With no corn syrup and no sugar-filled marshmallows in the recipe, these peanut butter rice krispy treats are a not-so-spooky snack you can feel good about making this Halloween!
Rice Krispies Treat Ghosts! Sweet, sticky, salty, and scary delicious.
Complete with little chocolate chip eyeballs. I consumed many eyeballs in the process of making these peanut buttery treats. 😕
Spooky Rice Krispies Treats
(Makes 12-16 squares)
Adapted from Homemade Rice Crispy Treats
- 3 cups rice crispies (regular, gf, or brown) (90g)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt (I used salted pb, too)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp peanut butter (or another nut butter, or sunbutter) (140g)
- 1/2 cup sticky sweetener ( (I used agave. Honey will work, but not for strict vegans. Brown rice syrup will also work, but it’s not as sweet so you might want to add a little more.)
- melted coconut butter or white chocolate (You can find vegan white chocolate online… I’m also working on a homemade recipe that is almost ready to post. Stay tuned.)
- popsicle sticks or skewers (optional)
- mini chocolate chips for the eyes (plus extras to eat while you work!)
Mix your nut butter, sweetener, and salt. Melt (either in the microwave or stove) until it can be stirred into a lump-free paste, then add the vanilla extract and pour over the cereal. Stir very well, making sure to coat all the crispies. Line a pan (8×8) with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of wax paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can. Really press it down, and use a can or book to press even more firmly! Freeze for at least 30 minutes before slicing, then insert popsicle sticks if desired. These treats can be stored in the freezer, in the fridge, or loosely covered in a cool, dry place.
View Rice Krispies Treats Nutrition Facts
And another post-bite picture:
Do you like ghost stories or scary movies?
When I was in Girl Scouts, one of my favorite parts of our camping trips was sitting around the fire and telling ghost stories. (My other favorite part was sneaking bites of the plain Hershey’s bars when we were supposed to be making s’mores. Burnt marshmallows are overrated.)
I’ve also watched Casper more times than I can count. But I scare easily and much prefer funny ghost stories to terrifying ones like The Shining or The Ring.
Link Of The Day:
Lacey @ My Boring Closet says
SO CUTE! I can’t wait to make these!
Samantha says
Very fun! I might even walk to the store for ingredients (broken car). Can you store them coated (love the coconut butter option) or do you just dip as ready to eat. 🙂 Knowing me I will just coat them and store them…but curious with your experience.
To a point I don’t mind scary/suspenseful movies, for me it is the gore I don’t do as well with and things have gotten incredibly realistic as technology has improved.
Have a great week! (I have been eating a lot of your pancakes lately)
Tanya @ Playful and Hungry says
I am pretty sure you can store them coated in the refrigerator!
Samantha says
Thanks! I ended up making the betterfingers last night instead (was a REALLY tough decision though).
🙂
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body says
These are so great! I rarely spend time decorating food, but around the holiday’s it seems that it is totally worth it! You can never go wrong with a rice krispy treat! 🙂
Eating 4 Balance says
Definitely ghost stories! Scary stories are too realistic and will have me freaked out for weeks, afraid to look in my closet. Ghosts on the other hand… I mean, who doesn’t love Casper? 😀 Do you like watching scary movies? Now, THOSE I could probably do without in my life.
Love all of the awesome Halloween treats!
Emilia says
I seriously cannot get over how adorable these are, they just make me want to smile! I’ll definitely be trying to make these (or a version of them) for halloween this year. Too cute 🙂
Melissa @ My Whole Food Life says
Super cute idea! Totally making them for my daughter. Last week we made coconut banana ghost pops! Looking forward to the vegan white chocolate recipe! I bought some on amazon and I was not impressed.
LJ Briar says
Adorable recipe!
Love both ghost stories and scary movies, but I’m picky about the movies. I’m not interested in plain slasher flicks, or the so-called horrific and, thankfully, fading, “torture porn” genre. But the Shining is one of my favourite movies of all time, and I love Insidious, Let Me In, movies like that.
Boo says
I have a halloween guest who cannot eat nuts – any sub ideas??
It is putting paid to so may CCK recipes – we have to avoid coconut too! Aargh!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sunbutter or Soynut butter or Peabutter are nut-free pb-type spreads.
