Introduction
Buckeye rice krispie treats have always been more than just a dessert in our home — they’re a little piece of our family story. Every holiday season, my husband’s grandmother would carefully set out trays of these chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, each perfectly round with crispy rice mixed in for that irresistible crunch.
For me, making them now feels like carrying on her legacy — filling the kitchen with the smell of melted chocolate and peanut butter, hearing laughter from the next room, and feeling the quiet joy of creating something simple yet meaningful. Each batch brings back those warm memories and makes new ones to share.
If you love recipes with heart and history, you might also enjoy our strawberry shortcake recipe — another timeless favorite that always brings people together.
Table of Contents
Why Buckeye Rice Krispie Treats Are Everyone’s Favorite
A nostalgic twist on two beloved classics
These chocolate buckeye rice krispie treats blend two of the most iconic sweets: creamy, chocolate-dipped peanut butter buckeyes and crispy, marshmallowy rice krispie balls. The result is a bite-sized delight that’s chewy, crunchy, and decadently rich.
It’s a treat that appeals to everyone — kids love the sweetness and crunch, adults appreciate the homemade touch, and it’s easy enough to whip up without any fuss.
The perfect treat for holidays, parties, or anytime
Whether you’re assembling them for a holiday cookie platter, giving them as edible gifts, or just treating yourself after a long day, these peanut butter rice krispie treats are guaranteed to please. Their compact, bite-sized shape makes them ideal for sharing — but don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expected.
For another crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both fun and festive, check out our strawberry pretzel salad — a sweet & salty classic that’s always a hit at gatherings.
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Buckeye Rice Krispie Treats Recipe — Easy & Delicious!
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: About 30 treats 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, and smooth chocolate come together in these irresistible buckeye rice krispie treats — perfect for holidays, gifts, or just because. This no-bake, bite-sized dessert is simple to make yet always impressive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use natural peanut butter)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 pinch salt
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 ounces dipping chocolate
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter, softened butter, and salt until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the mixture comes together into a soft, dough-like consistency.
- Gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly distributed.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the mixture into mounds on the sheet.
- Chill in the freezer for about 10 minutes, then roll each mound into a smooth ball. Freeze again for another 10 minutes until firm.
- Meanwhile, melt the dipping chocolate in a heatproof bowl until smooth.
- Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip into the melted chocolate, leaving a small circle of peanut butter visible on top.
- Place dipped balls back on the tray and remove the toothpicks. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add an extra tablespoon of melted peanut butter at a time until it holds together.
- Store at room temperature (if cool) for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm.
- Freeze for longer storage, layered with wax paper, for up to a month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake / Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: approx. per treat
- Calories: 154 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 51 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need
Full list of ingredients with tips & substitutions
These buckeye rice krispie treats require just a few pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some handy tips.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (avoid natural peanut butter — it’s too oily)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 pinch salt
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (sift if you want a smoother filling)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but adds great flavor)
- 1¼ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 ounces dipping chocolate (chips or melting wafers work fine)
You can also try using dark or white chocolate for a different flavor, or roll the finished balls in crushed nuts instead of dipping them
If you’re looking for another simple, crowd-pleasing recipe to go alongside, try our refreshing creamy strawberry apple punch — it’s a perfect complement to these sweet bites
Recommended tools to make it simple and fun
One of the reasons people love making these buckeye rice krispie treats is that they don’t require any complicated gadgets. Still, a few handy tools can save you time and keep things neat:
- A medium-sized mixing bowl, big enough to combine everything without spilling.
- A small cookie scoop, which helps you portion out the peanut butter mixture evenly and quickly.
- Parchment or wax paper to line your tray, so nothing sticks when you chill or dip the balls.
- A hand mixer, if you prefer to blend the peanut butter and sugar more smoothly — though a sturdy spoon works too.
- A few toothpicks to hold each ball while you dip it into the melted chocolate, so your fingers stay clean and the coating stays smooth.
Setting these out before you start not only saves time but also makes the process feel more like a fun little assembly line than a chore.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Buckeye Rice Krispie Treats
The beauty of this buckeye rice krispie treats recipe is that it’s straightforward and forgiving. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a tray of irresistible chocolate-dipped bites before you know it.
Make the peanut butter mixture
Start by putting the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and a pinch of salt into a medium mixing bowl. Stir them together until they’re completely smooth. If you have a hand mixer, you can use it, but a sturdy spoon works just as well.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla next. In the beginning, the mixture might look dry and sandy — that’s normal. Keep mixing and pressing it together, and soon it will form a soft, cohesive dough.
When that’s ready, sprinkle in the Rice Krispies cereal. Gently work it through the dough, turning and folding until you see the crispy pieces distributed evenly, but still intact.
For another recipe that’s just as satisfying to make by hand and perfect to share, take a look at our best potato salad recipe — it’s a reliable favorite at any gathering.
Shape and chill the balls
Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out small mounds of the peanut butter mixture and place them on the tray.
Once you’ve scooped all the dough, set the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps firm up the mixture so it’s easier to roll.
After chilling, take each mound and roll it between your palms until smooth and round. Return the balls to the tray and freeze again for another 10 minutes.
