Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe
Today we are making Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe! Imagine the gooey, chewy satisfaction of a classic Rice Krispies treat layered with the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate, then transformed into a vegan-friendly, no-bake delight! These Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeye Rice Krispies combine all the nostalgic elements of childhood desserts with a fresh, plant-based twist. From the soft marshmallow rice krispies base to the creamy peanut butter center and finally, a layer of rich chocolate, this treat is a trifecta of indulgence that everyone can enjoy.
Inspired by traditional Buckeye candies, these bars take the classic peanut butter-chocolate pairing to new heights. Buckeyes are known for their creamy peanut butter centers and chocolate coating, but here, they’re given a fun twist with a crunchy rice krispies base. It’s a dessert that feels familiar yet exciting, bringing together the best of two beloved sweets in each bite. These bars are also a great option for gatherings or potlucks; they’re easy to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to disappear quickly!
Whether you’re vegan or simply looking for a unique dessert, these Buckeye Rice Krispies are an ideal choice. They come together with just a few ingredients and don’t require any baking, making them perfect for last-minute sweet cravings. With the satisfying crunch of rice krispies, the creamy peanut butter, and the irresistible chocolate topping, these bars will quickly become a favorite treat in your household.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe
The Perfect Sweet & Salty Combo for Any Craving – These Vegan Buckeye Rice Krispies bars deliver all the classic flavors you love in a fun, layered twist. Each bite combines the nostalgic gooeyness of marshmallow rice krispies with a creamy, slightly salty peanut butter layer and a rich chocolate top. It’s a satisfying blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy that will keep you coming back for more—ideal for snack attacks or when you need a little pick-me-up.
Quick, No-Bake, and Easy to Make – Forget the hassle of baking! This recipe is wonderfully simple and doesn’t require an oven, making it a perfect go-to treat when you’re short on time or just want something fuss-free. With minimal prep and only a short chill time, these bars come together fast, meaning you can whip them up in under 30 minutes for an effortlessly impressive dessert that’s ready to serve at gatherings or enjoy as a quick weekday snack.
Substitutions
Vegan Butter: Do not use refined coconut oil or another substitute here. As the butter melts, it gives that rice krispy flavor and aroma when it toasts along with the melted marshmallows! I like using Melt brand of salted dairy-free butter sticks.
Rice Krispies: Use Rice Krispies cereal that’s certified gluten free. Another substitute can be puffed brown rice cereal or another gluten-free rice cereal, but it doesn’t give that same crisp rice cereal crunch. If you don’t need them to be 100% gluten-free, you can use regular Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal.
Vegan Marshmallows: Regular marshmallows are not vegan (or even vegetarian) because they contain gelatin. Gelatin is an animal-based food ingredient because it is a protein that is extracted by boiling animal parts (normally from cows or pigs) with water. Agar agar is a common vegan substitute that is used in replacement of vegan gelatin.
However, this amazing brand called Dandies makes the BEST vegan marshmallows. Their taste and texture is just like their commonly-used gelatin counterpart. They even melt just like regular marshmallows do on the stovetop in Rice Krispies recipes!
I buy their regular-sized vegan marshmallows, which are available at the grocery stores in my area. You can also buy them online. Alternatively, you can use the equivalent number of cups of the mini marshmallows version that this brand sells. The mini ones are way easier to melt and measure too.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works great, but the crunchy version will be fine as well. Opt for natural peanut butter, where the only ingredient on the label is 100% peanuts. Other peanut butters already have additional sugar and oil added, which will change the texture of this layer. Depending on the type of peanut butter selected, adjust the ingredients as per taste and desired texture.
Chocolate: Look for semisweet chocolate chips, chocolate chunks or a plain chocolate bar that does not contain any added dairy (such as milk or milk powder). You can also use dark chocolate, but it is more bitter than semisweet and will not taste as great.
Icing Sugar: You can buy vegan icing sugar (this brand is my go-to) online or in the vegan/natural foods aisles at some grocery stores. If you have white sugar and cornstarch on hand, you can blend 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 cup of white sugar, to get 1 cup of icing sugar.
Vegan Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe Notes
- These work great at a Halloween potluck and can easily be customized to make them nut-free (use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter)! They’re easy to saran wrap and package individually as well.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
Birthday Cake Funfetti Rice Krispies
Cranberry Almond Granola Rice Krispies
If you make this Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Buckeye Rice Krispies Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Large Skillet
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
For the Rice Krispies
- 6 tbsp salted vegan butter
- 1 10-ounce bag vegan marshmallows
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch pink salt
- 3½ cups gluten-free Rice Krispies
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 7 tbsp vegan confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
- 2 tbsp salted vegan butter
For the Chocolate Layer
- ½ cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips
- 8 tsp salted vegan butter
Instructions
For the Rice Krispies
- In a skillet over low heat, add in the butter, salt, vanilla and marshmallows.
- Stir to combine with a rubber spatula. Keep stirring until the butter and marshmallows are melted and it becomes one mixture.
- Turn off the heat. Add the crisp cereal to the mixture, one cup at a time, stirring in between until mixed.
- Once it all becomes one big mixture, pat the cereal mixture down into a square baking tray lined with wax paper or greased with extra butter. Use a spatula or grease your hands with some butter before doing so.
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- Now that the skillet has been emptied of the rice krispies mixture, add in the peanut butter layer ingredients.
- Stir over low heat, until it becomes one mixture. Remove from the heat and pat the mixture evenly down over the rice krispies, using a spatula.
For the Chocolate Layer
- Once the skillet has been cleared of the peanut butter mixture, add in the chocolate layer ingredients.
- Stir over low heat, until melted.
- Evenly pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer.
- Let the mixture set for 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Then cut into 9 servings and enjoy!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to four days.