Boo says
Not sure where I can get those in the UK before Saturday! Oh well. I will know for next time.
melissa @ my whole food life says
sun buttet is a good option for those with nut allergy. 🙂
melissa @ my whole food life says
sun butter I meant. Silly phone!
Freddie says
I thought you didn’t like white chocolate? But if you’ve changed your mind, that’s great because I love it!
I like ghost stories much more than scary movies. I’d say they’re better because they’re not scary, just fun, but that’s not quite true because once when I was at a sleepover with my cousins, we were sleeping out on the sundeck, next to a barbecue, so I told this story about this “hunch-backed old lady who could transform into a barbecue”, and it wasn’t really that great of a story, but within minutes of me telling the story, we all had to go back inside, because the barbecue was making these weird creaking noises, and I swear it looked like it was moving closer. Best. Sleepover. Ever.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Naw, I still don’t really like it ;). But so many people keep asking for it! (I don’t loathe it; it’s just not my first choice–or second or third–for a dessert.)
Justine says
So cute!! Do you think this would work with popped/puffed quinoa instead of rice crispies? http://healthyfamilycookin.blogspot.com/2012/04/popped-quinoa.html
Please let me know:) Thanks!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sorry, I haven’t tried it so I really don’t know.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
So freaking cute Katie! Love! This is such a simple, but perfect idea for a Halloween treat. Also, I’m super impressed that you are coming up w/ vegan white chocolate. You’re a champ!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Those are too cute! and we did the same in Girl Scouts or just sleep overs. I had one friend who was so good at telling creepy ghost stories!
Ali says
Those look so good!
Chocolate Covered Lazy says
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
[email protected] OmNom Love says
Yum! I love rice krispy treats, but I haven’t had one in forever since going gluten-free. These sound ridiculously easy and delicious! I’ll put them on my list of things to make!
I don’t actually like scary movies, but if there’s a little suspense in one it’s okay. Like, the Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, and the Hunger Games. If the genre says “suspense” or “horror” I generally don’t watch it.
Donna says
No need for deprivation with the Rice Krispy treats if you’re gluten free…so is RICE …and so are rice krispy treats…Now if we could just reduce the glycemic index factor…sigh!!
Olivia @ OmNom Love says
It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I realized that Kellogg makes a gluten-free rice krispies now. I’m putting it on the grocery list today, so (hopefully) we’ll be able to make some rice krispy treats this week. 🙂
Olivia says
EDIT: Oh my goodness these are amazing! Could hardly stop myself from eating the whole pan! Thanks for the great recipe Katie!
Lauren says
That looks really good. I’m going to try and see if I can make this for Halloween.
Alexa says
Just made these! They were super simple, and they seriously taste fantastic. I just kept them as rice crispy treats (no ghosts for me), and they are still great!
I used Better’n Peanut Butter (Low Sodium), and, because it’s a little sweeter than regular peanut butter, I cut the agave in half. Honestly, I think agave could be omitted completely if using Better’n Peanut Butter. Just the right amount of salty and sweet!
Thanks, Katie!
Teri says
It’s cute but extruded grains like in most breakfast cereal are terrible for you and have caused rapid death in test animals.
Donna says
+1,,,,Terri..as per what I’ve read recently…What do you think could be substituted here…popped quinoa perhaps?
Donna says
Sorry!…I meant to not mispell your name..Teri!…
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Please remember that people and animals are different, which is one of the reasons animal testing is so flawed. For example, raisins and chocolate are also poisonous to many animals, but obviously not to humans.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
The other problem with animal tests like the one you noted is that these animals are force fed massive quantities of the one food (and nothing else). Even if an animal were fed a diet solely consisting of broccoli, it would be unhealthy (acid poisoning). And yet broccoli is one of the healthiest foods we can eat!
But if you do try it with popped quinoa, I’d love to hear the results. Someone else was asking earlier in the comment section if it would work, and I couldn’t give her an answer because I hadn’t tried it.
New Chocolate Covered Katie fan!!! says
Sooo excited to try these!
Kayla says
Hi Katie!
I can’t wait for the white chocolate recipe, it’s my weakness. Did you hear about the Texas State Veggie Fair that took place yesterday? It was phenomenal. So much food!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I did! Unfortunately I couldn’t go, but it looked really awesome.
