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Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats! You don’t need to be a baker to make these deliciously EASY homemade krispie treats. These bars require no oven time, use just 7 pantry staple ingredients, are made without extra sugars, and take almost no effort to make. They’re sweet, salty, peanutty, extra chocolatey, and just a little bit addicting. Best part? They’re fun to make no matter what your age. The perfect treat to bring along to your next summer party.

overhead photo of Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats with knife in photo

This week could not have needed these bars more. It’s been long and hard and definitely requires chocolate. Do you ever have those weeks when almost nothing goes right? That was 100% this week, but it’s OK, I know it happens. I also know that life could be a million and one times worse. So instead of complaining, I’m just going to focus on these chocolate bars that I really love so much.

It’s Friday, so keeping things short and sweet today, because honestly, we should all get off the computer (or phone) and do something outside. Spend time with your favorite human, favorite animal, or bake something your love.

I’d suggest all 3 things and in the order listed. Time outside to get some fresh air, then find your favorite human (calling little sister, Asher), favorite animal (come on Merle), and bake up something GOOD together. Preferably these bars, which are actually NO BAKE. Which is cool, because the days are heating up (not so much for us…enter my giant side-eye glare). It’s that time of year when no-bake desserts are ideal.

overhead photo of Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats before being cut

Yes, this time of year always has me inspired to create simpler recipes. Like the ones my mom would make when I was a kid. Her go-to summer dessert was her Special K-Bars (updated recipe can be found in the HBH cookbook). They are so easy and a true crowd pleaser. Nothing not to love about a no-bake chocolate peanut butter bar. So I decided to make my own version.

Enter my chocolate covered brown butter krispie treats.

overhead close up photo of Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats

Here’s the quick rundown…

These treats require 7 ingredients that you probably have in your pantry at this very moment: butter, honey, maple, peanut butter, brown rice crisps, chocolate chips, and pretzels. Maybe not the brown rice crisps, I like to use these healthier crisps.

They take maybe 10 minutes to put together, an hour to set up and chill, and .5 seconds to devour.

There is also browned butter involved, which kind of puts these treats over the top. Meaning they’re better than any other. Slightly healthier too because there’s no marshmallows or processed sugars. Instead, I like to use a mix of raw honey and real maple syrup.

Peanut butter helps hold them together…and make them extra delicious. If you can’t do peanut butter… almond butter, cashew butter, or sunbutter are all equally great options.

There’s a very thick layer of dark chocolate on top. It’s perfection in every which way. If you wanted, you could use semi-sweet or milk chocolate too. Make a krispie treat you love.

They have a touch of crunch and salt from the pretzels. Which are not a must, but a delicious addition in my opinion.

And you know what? They’re really simple, really easy, and really good!

Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats with bars flipped over to expose the underside

What I love most about these bars is that they take me back to being a kid. They’re not classic rice krispie treats, but they have some similarities, and most importantly, they taste so good. The saltiness from the pretzels makes them a touch addicting. But since these are the “healthier” version of the classic krispie treat, that’s OK. It’s also the weekend, so we can live a little. Just get outside and get moving!

I’m already planning to make these all summer long. They’ll be great for making ahead of time and taking to picnics and potluck dinners with friends.

My one piece of advice? Double the recipe, these are always the first to disappear at every party.

overhead photo of Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats with bars cut into squares

If you make these chocolate covered brown butter krispie treats, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Watch the How To Video:

Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Krispie Treats

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
chill time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 20
Calories Per Serving: 1350 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
    2. Add the butter to a large pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often. Remove from the heat and add the honey, maple, and peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Stir in the brown rice krispies, tossing well to combine. Spread the mix out into the prepared pan, packing it in tightly. 
    3. Melt the chocolate chips and pour the melted chocolate over the bars, spreading in an even layer. Press the pretzels into the chocolate. Transfer the bars to the fridge and chill 1 hour or until set. Remove from the fridge 10-15 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve! Store in the fridge.
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Comments

  1. 3 stars
    I think the metric conversion is incorrect for the krispies suspect that’s why people have found they fall apart. I think the volume/weight conversion is for brown rice… Rather then rice krispies!