Coat with chocolate
While the balls firm up, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. You can do this by microwaving it in 20–30 second bursts, stirring in between, or over a simple double boiler on the stove.
When the balls are ready, stick a toothpick into the top of each one. Dip each ball into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off, and leave a small circle of peanut butter visible on top.
Place the dipped balls back on the tray, pull out the toothpick, and smooth over the hole if you’d like. Chill them in the refrigerator for another few minutes until the chocolate sets.
At this point, they’re ready to enjoy — or to share, if you can resist eating them all yourself.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Even though this buckeye rice krispie treats recipe is simple and forgiving, there are a few helpful tips that can make your batch even better — and a few common pitfalls you can avoid.
Why your peanut butter rice krispie treats might crumble
If your mixture feels too dry or starts to fall apart when you roll it, don’t panic. This usually happens if the peanut butter-to-sugar ratio is slightly off or if the rice krispie cereal wasn’t mixed in gently enough. To fix it, you can warm a little extra peanut butter and stir it in, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together.
For best results, always use creamy peanut butter and avoid the natural kind — which tends to separate and make the dough greasy rather than smooth.
Keeping the chocolate smooth and glossy
When dipping your chocolate buckeye rice krispie treats, make sure the chocolate is fully melted and stirred until silky before you start. If it cools down or thickens while you’re working, just warm it slightly and keep going.
If you want a deeper flavor, you can even try using dark or bittersweet chocolate, which pairs beautifully with the sweet filling.
For another treat that’s as irresistible and glossy as these, take a look at our 4th of July jello recipe — it’s a showstopper on any dessert table.
Storing your treats properly
Once your peanut butter rice krispie treats are dipped and set, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature if your kitchen isn’t too warm. If you’re worried about the chocolate melting, keep them in the fridge.
They also freeze well — just place them in a sealed container with layers of wax paper in between and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Creative ideas and variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are lots of ways to change up this rice krispie balls recipe. You could make brown butter rice krispie treats by browning the butter before mixing. Or try rolling the balls in cocoa powder or crushed graham crackers instead of dipping them in chocolate.
For those who don’t like peanut butter, you can even make chocolate rice krispie balls without peanut butter, using marshmallow cream as the base instead.
Some families even refer to these as grandma’s chocolate rice krispie balls because they’ve been passed down for generations. No matter what variation you choose, these treats remain one of the most beloved rice krispie treats recipes you’ll find.
Fun Variations to Try
One of the best things about buckeye rice krispie treats is how easily you can make them your own. Below are a few creative twists that keep the spirit of the recipe but add a little extra flair.
Grandma’s chocolate rice krispie balls
If you grew up on these, you may have known them as grandma’s chocolate rice krispie balls, with marshmallow cream folded into the mixture for added sweetness and stickiness. These are slightly softer than the standard version and feel extra nostalgic.
Buckeye Crunch recipe
For a crunchy surprise, try a Buckeye Crunch recipe variation. Roll the finished balls in crushed pretzels or chopped nuts after dipping them in chocolate. The salty crunch balances the creamy sweetness beautifully.
Brown butter rice krispie treats
For a richer flavor, make a batch of brown butter rice krispie treats by browning the butter before mixing it into the peanut butter and sugar. This gives the filling a nutty, caramel-like depth that makes these even more irresistible.
Chocolate rice krispie balls without peanut butter
If you’re serving someone who can’t have peanuts, you can still enjoy these treats by making chocolate rice krispie balls without peanut butter. Use marshmallow cream and a little softened butter as your base, then stir in the cereal and shape as usual.
Rice krispie candy recipe
You can also flatten the peanut butter and cereal mixture into a pan, pour melted chocolate over the top, and cut them into squares instead of balls. This rice krispie candy recipe is perfect for serving larger crowds or when you’re short on time.
And if you enjoy recipes with unique flavor combinations, don’t miss our creamy strawberry apple punch — it’s a refreshing, colorful drink to serve alongside these sweet bites.
These fun variations make it easy to experiment while still staying true to the charm of the original buckeye recipe.
Health & Nutrition Insights
While these buckeye rice krispie treats are definitely a decadent snack, it’s always good to know what’s in them. Here’s a closer look at their nutrition, along with a few tips if you’re looking for ways to adjust the recipe for dietary needs.
Calories and macronutrients
Each peanut butter rice krispie treat is around 154 calories, with about 9 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein. They’re bite-sized, so it’s easy to enjoy one or two without going overboard. The Rice Krispies cereal adds a light, crispy texture without too many extra calories, making them feel lighter than they are.
For those keeping track, here’s an approximate breakdown per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~154 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~17 g |
| Protein | ~2 g |
| Fat | ~9 g |
| Saturated Fat | ~5 g |
| Cholesterol | ~3 mg |
| Sodium | ~51 mg |
| Fiber | ~0.4 g |
| Sugar | ~15 g |
Are rice krispie treats gluten free?
This is a common question. Traditional rice krispie treats recipes made with standard Rice Krispies cereal are not gluten free because the cereal contains malt flavoring. If you need a gluten-free option, look for a certified gluten-free crispy rice cereal. The rest of the ingredients — peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and chocolate — are naturally gluten-free.