Justin says
These look good. I noticed your nutrition information page. Props on that! My area of expertise is nutrition so that was cool you added that in.
I noticed you mentioned using almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter. Cashew is SO good but too expensive. I can’t believe how many people have peanut allergies these days!
Melissa says
I LOVE ghost stories & scary movies! This is my favorite time of year, in fact I spent most of the day in front of the TV watching America’s Most Haunted on the Travel Channel! Wish I’d had these PB Ghosts to nibble on (note to self for next year’s AMH marathon!)
Spencer says
Another great recipe Katie. My kids would love it!
Tanya @ Playful and hungry says
Those look so cute! However, I never really liked those chewy, crispy rice treats. Never understood why all the kids loved them!
Ty/cameraphonevegan.com says
super cute and sounds yummy!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
Ah, I’m such a weakling when it comes to scary movies. I still get spooked when the TV goes all grey. I think a chick’s going to walk through the TV all backwards and drag me into her well. Darn that stupid ring movie…
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Oh my gosh these are so adorable!!! I like scary stories over movies. I think because most movies are so goorey! (Did I spell that right?)
Julia Marks says
These are so cute. How can you eat one? Or two?
I wouldn’t watch a scary movie if my life depended on it. I have. A couple of times. And that’s enough, as far as I am concerned.
Scary stories don’t scare me, though. So they’re good.
[email protected] says
These are so cute, but more importantly sound delicious! I love scary movies & ghost stories!
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says
How cute are those!!!!!! 😀
Rebecca Wright says
They sound simple & good (plus they’re just too cute) I will admit I CANNOT WAIT for the vegan white chocolate recipe though!!! Yayness!!!
Laura says
I am TOTALLY making these for my friends on Halloween! They will love it! 😀
I was never one for ghost stories, mostly because all the ones I ever heard were so cheesy!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
These are just the cutest thing!!!!
[email protected] says
These are so cute Katie! What a fun idea for Halloween 🙂
Life's a Bowl says
Tasty [and spooky] treats! Perfect for a Halloween party!!!
Anonymous says
hi, just wondering, could you use maple syrup for the “sticky sweetner”? this look SO good!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I don’t think it would be sticky enough, and they might fall apart. But you never know!
Elise says
Definitely making these for my class! (No nut allergies in my school, whew!) The kids will love them! 🙂
Bek @ Crave says
I’d say they are more adorable than scary/spooky hehe- but thumbs up for pb!
MichelleH says
Thank you, Katie! I have a sick kid today and these will be a lovely surprise for him this afternoon.
Angela says
Recipe printed. Counting down the minutes to get home and try these!
Vyvacious says
Oh boy, not going to lie. I hate scary stuff. I scare EXTREMELY easily and scream very very loud. But, lately, I’ve started wanting to feel the thrill more of getting scared. This has resulted in me going to Universal Horror Nights this Friday and attending a Night of the Living Dead show where I’ve heard tale of zombies falling into audience members.
I think I’m going to wet my pants.
So to answer your question, I don’t like either. Haha. I like going to scary events like plays, decked-out theme parks, etc. because I know they’re putting on a show…for ME 😛
Now about those cute (not spooky at all!) PB RK treats, I have yet to find a nut butter that works with my allergies, still looking! 🙂 They look deliciously cute though!
susan risdal says
I just saw this and it made me think of you and your blog. The blog is called Vihart. This concerns making a hexaflexagon into a burrito:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTwrVAbV56o&feature=colike
[email protected] says
These are so cute Katie! I live in Sydney and people here don’t go so Halloween crazy, but making these anyway…I have a big bag of puffed quinoa waiting to be used that I think I’ll sub. Love your blog!
Susan says
Super cute and super delicious!! I did have one problem though. Mine weren’t sticky enough, even after putting them back in the freezer for about an extra 45 minutes. I needed up spreading the white chocolate instead of dipping…(dipping would have been a lot funner ;))
J Lee says
You never mentioned when the white choc goes on. Do I cut them and then just dip the top into the choc? or pour the which choc on top of it? Im def making these just wanted to make sure I got it right. thanks jen
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Dip in the white chocolate. I’d freeze them first, then dip the cold bars in white chocolate or coconut butter and it’ll get firm faster.
mary margaret says
Hi
I want to make these treats with my day care kids next week–we can’t get some of the ingredients listed in the recipe here in Canada–if I make traditional rice krispie treats will it work out as well–really wanted to try out the peanut butter kind–honey something I use very often–any other suggestions
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I don’t see why not!
