Name: Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup unsalted butter; 10.5 ounces mini marshmallows; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal; 5.7 ounces Butterfinger candy bars (3 regular size or 9 Fun Size bars)

Jump to Recipe·4 from 6 reviews

I absolutely love sharing this Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe with friends and family because it takes a classic childhood favorite to a whole new level. The combination of crispy Rice Krispies, gooey marshmallows, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy Butterfinger pieces creates a delightful mix of textures and flavors that always brings a smile to everyone’s face. Every bite feels like a nostalgic celebration with a twist, and I’m excited for you to enjoy it as much as I do.

Why You’ll Love This Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

What makes this Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe so special to me is the perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and crunchy elements. The rich peanut butter adds a creamy depth that pairs beautifully with the buttery marshmallow mixture, while the crushed Butterfingers provide bursts of chocolate and toffee crunch that truly elevate the classic treat. It’s that unexpected pop of candy that turns ordinary Rice Krispies treats into something extraordinary.

I also appreciate how simple and straightforward this recipe is to make. From melting butter and marshmallows to folding in the cereal and candy, everything comes together in less than 30 minutes. Whether you’re whipping these up for a casual family snack, a holiday party, or a kid-friendly dessert, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. I love that it requires minimal ingredients and equipment, yet delivers maximum flavor and visual appeal. Truly, this recipe stands out as one of my go-to easy, indulgent sweets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a clear glass bowl filled with pale yellow puffy rice cereal placed in the center on a white marbled surface. Around it, there is a smaller clear bowl with white mini marshmallows on the bottom left, a small bowl containing smooth light brown peanut butter near the top left, a Butterfinger candy bar in bright yellow wrapper lies below the cereal bowl, and a pile of crushed Butterfinger pieces with orange and brown colors is near the bottom right. A small piece of butter is placed to the right side near the crushed candy. A white cloth with blue stripes is in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, creating the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color. You’ll find that these straightforward items come together harmoniously to craft a deliciously chewy yet crunchy treat.

Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base without overwhelming the sweetness.
Mini marshmallows: The key to that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds depth and a smooth, nutty flavor that balances sweetness.
Rice Krispies cereal: Offers that classic crispy crunch and lightness.
Butterfinger candy bars: The star ingredient that brings a delightful toffee crunch and chocolatey goodness.

Directions

Step 1: Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray. This ensures your bars won’t stick and makes cleanup easier.

Step 2: Place the Butterfinger candy bars into a sealed plastic bag. Use a rolling pin or mallet to crush them gently; it’s okay if some pieces remain larger, as those pockets of crunch add amazing texture.

Step 3: In a large non-stick pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth. This mixture should be shiny and thick.

Step 4: Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the creamy peanut butter. Keep stirring until it’s completely melted and fully incorporated into the marshmallow mixture.

Step 5: Add the crushed Butterfinger pieces to the pot and mix gently to distribute them evenly without crushing the candy further.

Step 6: Pour in the Rice Krispies cereal and fold it into the mixture carefully, making sure every crispy piece is coated but not crushed down too much.

Step 7: Transfer the entire mix into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly using a greased rubber spatula or your hands (lightly buttered or sprayed) to press it down firmly.

Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for about one hour before cutting into squares. This resting time helps them set perfectly for clean slices and easy serving.

Servings and Timing

This Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe yields about 12 to 16 generous squares, perfect for sharing with a crowd or saving some for later. The prep time is a quick 10 minutes, and the melting and mixing process takes an additional 10 to 15 minutes. While there’s no actual cooking time, the bars require about an hour of cooling to set firmly before serving. Altogether, you’re looking at roughly 1 hour and 25 minutes from start to finish, most of which is passive cooling time.

How to Serve This Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a square snack bar with three visible layers. The base layer is light beige and appears crispy with small puffed rice pieces. The middle layer has a mix of orange and brown crumbs scattered unevenly, giving a rough texture. Small dark brown chunks are embedded throughout the bar, adding contrast. The top layer repeats the crumbly orange and brown bits, creating a textured, crunchy look. The bar rests on a white marbled surface with blurred parts of similar bars in the background. Small puffed rice pieces are scattered near the bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

One of my favorite ways to serve this dessert is simply on a platter at room temperature, letting the vibrant colors of the Butterfinger pieces peek through the golden marshmallow-coated cereal. It’s a cheerful and inviting presentation that always elicits excited smiles. To make it even more festive, I sometimes sprinkle a few extra crushed Butterfinger pieces on top before the bars cool completely for added crunch and visual appeal.

