Reese’s Crispy Cereal Bars – You’re average rice crispy treats are getting a makeover thanks to lots of peanut butter and chocolate. Made only with Reese’s Puffs cereal, Reese’s Pieces, marshmallows and butter, this will be your new favorite afternoon treat!
If you’ve been following this blog regularly, you know how I feel about peanut butter and chocolate. This duo is one of my favorites and I am not shy about sayin’ it. In fact, I have tons of recipes on the blog that highlight this love affair of mine. Some of my favorites are:
- Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies – Soft peanut butter cookies loaded with chocolate chips and Reese’s Pieces
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Souffles – Chocolate cake with a gooey peanut butter center
- Monster Cookies – Peanut butter, M&M’s, oats, and chocolate chips. Need I say more?
- Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate – A drinkable version of my favorite combo
I realized that it’s been far too long that I last shared a peanut butter chocolate recipes so I just had to bring you something new today. This recipe is incredibly easy and features this duo in a whole new way.
Check out my Reese’s Crispy Cereal Bars!
This crispy cereal bars are similar to rice krispy treats but with a bigger crunch from the bigger cereal and added richness from the Reese’s Pieces candies sprinkled throughout. I almost added more peanut butter to the melted marshmallow for even more PB flavor, but I held back. These bars stand so great on their own so there’s no need to get crazy just because I can.
These bars come together faster than you can imagine. If you’ve made rice krispy treats, they process for these bars is almost identical. If you have no experience making cereal bars before, have no fear! They are the easiest snack to make – promise!
First, we need to melt up the marshmallows to serve as our “glue” for the cereal. But if you just try to melt marshmallows on the stove or microwave on their own, they will be wayyyy to stiky to handle. So we also add melted butter to make the mixture more manageable.
Next, you add the melted marshmallow to the cereal and move quickly to combine them together with the Reese’s Pieces. As time passes, the marshmallow will cool and become stiff and hard to mix so it’s important to move fast.
The final sets are up to you. If you don’t mind a gooey bar, then go ahead and slice and eat the cereal bars without letting them set. I tend to fall into this category when I’m desperately trying to satisfy my sweet tooth.
But if you want the bars to look neat, with perfect edges, you must let them sit and set until the marshmallow has cooled enough to make the bars solid.
Now, I’ve already given you some pretty great tips above to ensure these bars come out perfectly. However, that didn’t keep me from thinking of a couple more:
- Don’t forget to grease you pan before adding the prepared mixture to it. That marshmallow goo is incredibly sticky so you’ll have a hard time taking the bars out of the pan without greasing it first.
- I find that a rubber spatula is the best tool to use to mix everything together and spread into the dish since the marshmallow doesn’t stick too much to it.
Okay people, there you have it – you’re next peanut butter chocolate obsession. I can’t wait for you to give it a try.
And hey, let this recipe inspire you to try all kinds of cereals in crispy bars. I’ve also tried them with Lucky Charms and loved it!
Reese's Crispy Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 7 cups Reese's Puffs cereal
- 4 tablespoons butter salted
- 10 ounces mini-marshmallows
- 4 ounces Reese's Pieces
Instructions
- Measure out 7 cups of cereal and place in large bowl. set aside. Prepare a 13x9 dish by spraying with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Add butter to a medium/large saucepan. Melt over medium heat. Once melted, add marshmallows and stir continuously until the marshmallows turn gooey and liquefied, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add melted marshmallows directly over the cereal. Quickly toss together to evenly coat the cereal. Add in 2/3 of the Reese's Pieces and gently toss together.
- Place mixture into prepare 13x9 pan and press down with wooden spoon or spatula. Quickly sprinkle on remaining Reese's Pieces and press into mixture to help them stick.
- If you don't mind messy bars, you may enjoy immediately. But if you want clean-cut bars, let them cool in the fridge for at least one hour.
Notes
Pin for later:
More treats you’ll love:
Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
Monster Cookies
Churro Marshmallow Bites
Peanut Butter S’mores Cookies
MMMM! I love cereal bars. These look so yummy!
Thanks!
My 3 year old always calls granola bars “cereal bars” – it’s his favorite quick and easy breakfast for his walk to preschool. It would totally blow his little Reeses-loving mind to know that these are also called “cereal bars” and I’ve been holding out on him whenever he asks for a cereal bar.. ha!
Oh these look tempting, I know my kids would devour them! Yum!
Love the makeover, why did we wait so long lol! If I can’t find this cereal, can I use Reese’s pieces candy with another cereal instead maybe? tysm
I love this take on a ‘rice krispy treat’. I’ve always thought that the cereal in those really brought nothing special to the dessert. I love the idea of using peanut butter cereal to make this more interesting. I’m going to have to try this next time I’m packing a picnic.
My kids are going to love these bars!! These are right up their alley! Your pictures are so beautiful! It make me want to reach into the screen and grab one!!
How have I never made anything like this before?? It looks so yummy and my family is chocolate peanut butter crazed. This is going on my list of things to make with the kids this summer!
So now that I know my favorite candy Reeces is in a cereal you have made my day. On top of that, we have these amazing Reeces cereal bars, hello delicious!
Could the butter be substituted for peanut butter?
No the butter is used to keep the marshmallow mixture from sticking while it melts. The peanut butter doesn’t have enough fat to do the same.
Is there anything not improved with chocolate and peanut butter!? If there is, I don’t want to know, ha! These look like such a fun spin on a classic – so perfect for a casual summer get-together or pool date with the kids!
Reese’s Pieces have been one of my favorite candies since I was a kid! (I’d always order the Reese’s Pieces sundae at the ice cream shop.) I love the idea of using them in crispy cereal bars! What a fun and festive dessert to bring to a picnic or potluck. So great for guests of all ages!
These look SO good! Reece’s Puffs were my fav cereal when I was a kid… I will definitely make these for my nephews!!
Oh my gosh these look so delicious!
Ooh. I’ve had Fruity Pebble treats but never these!
My husband keeps begging me to make those but Fruity Pebbles aren’t my favorite. Maybe one day he’ll get lucky haha
These look like fun and delicious squares. I’m sure the kids and adults will devour them. Perfect for BBQ parties this summer.
Exactly – family friendly treats, for sure!
These look amazing! What a yummy treat for every peanut butter lover!
Yes, so true!
Wow! They look cool and yummy, and fun to make!
Yes, all the above!
It looks like you put lots of attention and care into these. Beautiful job!
Thanks!
These bars make a lovely treat. I need to make a batch over the weekend
Yes for sure!
Wow these are such a treat! I have to give this a try, you know, for my kids!! (not for me hahaha)
Haha yes, for the kids (wink, wink!)
These are so creative and look so so tasty! Love this easy peasy cereal bar recipe!
Thanks so much!
This is my bf’s favorite combo of ingredients too so I know he would love these! Yum!
Awesome! I hope he gets to try them soon!
I love rice krispies treats and these look and sound even more delicious! Nothing beats peanut butter desserts 🙂
So true!!
These look great! What I love about cereal bars is how you can just throw anything in.
Yes so true!