    I threw in as many rice krispies as were in a full box and it was still under 400g but I forged ahead anyway. Yummy!

  2. 5 stars
    These are so so good and literally the easiest thing in the world. And the best thing about them is they are so versatile. You can work with whatever ingredients you have in house. I.e.’once I didn’t have maple syrup but I had just enough marshmallows left, or one time I didn’t have peanut butter but replaced with almond butter. So so easy and taste great.

  3. I was really hoping to make these for an event next weekend. Has anyone made these where they did NOT fall apart? A lot of the comments said they didn’t hold well together.

    1. Hey Sunny, I can only speak from my experience and when I make these I don’t have issues with them falling apart. Just make sure the bars are well chilled and don’t use a peanut butter that separates. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  4. 3 stars
    I had the same problem today! Followed recipe exactly, but they fell apart. It seems like the honey and maple syrup were not sticky enough to hold them together. They did taste delicious, but definitely not a good choice for company. That part was disappointing!

    1. Hey Mary, what brands are you using for the peanut butter, honey, and maple? Wondering if they vary from the ones I use? Regarless, so sorry for the trouble, but happy you still enjoyed the bars! Hope I can help fix the recipe for you! xTieghan

    1. HI! Yes, you can use an equal amount of honey. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  5. 5 stars
    I made this recipe and the treats were DELICIOUS! The only “problem” I had was with the melted chocolate. I used a full 12 oz bag of semisweet chocolate chips and cautiously used the microwave—perhaps too cautiously because I had trouble spreading it to cover the entire pan of Krispie treats. I’m always so afraid of burning the chocolate in the microwave, so I think I didn’t get it to the right consistency. It hardened up fast and the pretzels didn’t stick well. Next time I will melt the chocolate in a double boiler and make sure it’s super melted. And there will be a next time because I’m serving them at my Fourth of July party next month!

    1. Hi Kim! I am so glad these turned out well for you and I hope the consistency turns out better next time! If you have any questions, please let me know! xTieghan

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you so much!!! Not just for the wonderful recipes, and this one is no exception, but for your positive attitude. I have also had a pretty rough couple of weeks, and it has taken everything I have to just get up and shake it off. As you said, it could be a million times worse. Your post, not only inspire, but also encourage, thank you.

  7. I made these tonight for a party tomorrow. Unfortunately they fell apart. 🙁 I chilled them for three hours so I don’t think that was the issue. They are delicious but I wish I knew what went wrong.

    1. Hi there! Was there anything you changed about the recipe? Any details you can give me would helpful in problem solving. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you ended up loving this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  8. So delicious and so pretty! Mine fell apart, so we are eating with spoons. Still amazing. I have no idea what I did wrong! ?

    1. Hi Zoe! I like to keep this in the fridge and then remove 10 minutes before cutting. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  9. Could you try the link for the brown Rice Krispies again? The link is not working and I’m so interested in knowing what you use. This is my next thing to make from your recipes! Thank you!

  10. 5 stars
    Hi Tieghan! Thanks for such a tasty recipe! I have a feeling these are going to be a favorite treat for us this summer! I love any recipe that doesn’t involve firing up the oven in the summer! Love the pretzel garnish for a little sweet & salty combo!

  11. 5 stars
    I make the Special K Bars from your cookbook all the time. They’re a huge hit with my family. So I’ll definitely be giving these bars a try some time this summer. Happy Friday!

  12. 5 stars
    Yum! You’ve taken the poor lowly Rice Krispie squares to a whole new level Tieghan! I just happen to have brown Rice Krispies and all the other ingredients in my pantry.(except the pretzel twists…) It’s kinda nice to get away from the whole marshmallow thing. thanks for this recipe!