CarolAnn says
Where in Canada are you from? (Just wondering) I’m in a small town in NS and we can get the stuff here.
Oh, Katie, while I’m thinking about it (and I know it maybe a controversial product for some) there is a product called coconut nectar put out by Coconut Secrets that has a honey consistency if any one is interested in a sticky liquid. Just thought I’d mention it
Love your site!
Tracy says
These look so awesome!
I want to make them for a Halloween party for children but I’m worried about them sticking together.
They will have to be sitting around at room temperature for a bit, and I’m wondering if they will still be firm enough?
If not, is there something I could add or proportions I could change? Should I add in some melted white chocolate to the mixture to add firmness when at room temperature?
Thanks so much!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’m not sure… I’ve only ever kept them cold. Sorry I can’t be more helpful :-?.
Norma Tumberg says
Every time I read the word AGAVE my antennae goes up. There are so many articles on the internet that it is a very highly refined sugar, worse that HFCS. Have you researched agave? Apparently you feel it is safe or I don’t think you would use it. I do have it but am always reluctant to use it as it is so controversial.
Comments?
f says
hi,
by substituting the conventional marshmallow with honey, will these krispy treats be as sticky and chewy?
the conventional recipe calls for butter, marshmallows and krispy puffs cereal. Is there a way to make this healthier? Like substitute butter for peanut butter instead?
thanks,
Victor says
I just made these and they were amazing! If you love salty and sweet treats, this is the recipe for you this Halloween. I made these two nights ago for me and two friends as a pre-Halloween tester. They were so delicious and cute. Problem was that they were so adorable that we couldn’t stop eating them. Another thing to note is you really need to smush the pre-freezer sheet to death if you don’t want them to fall apart in the assembly phase. I didn’t head her warning to press firmly. You really need to destroy those rice crispies when you mash it down. I didn’t press firmly enough and they kept falling apart when I tried inserting the sticks. My solution was to stick a ghost then grip the whole thing around the stick and tightly close my fist around the treat-on-stick, which effectively made the ghosts look like blobular-poops or something but after dipping in white chocolate, each ghost had a totally unique identity and they looked awesome. I returned them to the freezer for just enough time for the white chocolate to harden and after I took them out they kept their shape the rest of the night. The leftovers, I returned to the fridge and we ate the next day. Thanks Katie for this awesome recipe and I will make this perfect salty-sweet, adorable-to-kill Halloween recipe!
Michelle says
These came out great, I dipped them in coconut yogurt, almond milk yogurt would probably work too! Different flavors could be adding cocoa powder to the “mask” and using goji berries, peanut butter or yogurt chips for the eyes making him a ninja! Some wanted to dress up as ghosts and some as ninjas! Huzzah!!
Emily says
I made these tonight as study procrastination! I don’t like white chocolate, so I added some green food dye and made them in to little Frankenstein’s monster faces instead 😀
SuziCat says
I just love your site! Love getting the recipes in my Inbox and always excited to read your latest creations and finds. I especially love that I don’t get multiple and annoying pop-ups when I surf through your site – and that I can click the exact recipe from the email and go straight to the recipe without any extra filtering. Thanks Katie!
tescom says
There was an error downloading the page.
Wendy Cromwell says
The ghost part of the directions seems to be missing
Vivian says
If these are wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, do you think they could be shipped and still be fresh enough they taste good? They would be in transit 2 days. Thanks!
Jason Sanford says
Yes!
Vivian says
Thanks!
Vivian says
I made these and they were too sweet for our taste. The kids liked them but not the adults so much. Today I made therm again (this time using Trader Joe’s almond butter which is not as firm as peanut butter) and I cut the honey in half. They were still plenty sweet. You might try it, too. Looking at how much honey costs (we get ours from the farmer’s market) this would save some money! Thanks for a recipe that doesn’t use corn syrup and marshmallows. I love your site.