If I’m serving these at a party or special occasion, I love pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a creamy peanut butter smoothie, which complements and balances the sweetness perfectly. For grown-up gatherings, I’ve found that a light coffee or a mildly sweet dessert wine, like a Moscato, works beautifully alongside these treats. They’re great for holiday gatherings, school bake sales, or simply a cozy weeknight indulgence with the family.

Since these bars hold their shape well once cooled, I like cutting them into bite-sized squares when serving as finger food at parties or making them a bit larger for a satisfying after-dinner treat. They’re best enjoyed at room temperature to keep that perfect chewy-crunchy texture. Just storing them in an airtight container keeps them fresh for days, so you can savor them slowly or share generously.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe to suit different tastes and dietary needs. If you want to switch things up, try substituting the creamy peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter—both provide a deliciously nutty flavor with a little variety. For a fully vegan version, you can use vegan marshmallows and a plant-based butter alternative, and it still tastes fantastic!

If you’re not a fan of Butterfinger or want to mix it up, I’ve had great success replacing those candy bars with chopped Snickers, Heath bars, or even chocolate-covered toffee bits for different flavor and texture combinations. For an extra touch, sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top before the bars set. Alternatively, if you want to lighten it up, consider using puffed quinoa or a gluten-free cereal blend instead of Rice Krispies for a gluten-free treat.

For a fun twist, sometimes I toast the cereal lightly before mixing, which adds a deeper nutty taste, or gently melt the marshmallow mixture in the microwave instead of the stovetop to save time. No matter how you customize it, this recipe’s versatility means you can keep discovering new favorites while maintaining that wonderfully nostalgic feel.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Butterfinger Rice Krispies treats are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I use a sturdy plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid to keep the bars fresh and chewy. They typically stay moist and delicious for up to 4 to 5 days, but I recommend enjoying them within three days to catch the perfect texture before they start to harden.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these treats if you want to make them ahead or save them for later. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper to protect against freezer burn, then place them all in a sealable freezer bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours. The texture remains surprisingly good after freezing and thawing.

Reheating

Generally, I don’t recommend reheating Butterfinger Rice Krispies treats because they’re best enjoyed at room temperature. However, if you find them a little too firm from refrigeration or freezing, you can warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to soften them slightly. Just be careful not to overheat, or the marshmallows may become sticky and overly gooey. Let them cool just a bit before serving to restore a perfect balance between chewy and crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use regular-sized Butterfinger bars instead of Fun Size?

Yes, you can use regular Butterfinger bars. The recipe calls for about 5.7 ounces total, which is roughly three regular bars or nine Fun Size bars. Just crush them to your preferred size before mixing in. Larger chunks add more crunch, so feel free to experiment based on your texture preference.

Is it necessary to use creamy peanut butter?

Creamy peanut butter works best because it blends smoothly into the marshmallow mixture, helping create that luscious texture. However, if you prefer crunchy peanut butter, you can use it, but the final treats might have more texture and slight nutty crunch from the peanut pieces. Both taste delicious, so it depends on your preference.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Rice Krispies cereal is not gluten-free in many countries because of malt flavoring, but there are gluten-free crispy rice cereals available. Simply substitute with a certified gluten-free puffed rice cereal, and be sure the Butterfinger bars you use do not contain gluten ingredients. This way, you can enjoy a safe and tasty gluten-free version.

What is the best way to crush the Butterfinger candy?

I like placing the Butterfinger bars into a sturdy plastic bag, then gently crushing them with a rolling pin or mallet on a flat surface. If you want bigger chunks, crush lightly; for finer bits, apply more pressure. Avoid using a blender or food processor, as it can pulverize the candy too much and create powder instead of crunchy pieces.

Can I add other mix-ins to the Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix in mini chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or even a handful of M&Ms for extra color and flavor. Just add them at the step where you combine the Butterfinger pieces and cereal with the marshmallow mixture. These additions make the bars even more fun and customizable.

Conclusion

I can’t recommend this Butterfinger Rice Krispies Treats Recipe enough if you’re craving a nostalgic yet upgraded sweet treat. It’s easy to make, wonderfully flavorful, and perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without fuss. Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll find it as irresistible and comforting as I do, making it a staple recipe to keep on hand for whenever a little indulgence is needed.