How to make them a little lighter
If you want to enjoy these buckeye rice krispie treats but cut down on sugar or fat, here are a few ideas:
– Use a reduced-sugar chocolate for dipping
– Choose a cereal labeled low-sugar or gluten-free
– Shape smaller balls to keep portions modest
– Replace some powdered sugar with ground oats for texture
These small tweaks can make this rice krispie balls recipe a little more friendly to your goals while still keeping the flavor and crunch you love.
For another light and refreshing recipe to serve alongside, check out our hawaiian macaroni salad — it balances the richness of these treats beautifully.
With their irresistible combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and crispy cereal, it’s no wonder this buckeye recipe has remained one of the most popular rice krispie treats recipes for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It’s common to have a few questions before making buckeye rice krispie treats, especially if it’s your first time. Below are answers to the most frequent questions, so you can feel confident in every step.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter in Buckeyes?
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter in this buckeye rice krispie treats recipe, but keep in mind it will change the texture. The Rice Krispies cereal already gives plenty of crunch, so creamy peanut butter tends to balance better with the crispiness of the cereal. If you love an extra crunch, though, go ahead and try it — many people enjoy the added texture.
What is the secret to chewy rice krispie treats?
The secret to chewy peanut butter rice krispie treats is not overmixing the cereal and not over-chilling the mixture before shaping. You want the cereal to stay slightly airy and the filling to remain soft enough to bite into. If the mixture feels dry, you can add a little more peanut butter to bring back some moisture.
Why do bodybuilders eat Rice Krispies?
You may have noticed that rice krispie treats cereal is popular among bodybuilders and athletes as a quick, simple source of fast-digesting carbohydrates. This gives them a boost of energy before or after a workout. Although buckeye rice krispie treats aren’t exactly a health food, they do provide a similar quick energy kick — but with plenty of sweetness, too.
Why do my peanut butter rice krispie treats get hard?
If your rice krispie balls recipe ends up too hard, it’s usually because too much powdered sugar was added or the mixture was chilled for too long. To fix this, let them rest at room temperature for a bit before serving. Next time, mix gently and stop adding sugar once the dough comes together.
Are rice krispie treats gluten free?
The answer depends on the cereal you use. Many brands of rice krispie treats cereal contain malt flavoring, which has gluten. If you need gluten-free rice krispie treats recipes, choose a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal. Everything else in the buckeye recipe — peanut butter, sugar, butter, and chocolate — is naturally gluten-free.
Serving & Storing Ideas
Once your buckeye rice krispie treats are finished and the chocolate has set, it’s time to serve and store them properly so they stay as delicious as when you first made them.
How to serve buckeye rice krispie treats
These bite-sized treats are perfect for holiday platters, birthday parties, or even just a cozy movie night at home. Arrange your chocolate buckeye rice krispie treats on a festive tray, and sprinkle a little extra crushed Rice Krispies cereal or cocoa powder over the top for a pretty presentation.
If you’re including them in a dessert table, they pair wonderfully with other rice krispie treats recipes, like brown butter rice krispie treats or grandma’s chocolate rice krispie balls, giving your guests a variety of textures and flavors to enjoy.
You can also pack a few in a small box or tin as a thoughtful homemade gift. They travel well and keep their shape nicely, making them ideal for sharing.
How to store buckeye rice krispie treats
If you want your buckeye rice krispie treats to stay fresh and delicious, how you store them matters. After the chocolate has fully set, transfer the treats into a clean, airtight container. They keep nicely at room temperature for about two to three days, as long as your kitchen isn’t too hot.
On warmer days, or if your kitchen tends to be humid, it’s better to keep them in the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate from getting sticky. When you’re ready to serve, let them sit out for a few minutes so the peanut butter center softens and the flavors shine.
For longer storage, you can also freeze these rice krispie balls recipes without any trouble. Simply layer the treats in a freezer-safe container with sheets of wax or parchment paper in between to keep them from sticking together. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just take out what you need and let them thaw at room temperature — they’ll taste as good as the day you made them.
Conclusion & Join Our Community
When you set out a tray of buckeye rice krispie treats, you’re not just offering a sweet snack — you’re sharing a little bit of tradition, warmth, and nostalgia. These irresistible bites combine the creamy peanut butter filling of a classic buckeye recipe with the crunchy charm of rice krispie treats cereal, all wrapped up in rich chocolate.
Whether you serve them at a holiday party, gift them to friends, or keep a stash in your freezer for yourself, these peanut butter rice krispie treats always bring smiles. With so many ways to customize — like trying brown butter rice krispie treats or even making chocolate rice krispie balls without peanut butter — you can make the recipe your own each time.
We’d also love to see your creations and hear how your buckeye rice krispie treats turn out! Share your results and join the conversation with our vibrant community on Facebook, and don’t forget to browse more creative ideas on our Pinterest boards — where you’ll find even more recipes to inspire your next dessert table.
Here’s to keeping traditions alive — one batch of delicious, crunchy, chocolate-coated treats at a time.