This peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats recipe is a fun twist on a classic childhood favorite. Made with creamy peanut butter, gooey marshmallows, and a sweet layer of strawberry jelly, these no-bake bars taste just like a PB&J sandwich in dessert form. If you love easy desserts like this, be sure to check out all of my peanut butter recipes for more delicious ideas.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert / Snack
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 12 bars
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Sweet, nutty, fruity, chewy
- 🍚 Best Served With: Milk, coffee, fruit and peanut butter Rice Krispie balls
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes
Summarize and Save This Content On
This peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats recipe is a quick and easy way to upgrade classic Rice Krispies treats with a fun PB&J twist. The creamy peanut butter adds richness, while the sweet jelly layer creates a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. Whether you're making them for kids, parties, or an easy no-bake dessert, these layered treats are always a crowd favorite.
This layered peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats recipe was inspired by my peanut butter and jelly uncrustables and peanut butter and jelly ice cream recipe on this site, and pairs well with this peanut butter fluff.
Jump to:
- Recipe Essentials
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make PB&J Rice Krispie Treats
- Expert Tips for Soft and Chewy Rice Krispies
- Can You Make Peanut Butter Jelly Rice Krispie Treats Ahead of Time?
- How to Layer Peanut Butter and Jelly
- How to Keep Rice Krispies from Getting Hard
- Storage Directions
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe FAQs
- More Rice Krispie Recipes
- Peanut Butter Jelly Rice Krispies
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture: Soft, chewy, and slightly gooey
- Classic PB&J flavor: Tastes just like your favorite sandwich in dessert form
- No-bake recipe: Great for quick and easy desserts
- Kid-friendly: A nostalgic treat kids love
- Great for sharing: Perfect for parties and gatherings
- Quick prep time: Ready in under 20 minutes
- Customizable: Easy to switch up flavors
- Fun layered look: Makes them stand out on dessert trays
Ingredients
This peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to create a rich, chewy, no-bake dessert.
- Rice Krispies: Fresh cereal is best to provide structure and crunch.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps melt marshmallows. If you only have unsalted butter then add ½ teaspoon of salt to your cereal mixture to help balance the sweetness of the marshmallows.
- Mini marshmallows: Create the gooey base and fresh is always best.
- Peanut butter: Adds creamy, nutty flavor. Crunchy peanut butter will work in a pinch.
- Strawberry jelly: Brings sweetness and fruity contrast.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Swap Jelly: Use grape jelly, mixed berry, raspberry or your favorite jam or jelly
- Add a Spread: Add more peanut butter, Nutella, honey or my hazelnut spread, melted chocolate chips or anything else your heart desires.
- Crunchy Treats: Use crunchy peanut butter and add a sprinkling of chopped nuts in the middle layer or blended in with the Rice Krispie mixture.
How to Make PB&J Rice Krispie Treats
This layered rice krispie dessert is simple to make with just a few easy steps. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish in butter or nonstick spray and set aside.
Step 1: Melt Marshmallows. Melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Once the butter is completely melted, add the marshmallows. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are completely melted. Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated.
Gently fold in the rice cereal, ensuring it is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture.
Step 2: Make Treats. Spread half of your cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread the strawberry jelly over the surface of Rice Krispies and then top with the remaining cereal mixture.
Let your Rice Krispies cool on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Expert Tips for Soft and Chewy Rice Krispies
- Use fresh marshmallows: Creates softer, gooier texture
- Add peanut butter off heat: Prevents separation
- Press mixture gently: Keeps bars soft instead of dense
- Warm jelly slightly to layer: Makes spreading easier
- Layer evenly: Ensures balanced PB&J flavor
- Use parchment paper: Makes removal clean and easy. There is plenty of butter in the Rice Krispie treats, so they shouldn't stick to the pan but we like to coat it just to be safe.
- Use Mini Marshmallows: They're easier to measure out and will melt down faster than regular sized marshmallows.
- Let bars cool fully: Helps layers set properly. This will ensure you have clean cuts and your bars don't start to collapse when you remove them from the pan.
- Store at room temperature: Keeps bars chewy and soft. You can store these bars on the counter for up to a week. Keep them in an airtight container to keep them from going stale.
