Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe – No-Bake Bars Everyone Loves

Stuffani Borjat

June 20, 2025

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe bars dusted with powdered sugar

I grew up on muddy buddies and Rice Krispies treats both no-bake, both comforting, both childhood classics. So one day, I thought: why not combine them?

This Muddy Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe brings the best of both worlds. It’s crunchy, chocolatey, and coated in powdered sugar but shaped into neat little bars instead of a messy snack mix. No oven, no stress, just sweet satisfaction.

It fits right alongside favorites like my no-bake white chocolate cranberry oat clusters and the sweet surprise of these fruity pebbles cheesecake no-bake bars. Quick, fun, and just nostalgic enough.

Table of Contents

Simple Ingredients & How to Make This Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

You don’t need anything fancy to make this crave-worthy dessert—just a few pantry staples and one mixing bowl. That’s the beauty of this Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies recipe: it’s fast, foolproof, and full of texture.

Ingredients Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

Ingredients for Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted (or ½ cup for a lighter dusting)

Instructions

1. Prep everything:
Measure out all your ingredients ahead of time. This comes together fast, so it helps to have everything ready.

2. Melt chocolate and peanut butter:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

Chocolate and peanut butter mixture for Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

3. Add butter and vanilla:
Stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is silky and combined.

4. Coat the cereal:
In a large bowl, pour the chocolate mixture over the Rice Krispies. Gently fold with a spatula until each piece is coated evenly.

Coating Rice Krispies with chocolate peanut butter mix Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

5. Spread and set:
Transfer the mixture to a lined pan or baking sheet. Let it cool completely before cutting.

6. Shake in powdered sugar:
Once cooled, place pieces in a resealable bag, add powdered sugar, seal, and shake until coated. For a cleaner look, you can dust the top instead.

7. Slice and serve:
Cut into bars or squares and enjoy!

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe dessert squares served on plate

This is the kind of treat I like to prep during my kids’ homework time—and it’s ready before they finish a worksheet. For more no-bake wins, check out my no-bake white chocolate cranberry oat clusters or these fruity pebbles cheesecake no-bake bars. Quick, colorful, and always gone in a flash.

The Secret That Makes This Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe Irresistible

It’s one thing to mix chocolate, peanut butter, and cereal—it’s another to nail the texture. That’s where this Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe stands out.

Powdered Sugar = The Game Changer

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe The final shake of powdered sugar isn’t just about sweetness it’s about texture. It gives that soft finish that makes each bite feel balanced, not overly sticky or heavy. For best results, make sure the bars are completely cool before coating. Otherwise, the sugar melts into a glaze instead of forming that signature dry finish.

Why Rice Krispies > Chex (Sometimes)

Chex is classic for Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe gives this version a chewy bite that holds its shape better in bar form. It slices clean, stacks well, and still gives you that addictive crunch.

I’ve tested both, and Rice Krispies win when you want something that feels more like a dessert bar and less like snack mix. Plus, it’s easier to portion and wrap—great for gifting or storing.

If you’re a fan of cereal-based desserts, try the fun twist in my strawberry cheesecake protein bars or explore the layered sweetness in this Biscoff lasagna recipe. Both celebrate sweet structure and nostalgic flavors—just like this one.

Serving & Storing This Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

These bars are perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or late-night snacking. I like slicing them into clean squares, but you can also break them into clusters and drop them in cupcake liners fun and mess-free.

Pair them with something rich like these two-ingredient air fryer brownies for a no-bake dessert spread that always gets compliments.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before sealing to keep the crunch.

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FAQs Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

  1. How do I store leftovers?

    Keep your Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Avoid the fridge—it can make the bars too hard.

  2. Can I use other cereals?

    Yes! While Rice Krispies give the best crunch for this version, you can experiment with Chex, Cornflakes, or even puffed rice.

  3. Is this recipe gluten-free?

    It can be! Just double-check that your cereal and powdered sugar are labeled gluten-free. Some brands include hidden wheat.

  4. How can I prevent clumping?

    Let the bars cool completely before adding powdered sugar. If it’s still warm, the sugar will melt instead of coating.

  5. Can I make this recipe nut-free?

    Absolutely—swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or any nut-free alternative for a safe, allergy-friendly version.

Conclusion Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe

This Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe is everything I love in a dessert easy, nostalgic, and wildly satisfying. It comes together in minutes, travels well, and disappears even faster.

Whether you’re sharing it with friends or sneaking a square after the kids go to bed, it’s the kind of treat that makes life feel a little sweeter without a lot of effort.

Print
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Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe bars dusted with powdered sugar

Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies Recipe – No-Bake Bars Everyone Loves

  • Author: Stuffani Borjat
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A no-bake dessert bar that combines the sweet crunch of Rice Krispies with a chocolate-peanut butter hug and a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for parties, school snacks, or a quick treat that everyone will love.


Ingredients

Scale

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

2 cups chocolate chips

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (or 1/2 cup for light dusting)


Instructions

1. Measure out the Rice Krispies, chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.

3. Add butter and vanilla to the warm mixture and stir until fully combined.

4. Pour mixture over the Rice Krispies and gently fold until all cereal is coated.

5. Transfer the mix to a parchment-lined pan or baking sheet. Let cool completely.

6. Once cooled, place pieces in a resealable bag, add powdered sugar, seal, and shake to coat. Or, lightly dust on top.

7. Slice into bars or squares and serve!


Notes

Let bars cool completely before adding powdered sugar to avoid melting.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can be frozen for up to 1 month and thawed before serving.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: Muddy Buddy Rice Krispies recipe, no-bake cereal bars, chocolate peanut butter snack

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