If you’ve never had Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies before, you’re in for an absolute treat! This recipe transforms everything you love about classic Rice Krispies treats and adds the irresistible combo of chocolate and peanut butter, dusted with a snowy coat of powdered sugar for good measure. Each bite crackles, melts, and satisfies simultaneously. It’s the perfect sweet snack for parties, holidays, or just a cozy night in—and the best part? Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies come together in minutes with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, making them truly impossible to resist!

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up a tray of Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies with just a handful of kitchen staples. Each ingredient here has a role to play, bringing either a burst of flavor, a dreamy texture, or that crave-worthy finishing touch.

Rice Krispies cereal: This is the base that gives each square its signature crunch and lightness.
Chocolate chips: Melting these forms the gooey, chocolaty glue that wraps each grain of cereal in decadent flavor.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds nutty richness and a super satisfying chewy texture.
Unsalted butter: A little goes a long way in making the chocolate and peanut butter delightfully silky.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon lends warmth and rounds out the chocolate-peanut combo.
Powdered sugar: Shaken or dusted over the top, this is the final touch that creates the iconic “Muddy Buddy” snowy look and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.

How to Make Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Start by measuring out all your ingredients. Pour the Rice Krispies into a large mixing bowl and set out your chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla right at hand. Having everything mise en place will make the process super smooth and mess-free, especially since things move quickly once the chocolate gets going.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Heat this mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until it’s completely melted and velvety smooth. Be patient and don’t rush—keeping the heat gentle prevents scorching and ensures everything blends to silky perfection.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add the melted butter and vanilla extract right into your warm chocolate-peanut mixture. Stir thoroughly until the butter dissolves and everything is luxuriously combined. The aroma at this point is absolutely divine—just try not to sneak a spoonful!

Step 4: Mix with Rice Krispies

Pour the glossy chocolate-peanut-butter mixture over your bowl of Rice Krispies. Using a large spatula or spoon, gently fold the cereal until every last bit is coated. Try to be gentle so you don’t crush the cereal—the goal is to keep those crunchy clusters intact.

Step 5: Spread and Cool

Turn the coated cereal out onto a baking sheet or into a pan. Spread it into an even layer using a spatula. Let it cool at room temperature so everything sets up into cohesive bars. If you’re in a rush, pop it in the fridge for a quicker set, but room-temp cooling helps preserve max crispiness.

Step 6: Add Powdered Sugar

Once the bars are cool and set, cut them into generous squares. For that classic Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies look, place the bars (or smaller pieces) into a large resealable bag with the powdered sugar. Gently shake to coat, or simply dust the sugar over the top with a sifter if you prefer a lighter touch. Either method is magic!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange your finished Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies on a tray, serve to friends or family, and bask in the shower of compliments. Every bite delivers the perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and sweet crunch!

How to Serve Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies

Garnishes

These bars are already delightful as-is, but you can jazz them up with an extra dusting of powdered sugar for extra wow-factor. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips over the top adds visual fun and more chocolatey goodness. For a festive touch, try scattering colorful sprinkles or edible glitter just before serving.

Side Dishes

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a creamy vanilla latte. If you’re serving them at a party, consider adding a platter of fresh strawberries or sliced bananas—the fruit’s freshness balances the sweet, rich flavors perfectly. For an after-school snack, a handful of salty pretzels on the side is pure snack heaven!

Creative Ways to Present

You can cut Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies into classic squares, or use cookie cutters for fun seasonal shapes. Stack the bars in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for easy gifting, or serve them up in mini cupcake liners for a cute, grab-and-go dessert. For parties, arrange bars on a tiered dessert stand alongside some classic Muddy Buddies for a double treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies as fresh as possible, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crunchy and delicious for 3 to 4 days—if they last that long! Make sure to layer parchment or waxed paper between bars to prevent sticking, especially if it’s warm in your kitchen.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies! Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. Freezing can dull the powdered sugar’s appearance, so consider an extra dusting before serving.

Reheating

These treats are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you’d like to freshen up bars from the fridge or freezer, simply let them sit out on the counter until they warm to room temp. Avoid microwaving—the chocolate and cereal can get unpleasantly soft or melt, losing that lovely crunchy texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Krispies?

Absolutely! While Rice Krispies create the classic airy crunch, you can experiment with other crisp cereals like Chex, cornflakes, or even puffed rice. Each swap delivers a slightly different texture, but they’ll all taste fantastic coated in that chocolate-peanut butter magic.

What kind of peanut butter works best?

Creamy peanut butter gives the smoothest texture and best binding power in Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies. Natural peanut butters can sometimes separate or be a bit oily, so if you use a natural version, make sure to stir it very well before measuring.

Can I make Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies nut-free?

You can! Substitute sunflower seed butter, soy nut butter, or your favorite nut-free spread for the peanut butter. The bars will still turn out rich, chewy, and safe for those with nut allergies.

How do I prevent the bars from sticking when cutting?

Letting the mixture cool thoroughly is key. For extra insurance, use a sharp knife lightly greased with butter or spray, and wipe it clean between cuts. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even lift the whole slab onto a cutting board before slicing for easy, tidy squares.

How do I keep the powdered sugar coating from clumping?

Make sure Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies are fully cooled before you add the powdered sugar—warm bars can melt the sugar, creating clumps. Shaking the bars gently in a large bag or sifting sugar evenly over the pieces also helps coat them without any sticky mess.

Final Thoughts

This easy, shareable Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies recipe is proof that the simplest ingredients can come together for a true showstopper treat. Whether you’re making snack time extra special or want a party dessert that disappears in minutes, give these a whirl—you’re going to fall in love with every sweet, crunchy bite!

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 19 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies are a fun twist on the classic cereal treat, combining the flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar for a delightful snack or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice Krispies Mixture:

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Chocolate Peanut Butter Coating:

2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing Touch:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, shaken (or 1/2 cup, sprinkled)

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Measure out the Rice Krispies cereal, chocolate chips, peanut butter, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract.
Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Combine Ingredients: Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture. Stir until well combined.
Mix with Rice Krispies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Krispies cereal with the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Gently fold until the cereal is evenly coated.
Spread and Cool: Spread the coated cereal mixture onto a baking sheet or into a pan. Allow it to cool and set before cutting into squares.
Add Powdered Sugar: Transfer the cooled bars into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar to the bag, seal it, and gently shake to coat the cereal bars with sugar. Alternatively, you can lightly dust the bars with the powdered sugar for prettier presentation.
Serve and Enjoy: Cut the Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies into squares and serve. Enjoy the delightful blend of textures and flavors!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Mixing, Chilling
Cuisine: American