chocolate to set up is the hardest part!

Here's a glance at how I make my peanut butter rice krispie balls recipe: (or just jump to the full recipe...)

1. To get started, I place a large pot (at least 6 quarts) over medium heat, and allow the butter to melt. Once melted, I add in the peanut butter, and allow that to soften/melt in.
2. Then, I add in the marshmallows, and stir those in until they begin to melt, and once melted into a soft, fluffy mass, I pour in the crispy rice cereal and stir until everything is well combined.
3. Next, I carefully roll small, two-bite size portions of the marshmallow/cereal mixture between my palms to make balls, and set them onto a piece of parchment or wax paper to hold.
4. I melt the milk chocolate chips, and dip the tops of each of the peanut butter rice krispie balls into the melted chocolate, and place them back onto the parchment/wax paper to set up.
5. Finally, I sprinkle some of the chopped nuts over each peanut butter rice krispie ball, allow to set up for 30 to 45 minutes, then enjoy.

Recipe

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Balls

by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

These peanut butter rice krispie balls have chocolatey twist, and are the perfect two-bite treat to pop when you're craving an easy dessert!

Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Yield: 48 peanut butter rice krispie balls

Nutrition Info: 108 calories (per 2 balls)

Prep Time: 45 minutes (includes time needed for chocolate to set up)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
• ¼ cup salted, creamy peanut butter (I use organic or natural), room temp
• 10 ounce bag marshmallows (I use organic, when possible)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 cups rice krispies cereal (or any brand crispy rice cereal)
• ¾ cup milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Preparation:

1. Begin by gathering and prepping all of your ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
2. Place a large, non-stick pot (at least 6 quart) over medium heat, and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add in the peanut butter, and allow that to soften and melt into the butter.
3. Then, add in the marshmallows and the vanilla extract, and stir those in, allowing them to gently melt into the butter/peanut butter mixture, carefully stirring with a rubber spatula to blend well.
4. Once the marshmallows are melted, turn the heat off and add the rice krispie cereal, and stir gently/fold to combine well.
5. When fairly well combined, bring the warm rice krispie mixture over to a work surface and carefully begin rolling small, two-bite size balls of the cereal mixture between your palms, compressing a little bit as you roll to help them form (mixture may be quite warm, so be careful).
6. Set the peanut butter rice krispie balls onto a large piece of parchment or wax paper, and once all of the mixture is rolled into the balls, prepare the milk chocolate to dip them into.
7. To melt the chocolate, add the milk chocolate chips to a bowl set over a pot of simmering water (double-boiler method), and stir the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula until they are melted (alternatively, you can use the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring until melted).
8. Bring the melted chocolate over to your work area, and begin dipping the top of each peanut butter rice krispie ball into the melted milk chocolate, then place back onto the parchment or wax paper once again to set slightly. After dipping about 5 balls, sprinkle a little of the finely chopped peanuts over their tops while the chocolate is still warm so that the nuts stick.
9. Repeat this with all of the rice krispie balls, and then allow them to set slightly, for about 30 to 45 minutes.
10. Once set, place the peanut butter rice krispie balls onto a platter to serve, or into a container. You can enjoy these immediately, and keep any uneaten at room temp for up to a several days in a covered container.

Tips & Tidbits for my peanut butter rice krispie balls recipe:

• Natural creamy peanut butter for flavor: If you can find a brand of natural creamy and salted peanut butter, opt for that for the most amount of peanut-y flavor. You can certainly use any brand of peanut butter you'd like, I just tend to like natural brands, such as “Justin's” for flavor and texture.
• Organic marshmallows, or a classic brand: Because I like to use organic ingredients whenever possible (even when making naughty, sweets treats!) I like to use organic marshmallows if I can find them. But feel free to use whichever brand you like, or whichever brand you can find.
• Rice krispies cereal, or other crispy rice cereal: I like classic rice krispies cereal for this recipe, but it isn't necessary to use those. You can use any brand of crispy rice cereal that's convenient for you to use.
• Sprinkle on the chopped nuts while the chocolate is warm: To help the little topping of finely chopped peanuts adhere to the melted chocolate tops, I dip about 5 peanut butter rice krispie balls into chocolate and set on the paper, then sprinkle some chopped nuts over them. This way, the chocolate doesn't begin to set up before you get all the balls dipped and topped with peanuts.

Craving more sweet, cozy treats? Check out these delicious Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, these Chocolate Truffles, these No Bake Energy Bites, these Snickers Brownies, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, or these Chubby Hubby Cookies!

Cook's Note: This recipe was originally published in 2012, and has been updated with even more love!