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Learn how to make my family’s recent obsession, chocolate rice crispy treats, using my no-bake recipe! They’re made with 3 simple ingredients and yield crispy and gooey bars.
If you’re craving more rice crispy recipes, try my protein rice krispies, homemade crunch bars, or caramilk slices next!
Table of Contents
We didn’t get much cereal growing up, so I never developed an affinity for it. But once I went to college and had to start making my own meals, I became obsessed.
For this recipe, I wanted to combine the nostalgic flavors of my star crunch cookie recipe with the crispy texture of peanut butter rice krispie treats. The results are a crackling, crispy treat made with a handful of wholesome ingredients.
Why I love this recipe
- Made with 3 ingredients. Nut butter, chocolate rice crispies, and maple syrup are all you need.
- The perfect texture. The texture is crispy (obviously!), chewy, and gooey simultaneously. You won’t be able to stop with one.
- Healthier than classic rice krispie treats. I made sure these treats weren’t filled with oversweet marshmallows, corn syrup, or artificial ingredients.
- Great for parties. I always bring rice crispy treats to parties because they’re a universal people-pleaser, and the recipe is easy to scale up or down depending on how many people you’re feeding.
Key ingredients
- Cocoa krispies. The most crucial ingredient for this recipe! Any cocoa rice crisps work, but I recommend choosing a good quality brand, as I’ve found they remain crispy for a long time versus the cheaper brands. Look for gluten-free crispy rice cereal if needed.
- Almond butter. I love the almond butter flavor, but you can use any nut butter. I tried it with peanut butter but found it a little overpowering.
- Maple syrup. It adds some extra sweetness and also binds the bars together. If you prefer honey or agave, use that instead.
How to make chocolate rice krispie treats
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, melt the nut butter and maple syrup until smooth.
Step 2- Combine. Add the cereal to the bowl and stir to combine.
Step 3- Shape. Pour the batter into the pan and press into an even layer.
Step 4- Slice. Chill until firm, then slice into bars.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Grease the parchment paper. A little cooking spray is all you need to keep the mixture from sticking. The same goes for your spatula–trust me!
- Use a sharp knife. Run your knife under hot water or lightly coat it in melted butter to get even-sized squares.
- Make them in advance. Because they stay fresh for a week, you can make them a few days before your party.
Variations
- Sea salt. Bring out the chocolate flavor with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt once they’re fresh out of the fridge.
- Vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Mix-ins. Fold in mini marshmallows or milk chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.
- Cover in chocolate drizzle. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle the melted chocolate over the treats before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
When I can’t find chocolate-flavored crispy rice cereal, I’ll use classic rice Krispies but add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. You may want to add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup to adjust the texture.
Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate rice krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your crispy rice cereal and set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your almond butter and maple syrup together.
- Pour the mixture into the crispy rice cereal and mix well.
- Pour mixture into the lined baking tray and press firmly into place. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Notes
Nutrition
More no-bake desserts
- Almond Roca
- Peanut brittle
- Cookie dough bites
- No bake oatmeal cookies
- Or any of these no-bake desserts
Originally published December 2015, updated and republished December 2024
This I made long time even before this recipe. Its soooo good! Crispy.
I was allowed ALL the sugary cereal. I was the kind of friend everyone was happy to visit for their sugar fix. And I never got the hype because I was never deprived maybe.
My all time favorites were Kellogs Coco Pops because you got to drink cocoa after eating the cereal 😀
Hahahaha I’m jealous! OH yes!!!! They are the best!
My dad gave us free range for pretty much anything, which looking back, was not the best. And maybe contributed to my ginormous sweet tooth. Example: my favorite snack was a croissant stuffed with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Ew? …nope. Still YUM.
Oh WHAT. That actually sounds incredible!
It’s in the refrigerator now! Just cleaning the bowl I am not sure I want to share! Yummy!!
Love Rice Krispy Treats!
They are too good!
Lolol. I was only allowed to have sugary cereals once in a blue moon, and I started out with Lucky Charms, until I realized that the actual cereal outside of the marshmallows is pretty much worthless, which is when I switched over to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Best. Forever.
I actually really enjoyed the cereal you ate at Meg’s…well the peanut butter one. 🙂
Dear Arman, these sound irresistible! What a great snack option…I haven’t made rice krispy treats in ages. You have inspired me with this simple 3-ingredient batch. Take care my friend, Catherine
Thanks so much, Catherine!
We had the good stuff: Fruity Pebbles, Apple Jacks, COOKIE CRISP. That one was my favorite. These treats sound completely delish.
I think I saw a cereal by Hershey’s the other day….not even kidding.
We did not have good cereal. I never really bought it for my kids either until recently. Don’t judge me, my oldest son is a junk food junkie and I have given up…I buy it for him. Thankfully my other two aren’t even interested in the “good” cereal…they eat much more nutritiously. These look yummy and I know they would happily get eaten here! When my kids were little, we used to make rice krispie castles for their birthday cakes (they don’t like cake either). I know, weird.
Hahaha no that’s awesome- My sister and I used to sneak in a box or two and treat it like contraband!
RICE CRISPY CASTLES? Oh my.
In my household, we did not eat any sugary cereals. My mom always bought the boring cereals, and cooked either oatmeal or Cream of Rice and added raisins.
Oh wow- I only tried oatmeal for the first time in university!
Our mums sound very similar. Mine was conscious of eating mostly organic and nutritious food for a long time of me growing up so you definitely didn’t find sugary cereals in our house regularly. I had that one friend who had both a grandma serving us all the sugary treats + “Käsebrötchen” (look it up on Google!) AND a Playstation. Needless to say I quite enjoyed visiting her ;).
OMG. I need that in my life right now!
I wasn’t allowed all the sugary cereals when I was a kid either. I got my fix at friends’ houses or I just added white sugar to the regular bland cereals. It worked like a charm.
DUDE. Best idea ever adding white sugar to normal cereal!
You mean your mum didn’t keep a box of Frosted Sugar Cinnamon Cocoa Bombs in the house? How dare she? Guess you’ll just have to make up for it by downing these treats instead. Delicious!
I know, right? How dare she!
We were definitely not the fun cereal house. I got to pick a “snack cereal” occasionally and it was usually peanut butter cap’n crunch 🙂
Haha I think your kids are fortunate to have you as a mum with your breakfasts 🙂