- Use low heat: Prevents butter and marshmallows from burning.
If you love recipes like these peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats you may also enjoy our peanut butter and jelly french toast and peanut butter graham cracker sandwiches.
Can You Make Peanut Butter Jelly Rice Krispie Treats Ahead of Time?
Yes, peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for several days, making them perfect for parties, meal prep, and lunchbox snacks.
How to Layer Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Press the base layer evenly into the pan
- Warm the jelly slightly for easy spreading
- Spread a thin, even layer of jelly
- Add remaining cereal mixture on top
- Press gently to hold layers together
- Let cool completely before slicing
How to Keep Rice Krispies from Getting Hard
- Use fresh marshmallows
- Melt on low heat
- Avoid overmixing
- Press gently into the pan
- Store in an airtight container
Storage Directions
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months in an airtight container.
Reheat: Microwave for 5-10 seconds to soften if they become firm.
Make Ahead: Prepare ahead and store until ready.
Serving Suggestions
- Pack in lunchboxes, serve at parties or after dinner with Golden Crisp marshmallow cereal bars and samoa Rice Krispie treats
- Enjoy as a grab and go snack anytime
- Add to dessert trays with fresh fruit, Oreo brookies and chocolate cookie dough brownie bites
Recipe FAQs
To make peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats, melt butter and marshmallows, stir in peanut butter, then fold in Rice Krispies cereal. Press half the mixture into a pan, spread jelly on top, then add the remaining cereal mixture and let set before slicing.
Rice Krispie treats become hard when marshmallows are overheated or the mixture is pressed too firmly into the pan. Use low heat and press gently to keep the bars soft and chewy.
Yes, peanut butter jelly Rice Krispies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for several days.
No, these treats do not need refrigeration. Store them at room temperature in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
Yes, but natural peanut butter should be stirred well before using. It can separate more easily, which may slightly affect the texture of the bars.
Yes, you can freeze peanut butter jelly Rice Krispies for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Strawberry jelly is the most popular choice, but grape, raspberry, or mixed berry jam all work well. Choose a thick jelly for easier layering.
To keep Rice Krispie treats soft, use fresh marshmallows, melt ingredients over low heat, and store in an airtight container. Avoid pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan.
Yes, you can substitute other crispy cereals, but the texture may change. Classic Rice Krispies give the best light and chewy consistency.
Yes, these treats are very kid-friendly. They taste like a dessert version of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and are perfect for lunchboxes and snacks.
Peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats last up to 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For best texture, keep them sealed to prevent drying out. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Yes, you can use jam instead of jelly in peanut butter jelly Rice Krispie treats. Jam has a thicker texture and contains fruit pieces, which can add extra flavor and texture to the bars. Just make sure to spread it evenly so the layers hold together properly.
More Rice Krispie Recipes
Do you love chewy no-bake Rice Krispie treats? Here are more recipes you may enjoy trying.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Peanut Butter Jelly Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ½ cup salted butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups strawberry jelly
Instructions
- Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish in butter or nonstick spray and set aside. Melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the butter is completely melted, add the marshmallows. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are completely melted. Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the rice cereal, ensuring it is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture.
- Spread half of your cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread the strawberry jelly over the surface of Rice Krispies and then top with the remaining cereal mixture.
- Let your Rice Krispies cool on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh marshmallows: Creates softer, gooier texture
- Add peanut butter off heat: Prevents separation
- Press mixture gently: Keeps bars soft instead of dense
- Warm jelly slightly to layer: Makes spreading easier
- Layer evenly: Ensures balanced PB&J flavor
- Use parchment paper: Makes removal clean and easy. There is plenty of butter in the Rice Krispie treats, so they shouldn't stick to the pan but we like to coat it just to be safe.
- Use Mini Marshmallows: They're easier to measure out and will melt down faster than regular sized marshmallows.
- Let bars cool fully: Helps layers set properly. This will ensure you have clean cuts and your bars don't start to collapse when you remove them from the pan.
- Store at room temperature: Keeps bars chewy and soft. You can store these bars on the counter for up to a week. Keep them in an airtight container to keep them from going stale.
- Use low heat: Prevents butter and marshmallows from burning.
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